Shelter Advocate

Family Life Center

Shelter Advocate Job Description
Position reports directly to: Domestic Violence Coordinator
Positions reporting directly to this position: None

Location: Emergency Shelter
Overtime eligibility status: Overtime – eligible
Base Salary: $20.00 per hour
Classification: Part time or Full time

Work Experience/Education Requirements:
High School diploma or its equivalent required. An Associate’s Degree in a social service related field and/or experience working in the domestic violence, sexual violence or relatable field preferred.
The Shelter Advocate shall complete a Level 2 background screening devoid of a disqualifying offense prior to employment and every three years thereafter.

Job Summary:
The Shelter Advocate provides direct services, referrals and support to primary and secondary survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault involved in the Family Life Center Emergency
Shelter program, providing comprehensive support services to include, but not limited to, emergency services, intakes and departures, crisis helpline coverage, crisis intervention counseling, advocacy, education, support groups, basic needs assistance, emotional support and referrals for other services.
May also assist in provision of services in other programs. Must be available to work varying shifts, including evenings, over-nights, weekends, holidays and on-call shifts.

Duties and Responsibilities and Approximate Time Spent Performing Each:
83% of Time 1. Provide direct services (i.e. hotline crisis counseling, personal advocacy
(83% VOCA) and emotional support, safety planning, etc.) to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking or sexual assault, within the guidelines and policies of the agency, grant contracts, regulatory bodies and government statutes.

● 20% of Time Crisis Counseling. (20% VOCA)

● 20% of Time Information & Referrals. (20% VOCA)

● 20% of Time Case Management (20% VOCA)

● 20% of Time Advocacy (20% VOCA)

● 3% of Time Other Services (3% VOCA)

5% of Time 2. Assist with crime victim compensation applications.
(5% VOCA)

5% of Time 3. Complete programmatic documentation and reports as required within the
(5% VOCA) guidelines and policies of the agency, grant contracts, regulatory bodies and government statutes.

2% of Time 4. Provide training/onboarding assistance to new direct service personnel to
(2% VOCA) ensure quality direct service provision to victims through implementation of the guidelines and policies of the agency, grant contracts, regulatory bodies and government statutes.

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2% of Time 5. Complete all mandatory training requirements within the guidelines and
(2% VOCA) policies of the agency, grant contracts, regulatory bodies and government statutes.
3% of Time 6. Other VOCA allowable duties relating to crime victim services, as
(3% VOCA) required.

Total Time: 100%
VOCA Funded Time: 100%

The above job duties are given examples and are not exclusive of other duties.

Problem Solving Skills:
The position requires the ability to work with survivors of all ethnic backgrounds and ages. Must be sensitive to the problems of families who come from a battering environment. Must be flexible in duties and hours worked. This position requires the ability to foster a spirit of teamwork and unity among department members that allows for disagreement over ideas, conflict and expeditious conflict resolution, and the appreciation of diversity as well as cohesiveness, supportiveness, and working effectively together to enable each employee and the department to succeed.

Prohibited Function
Does not respond to media requests.

Knowledge and Skills:
1. Position requires an energetic, independent, self-motivated individual with the ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines.
2. Individual must be an articulate speaker with a good vocabulary. Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, listening skills and conflict resolution skills.
3. Individual must have the ability to perform calmly in crisis situations.
4. Individual must understand and promote non-violent issues and be sensitive to the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault in our society.
5. Individual must be or become skilled in group dynamics as well as in providing individual peer-to-peer crisis intervention counseling.
6. Individual must advocate for the mission of the organization and uphold the agency’s values.
7. Individual must be organized and detail oriented, able to manage multiple priorities, and able to work independently with minimal direct supervision; must also be able to work cooperatively as a member of a team.

8. Individual must have or gain knowledge in the area of domestic violence laws, sexual violence laws, child abuse laws, Florida Statutes covering injunctions for protections, court procedures, victim rights, victim compensation requirements, address confidentiality and relocation assistance.

9. Individual must work and communicate in a time efficient, professional manner with survivors, co-workers, community partners and the general public of a culturally diverse community.

10. Individual must have or gain knowledge of the effects of domestic violence on children.
11. Individual must be proficient in the use of computers and business software, including but not limited to Microsoft Office.
12. Individual must have or gain knowledge of community resources for survivors.

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13. Individual must have good listening skills and interact with survivors in a caring and professional manner.

14. Individual must have or gain knowledge of agency forms and agency approved statistical database.

15. Individual must have or gain knowledge of Telelanguage Line translator services and TTY hearing impaired phone system.

16. Individual must be goal oriented with the ability to attain development objectives.
17. Individual must have the skill and ability to: interact and communicate effectively with children and adults from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds; react with flexibility and sensitivity to changing situations and needs; effectively carry out written and oral instructions; maintain cooperative work relationships.

