Children’s Services Coordinator - Domestic Violence Shelter

Equinox Inc•City of Albany, NY

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Equinox is a non-profit human services organization in the Capital Region with over 40 years of experience providing innovative and effective programs that change lives. Equinox is Albany County’s primary provider of services for victims of domestic violence, offering safety, support, assistance, and tools for victims and their dependent children to escape abusive situations and take control of their lives. Domestic Violence Services are available to all victims and their dependent children, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. The Children’s Services Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the needs of children residing in the shelter are met. This includes coordinating with parents, shelter staff, and community resources to meet the children’s daily educational, medical, recreational, social, and creative needs. The role involves organizing and implementing daily age-appropriate children's activities and groups, and coordinating recreational activities for parents and children.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent with a minimum of four years’ experience in human services.
Minimum of one year experience working with children.
Must have a clean, valid NYS Driver License.
Ability to negotiate stairs.
Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 25 lbs.
Ability to handle basic facility emergencies.
Ability to drive and transport clients with agency vehicles.

Nice To Haves

Associates’ Degree in a human service-related or child-oriented field preferred with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in human services OR a Bachelor’s Degree in a human service-related or child-oriented field preferred with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in human services.
Fluency in Spanish and/or an additional language.
One year case management/crisis intervention experience.
Prior residential experience.
Prior experience working with domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, human trafficking, mental health, or substance abuse populations preferred.

Responsibilities

Completes needs assessments and service plans with parents for children’s needs and works with parents to alleviate barriers to success.
Enrolls or re-enrolls children of residents into school immediately upon admission and coordinates with Homeless/School Liaison.
Develops and maintains good working relationships with community services, connects residents to appropriate community services, and assures that local service organizations are aware of the services provided by the shelter.
Communicates and coordinates with all shelter staff regarding children’s needs.
Works with individual children and groups of children to provide developmentally appropriate, social, and recreational activities and programs.
Provides information about child development and parenting techniques to parents.
Ensures parents are informed and compliant with safe sleep practices.
Provides child care for residents when needed.
Researches, develops, organizes, and maintains program and activity resource files.
Maintains all toys, games, art and craft supplies at the shelter, ensuring they are stored properly and safely, and that playrooms are maintained and clean.
Answers the 24-hour hotline, providing telephone counseling, information and referral, conducting shelter intakes, and assisting residents of the shelter as needed.
May represent the agency in formal and informal groups related to domestic violence services.
Enters relevant notations in logs and case notes, and communicates resident information to other staff.
Attends supervision and other meetings as required.
Reports suspected cases of child abuse/maltreatment as a mandated reporter.
Acts in accordance with Equinox and Domestic Violence Services Program mission.
Completes other assigned duties for the enhancement and continuation of programming.