Domestic Violence Advocate

YWCA Charleston; Charleston (WV); On-site; USD 17,908 - 19,630; Full time

Job summary

YWCA Charleston seeks a compassionate Domestic Violence Advocate for their Resolve program. This position provides essential evening and overnight support to survivors in a residential shelter, offering crisis response, safety planning assistance, and maintaining a calm environment.

Candidates should have strong experience in crisis situations and support diverse populations. A High School Diploma or equivalent is required. Join us to help make a positive change in the lives of those affected by domestic violence.

Qualifications

• Experience responding to crisis situations such as hotline calls or emergency response.
• Familiarity with safety planning and empowerment-based advocacy.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and adhere to confidentiality standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide frontline crisis response and support to survivors.
• Assist with safety planning and model healthy communication.
• Help settle house disputes and support daily living activities.

Skills

Crisis situation response

Support for underserved populations

Trauma-informed care

Healthy communication and conflict resolution

Life-skills support

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Compensation: $13.00/hour to $14.25/hour

The Program:

YWCA Resolve is a family domestic violence program offering 24/7 shelter, a help hotline, pet shelter, and emergency intervention for victims of domestic violence.

The Position:

YWCA Charleston needs a compassionate and dependable Domestic Violence Advocate to support survivors in a residential shelter environment in the evening and overnight. This role provides frontline crisis response and day‑to‑day support that helps create a safe, calm, and empowering space for residents and their families.

The Advocate will respond to crisis calls, assist survivors with safety planning, and model healthy communication and conflict resolution within the shelter community. This position also plays a vital role in maintaining the warmth and stability of the home by helping settle house disputes, supporting residents with daily living skills, and assisting with shared responsibilities such as cooking, light cleaning, and overall care of the residence.

Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrated experience responding to crisis situations (hotline calls, de‑escalation, emotional support, or emergency response).
• Experience supporting individuals from diverse and underserved populations, including survivors of trauma, housing instability, or family violence.
• Familiarity with safety planning, empowerment‑based advocacy, and trauma‑informed care practices.
• Experience in a communal or residential setting (shelter, group home, campus housing, childcare, or similar environment) where shared living dynamics and conflict resolution are required.
• Proven ability to model healthy communication and boundaries, mediate minor disputes, and maintain a calm, respectful environment.
• Experience assisting with life‑skills support such as cooking, cleaning routines, household organization, and reinforcing shared community expectations.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation, follow confidentiality standards, and adhere to program policies and safety protocols.

Education & Requirements:

• High School Diploma (or equivalent) or years of experience in a relevant field.
• Must be willing to work holidays, during inclement weather, and residential health outbreaks, such as the flu.
• Preference given to applicants with relevant training or certifications (or willingness to obtain), such as:
• Domestic violence or sexual assault advocacy training.
• Crisis intervention or hotline training.
• Trauma‑informed care.
• CPR/First Aid.
• Mandated reporter training.

A complete job description is provided at the time of the interview.

Why Should You Apply?

• You want to make a difference and see positive change in a person’s life!
• You are passionate about helping people become empowered to be self‑sufficient!
• You want to be part of a team that collaborates for the greater good of the individual and the organization!

Compensation: $13.00/hour to $14.25/hour