Relief/On Call Residential Advocate

Volunteers of America Colorado•Durango, CO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Relief Residential Advocate protects the physical and emotional well-being of shelter residents, provides crisis intervention, and supervises volunteers as assigned. The role supports residents through intake, individual counseling, goal-setting, trauma-informed care, daily supervision, and referral resources. The advocate also helps maintain a safe, comfortable, and orderly facility; documents client observations and program activities; and participates in on-call coverage. The position serves the Durango Community Shelter and Southwest Safehouse in Durango, Colorado, and may include overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts.

Requirements

Two years of experience in human services or a related area.
Valid Colorado driver’s license; must pass a background check, credit check, and driving record check.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office products and the Windows environment.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong organization and problem-solving skills.
Ability to perform routine lifting and cleaning and to walk up and down stairs.
Ability to perform the listed physical activities, including lifting 30 to 50 pounds, and work in indoor and outdoor environments.
Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience with the relevant population is preferred.
Knowledge of, or a strong willingness to learn about, poverty, human service government programs, VOAC services, homelessness, aging, veterans, at-risk youth, and supporting vulnerable people.
Demonstrates VOACO’s AIRS attributes: Accountability, Integrity, Respect, and Service.
Models and pursues VOAC’s HHS virtues: Hungry, Humble, and People Smart.
Demonstrates servant leadership, open communication, compassion, and commitment to a nourishing, truthful, approachable, joyful, and healthy environment.

Responsibilities

Protect residents’ physical and emotional well-being within program guidelines.
Support general client and house maintenance, including supplying linens and personal items, implementing chore schedules, conducting bed checks, enforcing curfew and other rules, checking chore completion, setting and checking alarms, and checking building clearance during fire drills.
Provide weekly individual counseling, help clients identify goals, and support implementation of a plan.
Provide trauma-informed care.
Conduct intake interviews with new clients, complete required documentation, and determine whether clients are appropriate for admission.
Answer crisis and emergency hotlines, maintain related records, and identify agencies as possible referral resources for callers and residents.
Attend weekly staff meetings and required in-service training, and meet periodically with the Program Manager to exchange information and provide input.
Observe clients’ daily behavior and document observations in case notes; complete daily shift notes and notes on group sessions conducted.
Maintain the facility as a comfortable and orderly environment and provide direct crisis intervention services.
Conduct house and group meetings as assigned.
Supervise and train new employees and volunteers as assigned.
Give educational presentations to community groups, attend professional meetings when requested, and conduct on-site tours.
Maintain shift logs and other required paperwork.
Perform responsibilities in accordance with the Social Work Code of Ethics.
Incorporate guest voice into program evaluation and improvement.
Participate in an on-call rotation with other Advocates, Senior Managers, and the Senior Director.
Perform other duties as assigned.