Advocate - on-call Kona

YWCA of Hawai'i Island; Kailua (HI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

YWCA of Hawai'i Island seeks an advocate to respond to calls, texts, and chats on a 24-hour crisis line, providing information referrals and crisis intervention to victims while protecting client confidentiality. The role includes face-to-face work with clients, police, and examiners in post-crisis procedures.

Essential duties include timely arrival at locations, maintaining confidentiality, mandatory reporting per Hawaii laws, and participation in team coordination, supervision, and training.

Qualifications

• Experience with crisis intervention or sexual assault support is preferred.
• Education in human services or related field is preferred but not required.
• Access to reliable phone during on-call hours is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Answer calls on the 24-hour crisis hotline and respond to text/chat inquiries.
• Provide information referrals and crisis intervention.
• Maintain client confidentiality and document services within 24 hours.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Written & verbal communication

Organization & deadlines

On-call readiness

Confidentiality

Background check

Drug screening

Education

Associate's degree in human services

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Position Overview

The advocate is responsible for answering calls from our 24-hour crisis hot line, answering text and chat lines, providing information referrals and crisis intervention to callers and text/chat victims, protecting client confidentiality, providing program services face to face with client, police, and examiner in forensic and investigation procedures after sexual assault or crime served by the Children’s Justice Center.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Arrive at designated locations in a timely manner, according to program procedures.
• Protect client confidentiality, observing the client’s right to the Victim/Counselor privilege defined in Hawaii Rules of Evidence.
• Understand, interpret, and follow state and federal laws regarding mandatory reporting of abuse of children and dependent adults.
• Participate in crisis team coordination, and clinical supervision with the Program Director, Therapist, Crisis Coordinator, and other Advocates.
• Complete and submit service documentation within 24 hours of providing service, using the program tools and procedures.
• Participate in quality improvement and program monitoring.
• Attend mandatory staff meetings and assigned job specific trainings suitable for position.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in human service field such as psychology, social work, nursing, or related area is preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience; High school diploma or GED is required.
• Experience working with children and adults in a helping relationship (six months or longer). Crisis work experience or sexual assault specific experience preferred.
• Access to a dependable personal single-line reliable telephone and/or cell phone continuously during assigned on call hours. Conditions in the phone locations must allow for client privacy during phone contact.
• Ability to respond during assigned on call hours and arrive at the appropriate location within 45 minutes or less after receiving a dispatch call.
• Able to attend a minimum of 35 hours initial intensive program specific training to be scheduled on weekdays and/or weekends.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and tasks.
• Must pass background and drug screening.

Benefits

• A family-friendly workplace
• Opportunities for growth and professional development
• A chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Hawaii Island’s keiki and families
• Equal Opportunity Employer