Counselor Advocate, Overnight - Sojourn

The People Concern•Los Angeles, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Counselor Advocate, Overnight provides direct support and crisis services to adult and child survivors of domestic violence in Sojourn’s shelter programs. The role supports Sojourn’s mission of providing shelter and services without prejudice, preventing violence through nonviolence and individual empowerment, and advancing social justice. Services include hotline support, safety planning, referrals, support groups, workshops, children’s programming, and assistance connecting participants with community resources. The position maintains client documentation and program compliance, supports safe shelter operations, and coordinates with clients, staff, volunteers, community partners, and service providers. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 11:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. The role is full-time, non-exempt, non-management, and 100% onsite at Sojourn Adam’s House & Crisis Shelter in a confidential setting.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Trustworthy, honest, and a team player.
Ability to supervise shelter participants with dignity and respect, engage them positively, and troubleshoot problems as they arise.
Sound decision-making ability related to crisis response and safety planning.
Ability to work with a diverse population and practice cultural responsiveness.
Ability to communicate with the public, TPC staff, and volunteers by phone or in person.
Basic computer literacy and ability to operate basic computer functions.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Willingness to work flexible hours as needed and handle emergencies that may occur daily, nightly, or overnight.
Understanding of domestic violence survivors and their specific service needs.
Use of a personal vehicle and responsibility for carrying all auto insurance legally required in California.
Valid California driver’s license.
Willingness to receive 40-hour Domestic Violence Training.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual Spanish.
Experience in social services programs or case management, including 24-hour shelter experience.
Extensive social-services experience with direct experience providing case-management services.
Experience working in a communal-living or shelter environment.

Responsibilities

Maintain accurate progress notes and documentation of client services.
Follow program and contract requirements, confidentiality standards, HIPAA requirements, and shelter safety and crisis-intervention guidelines.
Provide direct client services, including crisis support, life-skills assistance, conflict resolution, and safety planning using trauma-informed de-escalation and mediation techniques.
Apply empowerment, harm-reduction, and trauma-informed care methodologies.
Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, resources, and eligibility screenings through Sojourn’s 24-hour domestic violence crisis hotline.
Assist participants with entering and exiting shelter programs.
Transport participants and their belongings to appointments and community resources, such as court, medical, and housing appointments, as necessary.
Facilitate support groups for adult and child participants, including life-skills, domestic-violence education, and parenting education groups.
Provide occasional childcare and life-skills support, including grocery shopping and assistance with chores and cleaning.
Ensure participants follow shelter guidelines under shelter-management supervision.
Provide resources and referrals as needed.
Maintain positive, productive relationships with clients, staff, community partners, and stakeholders, including mental-health programs, domestic-violence shelters, law enforcement, local officials, and providers serving people experiencing homelessness.
Attend staff meetings, case conferences, training workshops, and community meetings as needed.
Inventory site needs and submit facility-maintenance, IT, and supply-order requests.
Submit daily activity reports, communicate onsite activities to leadership, and ensure effective communication during shift transitions.
Participate in and conduct safety drills and routine facility checks to support compliance with county health standards.
Help maintain the shelter’s organization and cleanliness and supervise sanitary conditions in client rooms, common areas, and communal living areas.
Work with shelter management to report credible suspicions of child abuse.
Train, assist, and provide feedback to volunteers.
Handle emergencies that may occur during the day, night, or overnight, and work flexible hours as needed.