Overnight Shelter Advocate

**POSITION TITLE**:Shelter Advocate

**SUPERVISED BY**:Director of Shelter Services

Shelter Manager

**QUALIFICATIONS**:Associates degree required, Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Experience can substitute education. Must demonstrate reasonably good writing skills and must demonstrate ability to relate well with people. Must be capable of handling emergencies. Must demonstrate dependability. Must have experience working with children and families.

**GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES**:The Shelter Advocate will provide supervision for in-house clients in accordance with the mission of the Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center.

**DUTIES**: Include but not limited to
- Interview new resident clients; check in clients, and complete intake forms including an initial safety plan.
- Interview clients as they exit the shelter and provide safety-planning information, as well as insuring they are passed (warm hand off) to an outreach advocate for continued services
- Participate in back up on call cycle
- Be available to work other shifts in the case of call offs or illnesses
- Answer hotline and respond appropriately with crisis counseling, information, and referral. Complete hotline response forms. Be familiar with referral information pertinent to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, and dating violence
- Record all incoming and outgoing calls on the daily telephone log sheet, as these calls are a part of monthly reporting of grantor’s required information
- Assist staff in monitoring the clients’ situations by completing a shift log on in-house activities and reporting all direct care of clients
- Perform individual case management paperwork on all clients served, documenting significant client contacts appropriately
- Complete shift duties check list and perform all necessary tasks
- Coordinate daily, weekly, and monthly housekeeping responsibilities of the clients. Check that work has been completed
- Complete daily shift work and communicate the completion in the communication log
- Assist other staff in any client program, counseling or education
- Participate in groups, house meetings, and staff meetings
- Work with volunteers when in the facility
- Orient clients regarding shelter rules and policies
- Assist clients with clothing needs and personal supplies
- Provide peer counseling and mediation with clients
- Oversee clients’ of prescription and over the counter medication. Ensure that medication remains secured and locked at all times
- Supervise the care and maintenance of equipment and supplies
- Assist in training of new Shelter Advocates and Volunteers
- Participate in staff meetings and in-service training opportunities
- Provide crisis intervention and support to individuals seeking shelter
- Conduct intake assessments and develop individualized service plans
- Assist clients in accessing community resources and services
- Advocate for clients' rights and needs within the shelter system
- Collaborate with other staff members to ensure a safe and supportive environment
- Maintain accurate and confidential client records through data entry and file
- Perform any and all other duties as may be assigned by the Director of Shelter Services or Executive Director
- Comply with all policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors and/or Executive Director
- Achieve and/or maintain Certified Domestic Violence Advocate status
- Attend at least two (2) WVCADV advocate certification trainings each year as required by FPSB for licensure, these trainings may require travel.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Pay: $17.00 - $18.50 per hour

**Benefits**:

- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off

Patient demographics:

- Adults
- Children

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Night shift
- On call
- Overnight shift
- Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person