Agency Requirements:
Employees of Family Life Center will:
1. Continuously uphold and support the agency's survivor focused, empowerment based philosophy by providing equal opportunity for individual choice and by making educational information available to all survivors.

2. Act as an advocate to survivors when communicating or partnering with other service organizations by providing education and reducing the incidents of judgments, blame or any other unethical communication or practice.

3. Maintain appropriate and healthy boundaries with survivors and co-workers.
4. Continually challenge themselves and their co-workers to improve services and act in the best interest of survivors.
5. Continually strive to maintain cultural competence.
6. Recognize that societal oppressions such as racism, sexism and homophobia occur daily and strive to eliminate the negative impacts of these oppressions on survivors.
7. Maintain a professional demeanor reflecting positively upon the Family Life Center and the participants we serve at all times.
8. Dress professionally and appropriately represent the Family Life Center and the participants we serve with integrity.
9. Strive to continually educate yourself and maintain current knowledge of the dynamics of sexual violence and domestic violence and the impacts on survivors and children.
10. Provide feedback to Family Life Center that seeks to improve services and increase the accessibility of our services.

Responsibilities to Survivors:
Employees of the Family Life Center will:
1. Treat all participants with consideration, respect, and with full recognition of their human dignity and individuality.
2. Provide care, and services that are adequate, appropriate, and in compliance with relevant state, local, and federal laws and regulations.
3. Ensure that survivors are notified and involved in all decisions that impact them, their legal cases, that status within services and their families.
4. Ensure survivors are involved in all goal setting and plans to meet their individual needs.
5. Not share survivor information with anyone without their expressed written consent.

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6. Maintain strict confidentiality regarding the survivors situation and ensure survivors have the right to deny the release of information to anyone for any reason at any time.

7. Provide survivors with an explanation of services in accordance with their goals and action plans.

8. Ensure survivors have the right and opportunity to object to, or terminate, any goals or actions.
9. Treat survivors in a manner that is ethical and free from abuse, mistreatment, exploitation, and/or physical restraint.
10. Not discriminate based on race, creed, color, age gender, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, disabilities, and any other classification prohibited under state or federal law including the American with Disabilities Act, 28 CFR 35, and the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. –
3604.

11. Provide survivors information on any center guidelines that apply to them.
12. Ensure all reasonable requests are responded to promptly and adequately within the capacity of the center; and provide access to the center’s grievance procedure.

Continuing Education:
Must comply with all mandatory domestic violence, sexual violence, and other training as required by the Florida Department of Children & Family, the Family Life Center and/or other funding sources.

Working Conditions:
The individual will work in a climate controlled, non-smoking area which complies with the Florida
Clean Indoor Air Act. Typically the worker sits at a desk or table. However the position may require regular walking, standing and stooping based on work functions. Occasionally individuals may be required to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Individual may work for sustained periods of time resulting in a required concentration of attention to detail.
All positions require flexibility in working hours and duties.

All duties and requirements listed in the job description are essential job functions and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

This position does not create an employee contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

All Employees of Family Life Center are expected to demonstrate a commitment to promoting diversity and equality, professional ethics and standards, flexibility and teamwork, and protection of confidentiality.

By signing the Statement of Understanding below, I:

● Pledge my commitment to the Family Life Center values of Accountability, Integrity, Caring
Attitude, and Trust.

● Pledge to strive to practice these principles daily in my work in order to create an atmosphere where survivors are heard and responded to appropriately.

● Agree to be personally responsible and accountable for my actions and behaviors in order to create a responsible environment.

● Recognize that providing and supporting quality survivor services is the priority and my actions, attitude, and involvement should positively impact every survivor’s experience.

ADA:
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Must be physically mobile and able to sit, stand, bend, stoop, and lift 20 pounds. Family life Center complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and supports the Deaf or Hard-of-hearing in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Family Life Center is an equal opportunity employer. We adhere to a policy of making employment decisions without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin disability, sexual orientation, or marital status. We assure you that your opportunity for employment with us depends solely upon your knowledge, skills, and abilities.

I do/do not (circle one) need any accommodations to complete my work as described above.

If yes, please describe: _____________________________________________________________

Statement of Understanding:
I have read and fully understand the responsibilities of this position.

Employee Signature:_________________________________ Date:_________________

Supervisor Signature:_________________________________ Date:__________________

CEO Signature:_____________________________________ Date:__________________

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Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 32 per week

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance

Patient demographics:

• Adults
• Children

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Every weekend
• Morning shift
• Night shift
• Overnight shift

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)
• Night Shift (Required)
• Overnight Shift (Required)

Work Location: In person