Community DV Advocacy Program Shelter House Attendant

Puyallup Tribe of Indians•Tacoma, WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The House Sister will provide security, care giving, emotional support, transportation, craft making, some cooking and light housekeeping for residents at the Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter. This role involves working evenings, weekends, and holidays, interacting with residents in a professional, patient, and compassionate manner, and maintaining strict confidentiality. The attendant must adhere to Domestic Violence Shelter Protocols, Policies, and Procedures, perform daily checklist tasks, and complete client services forms. They will also answer helpline calls, provide crisis intervention, information, and referrals, and serve as the first point of contact for new clients. Responsibilities include screening clients, handling intakes, providing shelter orientations, and transporting clients for various needs using department vehicles. The role also involves assisting clients with pets, following shelter pet policies, providing digital safety planning, and assisting residents with accessing resources and services. Additionally, the attendant will ensure the playroom and playground are clean, assist with Tribal and Program Outreach events, and conduct outreach activities focused on dating violence and healthy relationships for middle and high school students and their families. They will co-facilitate women's and children's groups, modeling and reinforcing non-corporal discipline, assisting residents in resolving issues, and helping with crafts. The attendant will also assist victims in developing safety plans, address intimidation issues, perform light housekeeping when residents are unable, cook meals for clients, provide childcare, and assist new residents with room setup and policy review. Attendance and active participation in weekly staff meetings and maintaining compliance with State, Federal, and Trust Board grants are also required. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

A minimum of a GED or High School Diploma is required.
Six months of domestic violence and Human Trafficking training or support group work experience and basic understanding of domestic violence dynamics is required.
Knowledge of computer applications in Word processing, Adobe, and spreadsheets is important to be able to perform job functions.
Must complete required SOAR training and be immediately SOAR Certified.
Must complete 40 hour Domestic Violence Advocacy 101 training within 6 months of hire.
Must complete 40 hour Pierce County Sexual Assault Training within 6 months of hire.
Must pass a criminal background check; must not have any felony convictions.
Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted Washington state driver’s license and proof of insurance.
Driver’s License must not contain any restrictions that would otherwise prevent an employee from driving a GSA vehicle.
Must be able to obtain and maintain First Aid/CPR training and Food Handler’s Permit.
Must be able to emotionally handle working with clients undergoing past or current trauma from domestic violence, sexual assault, Human Trafficking and other trauma.
Knowledge and understanding of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking dynamics.
Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals, children and groups.
Ability to persuade and problem solve.
Knowledge of post-traumatic stress syndrome and immediate and long terms effects of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Requires the ability to operate a typewriter, personal computer, multi-line telephone, calculator, facsimile and photocopier.
The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
The employee occasionally is required to stand and walk.
The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20-40 pounds.
Must be able to be around all types of animals/pets.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

One-year certification from a college or technical school in the Human Services field is preferred.
Digital Technology training that is DV, SA, Trafficking specific
Group Facility Training

Responsibilities

Work evenings, weekends and holidays.
Interact with and assist residents of the Domestic Violence Shelter in a professional, patient and compassionate manner.
Maintain strict confidentiality at all times regarding shelter residents and activities.
Maintain professional standard and comply with Domestic Violence Shelter Protocols, Policies and Procedures.
Make security checks according to the Domestic Violence Shelter Protocols.
Performs daily House Attendant “checklist” tasks, signs and files in Checklist Binder.
Completes Client Services forms on all contacts with clients and enters information into the database.
Answers “Helpline” calls, provides crisis intervention, information, and referrals.
Provides first point of contact with new clients.
Performs Shelter screening of clients, handles intake upon arrival and provides client with Shelter House orientation.
Provides transportation to clients for court, appointments, emergent shopping needs, support groups and events.
Will be utilizing department vehicles.
Assist clients with pets and follow shelter pet policy
Provide Digital Safety Planning and assist clients with securing their digital accounts
Respond to requests from residents to provide information about accessing resources, services, court systems and other needs.
Ensures the playroom and playground are neat, clean and in adherence with local health standards
Assist with Tribal and Program Outreach events
Assist outreach activities geared toward middle and high school students and their families focusing on dating violence, boundaries, communication, self-esteem, warning signs and identifying healthy relationships pertaining to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and/or human trafficking.
Co-Facilitate Women’s and children’s groups providing age appropriate activities to help attendees develop positive life and social skills and habits with a focus on healing, understanding healthy relationships, safety, communication, personal respect and responsibility.
Models and reinforces non-corporal discipline techniques
Assist residents to successfully resolve issues between residents and be a good listener for residents to confide in.
Assist residents, group attendees and youth with creating crafts.
Assists victim in developing a safety plan and address intimidation issues.
Assist with light housekeeping when a resident is unable to do so for themselves.
Will be cooking meals for shelter clients during assigned shift.
Provides child care at shelter and support group when needed.
Assist new residents in setting up their room and review shelter policy.
Attends and actively participates in weekly staff meetings.
Maintains compliance of State, Federal and Trust Board grants.
Performs other duties as assigned.