Shelter Advocate- Casual

The Young Women's Christian Association of Kalamazoo, Mich • Kalamazoo, MI

18h • Onsite

About The Position

The Shelter Advocate provides crisis intervention and creates a safe and welcoming environment for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking and their children by providing emotional support, connecting residents to resources, and facilitating activities in shelter to build community.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Must pass criminal, child abuse and neglect, and sex offender background checks.
• Demonstrated ability to manage conflict and adept at de-escalation techniques
• Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to be empathetic and establish rapport.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in human services or related field or specialized training in domestic violence preferred.
• One-year experience in crisis intervention and residential service preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides crisis intervention and individual support.
• Answers agency crisis line and responds to client crisis needs.
• Links clients with community resources.
• Maintains confidential, accurate, and timely client records and documentation.
• Monitors building and shelter security systems and procedures.
• Provides admittance and intake of shelter residents; arranges alternate shelter, as needed.
• Coordinates and facilitates shelter programming activities including, but not limited to: field trips, recreational outings, in-shelter activities, co-location of community resources, and holiday celebrations.
• Assists in activities related to daily shelter operations.
• Completes cleaning tasks assigned during scheduled shifts.
• Assures necessary maintenance and custodial functions, as needed.
• Safeguards confidential information gained as a result of the position.
• Complies with applicable local, state and federal licensing requirements / certification and or regulations.
• Complies with Association policy regarding required reporting of child abuse, elder abuse, suicide and homicide.
• As a YWCA employee, projects a positive image of the Association and its programs to the community.
• Attends all team and staff meetings, participates in collective team and agency efforts, and complies with all YWCA Kalamazoo policies and practices.
• Remains flexible and manages changing priorities on a continuing basis.
• Knows and adheres to Association policies, procedures, and practices.
• Safeguards confidential information gained because of the position.
• Works cooperatively with program participants, YWCA staff and volunteers.
• Completes special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Orientation to YWCA Personnel Policies, Mission, Purpose and One Imperative.
• Orientation to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Confidentiality, Mandatory Reporting.
• Other appropriate training and in-service which will occur during employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED