Crisis Support Advocate

Description

Job Overview

Responsible for promoting safety, security, and cleanliness of the shelter. Provide empowerment based, survivor-focused crisis intervention, conflict resolution, safety planning, and support for survivors in the shelter and on the hotline. 

Responsibilities and Duties

• Present, friendly, and welcoming throughout the shelter.
• Intakes for Shelter that provides interview that assesses for risk and safety planning 
• Help with belongings and provides a tour of shelter
• Provide survivor focused, trauma informed crisis intervention
• Document survivor services in database 
• Prepare rooms for new intakes, which includes packing and cleaning and Laundry 
• Maintain health standards of the facility. Ensure cleanliness of shelter common areas, including communal refrigerators and dining areas.
• Request, Sort and restock donations.
• Provide information/referrals and personal advocacy services to survivors as needed in person and on the hotline
• Exit interviews
• Transportation
• Pet Program coordination and assistance 
• Family Activities 
• Outreach contacts-Roberta/RC Harrison cards
• Make participant files 
• Accompaniment and advocacy to Adults and children during community agency meetings 
• Clerical duties-update spreadsheets, monthly reports, update resident documents 1% • Monitor security cameras and entrance gates
• Process after hours and Weekend Injunctions for Protection 
• Report maintenance concerns for follow up
• Provide basic needs- food, personal care items, health needs, and clothing 
• Provide shelter orientation group 
• Pick up and sort mail 
• Attend weekly case conference 
• Attend regularly scheduled supervision 
• Assists with food service and daily nutrition count 
• Answers the crisis hotline, text and chats, assesses for risk, and plans for safety. 
• Provides callers and residents of the shelter with resources, information/referrals, DV education, and emotional support. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 
• Attend trainings pertinent to the profession.

Accountability: Areas in which the position is accountable/responsible

• Quality Control: Has high accountability for quality-of-service participants receive. 
• Records: Accountable for ensuring records and documentation are accurate and current. 
• Policies/Procedures: Recommends policy/procedures updates for the agency manual. Assists in implementing new guidelines and procedures.

Supervision Responsibility:

• None

Business-Related Contacts:

• External contacts: Has contact with Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Courts for Injunctions for Protection. Has contact with law enforcement, emergency response agencies regarding participant needs.

Requirements

Education/Training/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in behavioral science preferred or two years of related social service experience.

Specialized or technical educational requirements:

• Must have knowledge of community resources

Certification or Licensing Requirements

 FCADV Competency-Based Core training plus an additional 6 hours of individualized training (30 hours total) to qualify for privilege status; must successfully pass written test

• Valid Florida Driver’s License with at least two years driving experience, active automobile insurance and an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report.
• Must be able to pass and maintain a Level II background check
• Must be eligible to be sworn as a Deputy Clerk of The Circuit Court

Specialized equipment or machines used:

• Computer skills are required

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
• This position requires verbal communication on the telephone and on an individual basis. May require local travel transporting participant to appointments, etc. Position requires documenting case files and compiling reports. The position requires using hands and walking occasionally. Sitting is required frequently. Vision is required for viewing documents and talking/hearing is required most of the time. Lifting up to 10 pounds is required occasionally for helping participants with possessions, carrying supplies, etc.

Work Environment:

• The environment is typically in an office setting with moderate noise. There is occasional exposure to the outdoors when transporting individuals. 
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Remarks:

This position requires the following:

• Demonstrates maturity and good judgment.
• Must be able to work with a culturally diverse community with sensitivity and professionalism.
• Knowledge of domestic violence and victim issues, including advocacy activities, statutes and impact on children.
• Understands and maintains confidentiality of shelter activities and participants at all times. 
• Reliable transportation required.

Behavior Expectations:

The expectation is that each team member demonstrates knowledge of our company culture code and works in a way that aligns with our 15 fundamental behaviors. Our Guiding Principles are at the beginning of our culture code guidebook,

We are…

Survivor-Focused and Empowerment Based. The diverse voices of survivors inform the decisions we make. Survivors are encouraged to heal and move forward at the pace they set.

Collaborative. Collaboration with our community partners helps create better outcomes for survivors while also ensuring knowledge of the services we provide.

Diverse & Inclusive. Our team reflects the diversities of our community and the survivors we serve. We establish spaces and services that are supportive of all people.

A Great Place to Work. People love to work here. We develop the potential of our staff and support their growth as leaders in this work.

Honest & Ethical. We are transparent. We deliver on our promises. Each dollar we receive is used for its intended purpose and its greatest good.

A Safe Space. Safety leads each interaction with survivors.

Advocates. We tirelessly advocate for survivor safety, abuser accountability, and improving the overall system in our community.