Domestic Violence Advocate - Residential Services

safehousedenver; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Full-time position

Benefits package

Health insurance coverage

Professional development

Job summary

SafeHouse Denver is seeking a Domestic Violence Advocate with crisis intervention skills to support survivors in our 24-hour Crisis & Information Line and emergency residential program.

You will provide emotional support, information on trauma and coping skills, safety planning, and case management to adult residents and children, ensuring a safe and respectful community environment. This role includes weekend coverage and collaboration with onsite staff to coordinate services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field is required.
• Excellent written and oral communication; strong time management and organization.
• Ability to respond with empathy, be proactive, and adapt in a diverse residential setting.
• Detail-oriented with strong technical aptitude in documentation.
• Knowledge of domestic violence, trauma-informed care, and empowerment models.

Responsibilities

• Respond to callers on the 24-hour Crisis & Information Line with emotional support and crisis intervention.
• Provide information on domestic abuse, trauma response, and coping skills.
• Assist callers in assessing needs and referrals, and develop safety plans.
• Screen callers for emergency residential services and conduct initial intake of new residents.
• Provide short-term advocacy, counseling, safety planning, and crisis intervention to residents.
• Maintain accurate and timely record keeping and documentation.

Skills

Excellent written and oral com

Time management

Attentive and proactive

Detail oriented

MS Office proficiency

Knowledge of domestic violence/trauma

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Master’s degree in social work or related field

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Domestic Violence Advocate - Residential Services

Who We Are and Who We’re Looking For:

If you are looking to join a supportive team driven to impact the lives of others, look no further. SafeHouse Denver has been around for 47 years, and we are on a mission to improve the lives of domestic violence survivors. We are committed to providing survivors with a safe space, where they are believed, supported, and trusted. We guide community awareness of domestic violence through education, partnerships, and inclusion. We are currently looking for a Domestic Violence Advocate with crisis intervention skills to support our work as we prepare to serve more survivors in greater ways.

We prioritize and practice seven core values:

• Trust We foster a culture of trust by being reliable, honest, consistent, direct, and transparent.
• Dedication We are intentional, passionate, and driven. We commit to making a meaningful impact.
• Compassion We listen, seek to understand, and help. We embody kindness, patience, empathy, and see the value of each individual.
• Collaboration We encourage, cooperate, support, and share. We also welcome humor and fun.
• Innovation We are bold, brave, and fearless. We value curiosity and continuous learning.
• Leadership We operate with integrity, transparency, and ethics. We are solutions-oriented, optimistic, accessible, and critical thinkers.
• Inclusion We embrace and respect diverse perspectives and experiences; we believe in a welcome and equitable environment.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Respond to callers who access SafeHouse Denver’s 24-hour Crisis & Information Line

• Provides emotional support, crisis intervention, and de-escalation
• Provides information and education on domestic abuse, trauma response, and coping skills
• Supports callers in assessing immediate needs, identifying culturally appropriate resources and referrals, and supports callers in developing a plan of action
• Provides safety planning by supporting callers in assessing danger/risks, identifying culturally appropriate resources and referrals, and supporting callers in implementing their safety plan
• Screens callers for emergency residential services

Provides initial intake of new residents

• Orientates new residents to the emergency residential facility/program
• Provides appraisal of the resident’s presenting problem
• Assess immediate needs, identify culturally appropriate resources and referrals, and support residents in developing a plan of action
• Provides safety planning by supporting residents in assessing danger/risks, identifying culturally appropriate resources and referrals, and supporting residents in implementing their safety plan
• Provides emotional support, de-escalation, and crisis intervention during the intake process

Provides short-term individual advocacy, counseling, safety planning, and crisis intervention to adult residents and children

• Provides emotional support, crisis intervention, and de-escalation to residents as needed or requested
• Supports residents in developing short-term goals plans to address immediate concerns
• Provides information and education about domestic abuse, trauma response, and coping skills
• Provides safety planning by supporting residents in assessing danger/risks, identifying culturally appropriate resources and referrals, and supports residents in implementing their safety plan
• Communicates with Primary Advocates to ensure quality services to residents
• Provides case management services for emergency residential facility clients
• Conducts an initial meeting with new resident to assist residents in identifying needs and goals
• Links residents to culturally appropriate resources and referrals to meet immediate/ongoing needs and goals
• Meets as needed to provide ongoing support and encouragement
• Advocates on behalf of residents with outside agencies and within the program to support residents in meeting needs and goals
• Support residents with transitions from the emergency residential facility by conducting exit interviews
• Facilitates educational/support groups
• Facilitates children’s activities/support groups
• Plan and facilitate a weekly, evening educational/support group for adult residents or children on a rotational basis
• Supports a safe and secure residential environment
• Supports a safe and respectful community living environment by providing emotional support, de-escalation, conflict management, problem solving, and crisis intervention
• Conducts regular safety checks and safety searches as needed
• Supports participation in the emergency residential facility by providing residents with clear explanations of the program and clarifying expectations of residents
• Supports residents in meeting their day-to-day needs by supplying personal items, supplies and food
• Help ensure the emergency shelter is a clean and tidy facility

Maintains accurate and timely record keeping

• Responsible for appropriate charting and all other necessary documentation

Demonstrates initiative and vision for service quality, service improvement, program development/growth, problem prevention and resolution

• Works diligently to achieve individual, team, and agency goals and objectives
• Participates and respects all staff to facilitate coordinated services both within the Residential facility and across all agency programs
• Utilizes ethical and professional methods of communication to resolve problems or conflicts with team members
• Attends weekly case management/staff meetings, monthly all-agency meetings, and program meetings
• Actively participates in program development
• Participates in agency and community educational opportunities to maintain and improve skills
• Represents SafeHouse Denver and promotes the organization’s services in a positive and professional manner
• Works with other service providers and community agencies to assist survivors and the organization

Shift, on-call, and team support requirements

• Work schedule includes one weekend day to support weekend dual coverage
• On-call service is required each month
• Responds to phone calls during on-call periods within 15 minutes of the first contact by a team member
• Effectively supports and collaborates with onsite staff to address questions and clarify or resolve issues as needed
• All other duties as assigned

Qualifications We Are Looking For:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; superior time management and organizational skills
• Attentive, responsive, and proactive; ability to pivot as necessary to meet the needs of survivors in a diverse ever-changing residential setting
• Detail oriented with strong technical aptitude; advanced proficiency in utilizing MS Office
• Passion for the SafeHouse Denver mission
• Knowledge of domestic violence, trauma-informed services, and empowerment models
• Outstanding interpersonal skills

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in social work or related field
• Three years of experience in human services or related field
• 2 years of crisis intervention, case management, and advocacy experience

What We Offer:

• $24 - $27 hourly rate, negotiable based on experience, full-time position, non-exempt, with performance evaluation and opportunity for merit-based increase after one full year of employment
• 40 hours per week with schedule flexibility required and on-call rotation
• Fantastic benefits package, including plenty of paid time off for rest and vacations, and employee health insurance coverage paid 90% or more by employer
• Professional development opportunities
• Supportive work environment and opportunities for fun
• Work with committed individuals who want to impact change
• A chance to be part of a movement that will help more survivors

SafeHouse Denver is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. SafeHouse Denver is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities to apply.