Program Specialist & Shelter Advocate

Internal candidates will be given preference.

Program Specialist II 50%

Responsible for the overall coordination of the 80-hour volunteer training for Mountain Crisis Services and Valley Crisis Center. Responsible for facilitating educational trainings to community partners and attending community events. Provides support and assists MCS programs such as legal advocacy, peer counseling, data entry, along with other reception and administrative duties as assigned.

Shelter Support 50%

Responsible for crisis line response, crisis intervention, data entry, advocating for survivors and their pets, and conducting orientation of survivors of domestic violence & sexual assault upon entering the Safe House.

This position is expected to work Wednesday-Sunday, 6 hours/day, schedule TBD

Essential Duties

Responsible for the 80-hour Volunteer Training:

• Coordinate/Facilitate volunteer training and activities at Mountain Crisis Services and Valley Crisis Center.


• 80 Hour DV/SA training: coordination of guest speakers, compiling training manuals, outreach and recruitment, etc.

Community Outreach and Education:

• Attend/Table community events.


• Responsible for facilitating community education trainings.


• Assist with the Clothesline Project, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Denim Day.

Reception Duties:

• Answer crisis line, assess needs, and forwards calls to appropriate staff.


• Ensure new client files and intake paperwork supply is replenished.


• Data entry


• Type correspondence, reports, and forms.


• Assist staff with bulk mailing and copying projects.

Database Management:

• Assist Program Director in maintaining and updating forms associated with data collection as grant objectives change.

Shelter Case Management, Crisis Intervention, & Advocacy:

• Respond to victims to reduce levels of trauma and provide support in a way that reflects the agency’s mission and values.


• Assess the severity and immediate needs of walk-in clients, call-outs, and crisis calls during regular business hours.


• Answer crisis line calls, assessments for services, provide referrals, and complete necessary documentation.


• Respond to calls requesting an advocate from clients, law enforcement, medical facilities, and other social service providers when it is appropriate and safe to do so.


• Assist Shelter Coordinator with conducting orientation of new clients entering the shelter.


• Develop a self-sufficiency plan and goals to help clients address their needs.


• Provide transportation when necessary and safe.


• Maintain the confidentiality of client information included in files, conversations or obtained from written sources.


• Provide one-on-one and group support to clients as needed.


• Conduct educational classes as assigned.


• May provide Childcare for groups or classes as requested by Shelter Lead and Program Director.


• Facilitate house meetings at request of the Shelter Coordinator.


• Relay information about client issues and occurrences during the night to morning staff through written documentation and verbally if possible.


• Communicate with law enforcement or other agencies as needed.


• Enforce Shelter/Transitional guidelines/rules.


• Adhere to MCS values and mission statement.


• Keep up on current available resources to clients.


• Represent MCS in the community in a professional and competent manner.


• Respond to crises after hours and weekends through the crisis hotline or in person.

Shelter & Transitional Housing Security:

• Ensure the safety of the shelter buildings and residents through patrol of the property at regularly scheduled intervals and before the end of the shift.


• Investigate all unusual sounds, disturbances, and intrusions.


• Respond to shelter office phone calls and visitors/clients at the door.


• Call law enforcement as necessary.


• Check in with residents at shelter at curfew and as needed throughout the shift.


• Report any client issues or unusual incidents to Shelter Lead and Program Director.

Additional Responsibilities

• Regularly communicate with staff and community partners to ensure ongoing and effective communication between Programs.


• Answer multiple phone lines.


• Provide drop-in Center support.


• Greet clients and community partners that walk in the office.


• Maintain forms and documents related to the functioning of the office and transportation program (including incident reports)


• Maintain communication with vendors, contractors, and community partners on behalf of the program.


• Complete data-entry for service logs.


• Help maintain office cleanliness and beautification, maintains office supply inventory, and lets PD know ordering needs.


• Stay up to date on activities and events available at the Alliance.


• Attend program and agency staff meetings when requested by Director.


• Other duties as assigned within scope of job classification.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

Education/Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED; college preferred

Knowledge of:

• 
  Office Equipment Operation, including computers, phone, fax, copier, etc.


• 
  Trauma-Informed Care


• 
  Current social, economic and health problems and of human behavior and social functioning.

Ability to:

• 
  Be accurate, reliable, punctual, well organized, careful, and thorough.


• 
  Communicate effectively orally, electronically, and in writing.


• 
  Work effectively with limited supervision and foster a team atmosphere.


• 
  Prioritize work and exercise good judgment, schedule, and management of workload.


• 
  Demonstrate comfort and expertise in operating computers and other technology.


• 
  Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, and the general public.


• 
  Analyze facts and exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.


• 
  Prepare concise reports.

Physical Requirements:

• 
  Facility to see, read, and distinguish printed and handwritten documents.


• 
  Facility to hear and understand speech at normal room levels and on the telephone.


• 
  Facility to constantly use hands and arms to input data into computer and use an adding machine.


• 
  Ability to move boxes of files from one location to another; physical agility to lift and carry up to 20 pounds, and to bend, stoop, walk, and reach overhead.


• 
  Ability to sit for extended periods of time.


• 
  Ability to concentrate for long periods of time.


• Mental acuity to perform the essential functions of this position in an accurate, neat, and timely fashion; to make good judgments and decisions; and to evaluate the results of decisions and judgments.

Other

• Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and DMV clearance.


• Must have and maintain current auto insurance.


• Can be depended upon to report consistently to work at scheduled time and is seldom absent from work.


• Notifies supervisor with appropriate notice when absent.


• Can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner and is conscientious about assignments.


• Follows instructions, responds to management direction, takes responsibility for own actions, and keeps commitments.

Note: 

This list of essential functions and physical requirements is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary in accordance with the requirements of the job. Alliance for Community Transformations adheres to the provisions of ADA regarding reasonable accommodation procedures.

Alliance for Community Transformations Values: Confidentiality, Safety, Equality, Respect, Empowerment, Personal & Professional Responsibility, Social Change Through Education & Advocacy and Sustaining Ourselves & Our Communities.

Alliance for Community Transformations is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, medical condition, or physical disability.

Benefits: 12 paid holidays, 114 hours of paid time off per year, Cafeteria Plan with Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and Retirement Benefit Options.

Mountain Crisis Services is a program of Alliance for Community Transformations.