Shelter Advocate in Saint Paul, Minnesota at Women's Advocates

Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, Women’s Advocates is known to many as the first shelter in the nation for people of all backgrounds fleeing domestic violence. Today, Women’s Advocates offers a robust continuum of safety services, including violence prevention education, phone-based crisis intervention, emergency help for victim-survivors escaping violence, and sustained safety, advocacy, and housing stability support as they begin their journey to a safer, more independent life. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.wadvocates.org

This position provides professional-level advocacy services to women and families experiencing domestic violence. The Shelter Advocate is responsible for providing crisis counseling and intervention, information, support and referrals to individuals calling Women’s Advocates’ 24-hour crisis line. Additionally, the Shelter Advocate ensures residents receive meals and that the facility remains clean and safe in the absence of food and facilities personnel.

This position is a full-time, non-exempt, in office position. This position is eliegible for benefits including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 403b retirement plan and more. The budgeted hourly rate for this position is: $24.50.

We are hiring two people in this role, and the details of the work schedule are below:

This position:

1. Complies with all policies and procedures related to Paid Time Off (PTO) requests as well as schedule changes. This includes communicating all schedule changes to their supervisor.
2. Stays at work until they are relieved by another advocate.
3. Is solution focused.
4. Is comfortable working alone on any shift.
5. Participates in on the on-call rotation for any shift.
6. Helps facilitate (Crisis Resource Advocate) CRA monthly meetings; taking notes, assists with the agenda items, facilitates meeting all together, encouraging others to attend.
7. Ensures all essential duties listed in the front office are completed each shift, in addition to the essential duties listed below.

1. Screens and assesses callers and residents for immediate safety needs.
2. Develops safety plans over the phone and in person.
3. Provides counseling, advocacy, and crisis intervention services to residents and callers.
4. Answers the Resources email, as assigned.
5. Provides information and referrals for Orders for Protection (OFPs), Harassment Restraining Orders (HROs), and the Address Confidentiality Program.
6. Assists callers in securing shelter space through the Day One database system.
7. Serves as a point of contact and support agency collaboration with Day One.
8. Provides resources and referrals for legal, medical, financial, housing, education, transportation, and other community services.
9. Documents and tracks all calls, services, resources, referrals, and resident interactions in Client Track and other required systems.
10. Maintains thorough documentation of significant shift-related events and resident concerns, communicating relevant information to advocates and managers through Daily Logs, Case Notes, and email.
11. Screens, accepts new participants into shelter, and completes initial intake. Accurately enters and enrolls new participants in ClientTrack.
12. Maintains documentation for the resident transportation program.
13. Enforces policies and engages in crisis-intervention and de-escalation with shelter residents while utilizing a compassionate, trauma-informed approach.
14. Maintains and organize the Resource Center library and resource materials.
15. Maintains the clothing closet as needed, including organizing, completing inventory, and ordering clothing.
16. Responds to phone calls received during scheduled shifts within one hour.
17. Supports data collection efforts, surveys, and reporting related to crisis line services.
18. Assists arriving and departing residents with storing, labeling, and packing belongings.
19. Writes and distributes shelter notices to residents (re: curfew changes, communicable illnesses, etc.).
20. Ensures residents receive meals upon request and tracks children's meals in accordance with grant requirements.
21. Keeps resident need items stocked and available for distribution upon request.
22. Ensures common areas are clean and assists with facilities laundry as needed.
23. Reviews facility-related concerns and communicates maintenance needs to the Facilities Manager.
24. Works closely with and mentors part-time Crisis Response Advocates (CRAs).
25. Complies with all agency security, confidentiality, and safety protocols.
26. Participates in and seek out trainings related to domestic violence advocacy, crisis intervention, case management, data collection, and professional development.
27. Demonstrates the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, manage a variety of tasks, and work independently.
28. Performs other duties as assigned by Shelter Managers, the Director, or other supervisory staff.

1. Two years of experience working with vulnerable individuals, families and children.
2. Extensive knowledge of local resources
3. Two years of experience with managing crisis calls
4. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
5. Good computer skills with demonstrated ability in Microsoft office products and database entry.
6. Ability to multitask, prioritize, handle a variety of tasks and be self-directed.
7. Ability to handle client, administrative and personnel information with complete confidentiality.
8. Be able to reach, bend, stoop and lift up to 30 pounds.
9. Must be able to safely navigate multiple stairways throughout the workday to access work areas and perform essential job duties.
10. Ability to work effectively across difference.
11. Demonstrated experience with and/or commitment to intercultural development and anti-racism work in the workplace.
12. Commitment to actively contributing to the organization being a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
13. If driving for WA, valid driver’s license is required.
14. Criminal background check is required for this position.
15. Second language preferred.