Residential Advocate

Jewish Social Service Agency•Rockville, MD

About The Position

The Residential Advocate provides trauma-informed support and direct assistance to women and children who are survivors of domestic violence, promoting their health, safety, and well-being in a residential center. Positions are available on day, evening, and overnight shifts, which may include weekend hours. Residential Advocates are essential employees and are expected to report during weather emergencies or other unusual events. They must remain at the center until relieved by another responsible staff member, and the building must always have responsible staff on duty. The role supports residents’ daily needs and safety, assists with admissions, orientation, meals, household tasks, activities, transportation, and service plans, and maintains accurate shift and client records. Overnight advocates also conduct hourly wellness checks and safety rounds.

Requirements

High school degree required.
Valid driver’s license with fewer than three points.
Two years’ experience with mental health or substance abuse preferred.
Domestic violence or shelter setting experience is a strong plus.
Oral fluency in Spanish preferred.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Social Science, Health and Human Services, Social Work, or a counseling field.
Two years’ experience with mental health or substance abuse.
Domestic violence or shelter setting experience.
Oral fluency in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Provide direct support and assistance to shelter residents to promote health and safety, including walking hallways, ensuring children are safe and occupied, and keeping bathrooms and common areas clean.
Respond to calls about new admissions from the Crisis Center or Abused Persons Program; welcome new residents, assist with orientation and intake, address immediate needs, and assist with admissions and discharges.
Assist with providing nutritious meals and snacks according to schedule, including meal preparation, setup, and cleanup with residents.
Keep the facility clean and orderly, enlist residents and other advocates in routine chores, prepare vacated rooms for new residents, do laundry, and alert the Residential Services Coordinator to repair or maintenance needs.
Coordinate activities and assist residents with daily living tasks and concrete service plans while ensuring safety, cleanliness, and order; respond to residents’ immediate needs and act as a liaison with counseling staff.
Transport residents to appointments and other destinations as needed using a program vehicle, tokens, or taxi vouchers, including court, medical, social services, housing agency appointments, and retrieving belongings left behind.
Assist with childcare duties as requested and support weekly recreational and leisure activities, as well as seasonal events such as the Holiday Store, Summer Camp, and birthday celebrations.
Read the current log at the start of each shift and prepare neat, timely, and accurate client notes, shift log notes, and critical incident reports.
Assist at Community Meetings to discuss resident concerns and foster a sense of community.
Provide supportive assistance to residents in developing life skills identified in their service plans.
Assist with sorting, storing, and distributing donations to the center.
For overnight shifts, conduct wellness checks and facility safety rounds every hour.