Crisis Services Advocate

Unifiedtherapy; Dubuque (IA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Dubuque Y Crisis Services in Dubuque, IA seeks Crisis Services Advocates to support 24/7 operations across crisis line, emergency shelter, and extended stay programs. The role emphasizes trauma-informed, survivor-centered care for survivors of violence, with a focus on women and children.

Part-time shifts are available across all schedules. Applicants should have an Associate’s degree (or be pursuing one) or at least two years of field experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Dependability with minimal supervision.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to pass state, federal, and child abuse background checks.
• Boundaries while providing services and empowering clients.
• Experience with trauma-informed care a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered services, including crisis line coverage, screening, intake and exit procedures, safety planning, emotional support, information and referral.

Skills

Dependable

Calm under pressure

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Professionalism

Computer skills

Education

Associate’s degree or higher preferred

2 years field experience

Job description

Looking for Crisis Services Advocates to fill up the Crisis Shelter team.

Looking for Part time for all shifts.

If interested Please email: [e-mail]

POSITION SUMMARY

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Dubuque Y Crisis Services offers around the clock 24/7 365 services to meet the various safety needs of survivors of violence. Our Crisis Line, Emergency Shelter and Extended Stay services provide immediate and critical interventions, with our overall goal to increase survivor safety. Our service provision is built around providing quality, client centered, trauma informed services that promote self-sufficiency and increase successful outcomes for survivor’s unique, individualized needs. DYCS prioritizes women and children experiencing various types of gender based violence such as Domestic Violence / Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking and Other Violent Crimes.

OUR CULTURE

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day.

We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become.

We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality.

We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world.

We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential.

We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Appropriately & professionally provide comprehensive, trauma-informed, survivor-centered services to survivors that drive successful interventions. Services consist of but are not limited to the following: crisis line coverage, performing screening, intake and exit procedures, safety planning, emotional support, information and referral, community outreach and collaboration and crisis intervention.
2. Assist with inventory and organizational needs of the facility and elevating issues to DYCS leadership, help ensure core processes are followed.
3. Conduct service needs assessments, case management, collaborative referrals and needed advocacy to best support DYCS emergency shelter and extended stay program participants.
4. Assist in educating survivors about victim’s rights, available resources; assist with requests for security/separation from perpetrators and/or the perpetrator’s family members and provide emotional support.
5. Operate various types of typical office equipment and computer software necessary to communicate with DYCS staff and other service providers.
6. Document and track all client interactions and information in the Empower DB database. Maintain up-to-date client files and programmatic data with a high level of accuracy that meets timeliness requirements.
7. Complete shift duties that contribute to daily operations by organizing, stocking and replenishing supplies, resetting vacant rooms, conducting shelter walk-through’s and room checks, accepting and distributing donations, maintaining general cleanliness, following security and building alarm procedures and assuring necessary supplies are furnished.
8. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Advocates must demonstrate the ability to execute the following:

• Must be highly dependable and possess the ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Exhibit a strong skill set in being able to work well under pressure, utilize sound judgment and decision making skills, be courteous and helpful and maintain confidentiality requirements.
• Hold appropriate boundaries while implementing services and understand the importance of empowering clients while providing a strong and stable support system.
• Able to handle difficult situations with professionalism and maturity and elevate situations that need guidance.
• Must have strong written and oral communication skills, as well as intermediate computer skills.
• Can work in an environment that requires the ability to transfer/ carry cleaning and bedding supplies up & down stairs and packages weighing at least 25 pounds.
• Ability to pass state, federal, and child abuse background checks and able to work in the United States.
• A minimum of (or in the process of earning) an Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree preferred, in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or a related field or a minimum of 2 years of field experience in a similar role.
• Training or experience working with survivor populations with a thorough understanding of the issues surrounding victimization as it relates to survivor based services or other individuals in underserved, underrepresented and/or marginalized populations with a thorough understanding of systemic barriers the identified population faces.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & 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.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.