Overnight Counselor Advocate - PT, Weekends, Overnight

The People Concern; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 24,796 - 38,572; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

403(b) Retirement plan

Paid Holidays

Paid Vacation Days

Paid Sick Days

Employee Assistance Plans (EAP)

Telus Health

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Life / AD&D

Job summary

The People Concern is seeking a Counselor Advocate for the Sojourn program in Los Angeles. This part‑time role requires night shifts on Saturdays and Sundays, with duties spanning direct client support, crisis intervention, documentation, and coordination with shelter operations.

The ideal candidate has a California driver’s license, strong communication, and trauma‑informed experience. Responsibilities include maintaining confidentiality, leading groups, arranging transportation, and

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Valid California driver’s license.
• Use of own vehicle; responsible to carry all auto insurance legally required in the State of California.
• Willingness to work flexible hours including nights and weekends.
• Ability to supervise shelter participants with dignity and respect.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate progress notes and documentation of client services.
• Adhere to program/contract guidelines, confidentiality, HIPAA, and safety standards.
• Provide direct services to clients including trauma‑informed de‑escalation and crisis intervention.
• Assist with client entry/exit of shelter programs and transportation as needed.
• Facilitate support groups and provide childcare occasionally.
• Ensure adherence to shelter guidelines and report any concerns to management.

Skills

Strong communication

Trauma-informed approach

Crisis intervention

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent

Job description

Title: Counselor Advocate

Department: Sojourn

Program: 1801-Sojourn

Reports to: Program Manager

Schedule: Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 pm - 6:30 am (schedule may vary based on program needs)

Status: Part‑Time/Non‑Exempt/Non‑Management

Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, 403(b) Retirement plan

Openings: 1

Summary

Sojourn’s mission is to provide, without prejudice, shelter and support services to adult and child victims of domestic violence; prevent violence through non‑dominant child‑rearing, and the re‑envisioning of gender stereotypes using a philosophy of nonviolence and individual empowerment; and work toward advancing social justice, locally and globally. Through shelter, support groups, workshops, hotline calls, children’s empowerment programming, legal services, and service referrals, Sojourn brings safety, connection, and hope to individuals and families. Sojourn also works to educate the broader community and advance public policy that affirms the rights of oppressed populations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate progress notes and documentation of client services.
• Adhere to program/contract compliance as per guidelines and requirements mandated for DV shelter programs, standards of confidentiality, HIPAA, safety and crisis intervention.
• Provide direct services to clients, including:
  • Assist with client crises as needed (life skills, conflict resolution, safety planning, etc.) using trauma‑informed de‑escalation and mediation techniques.
  • Ensure implementation of empowerment model, harm reduction and trauma‑informed care methodologies.
  • Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, resources and eligibility screenings for program services for potential program participants via Sojourn 24‑hour hotline for DV crisis per DV best practices and standards.
  • Assist with client entry and exit of shelter programs.
  • Assist with transportation of program participants and their belongings to meetings such as the court, doctors, community resources, and housing appointments as necessary.
  • Facilitate support groups for adult and child participants including but not limited to life skills, DV education, parenting education.
  • Provide childcare occasionally.
  • Ensure adherence to shelter guidelines for program participants under the supervision of shelter management.
  • Provide resources and referrals as needed.
  • Assist with life skills support and education such as grocery shopping, assistance with chores/cleaning, provision of child care.
• Establish and maintain positive, productive working relationships with clients, staff, community partners and stakeholders including mental health programs, DV shelter programs, local law enforcement, local neighborhood councils and providers of services and resources to homeless persons.
• Attend staff meetings, case conferences, training workshops and community meetings as needed.
• Take inventory of site needs and submit facility maintenance, IT, and supply order requests.
• Submit daily activity reports to leadership staff and effectively communicate on‑site activities; ensure appropriate communication during shift transition meetings.
• Participate and conduct safety drills, routine facility checks to ensure compliance with county health standards.
• Participate in maintaining the organization and cleanliness of the shelter facility.
• Work with shelter management to report credible suspicions of child abuse.
• Train, assist and provide feedback to volunteers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specific Duties – Operations

• Ensure that shelter property and its surroundings is well maintained and clean.
• Regularly inspect facilities to verify clean, sanitary conditions.
• Report any maintenance issues or need for repairs to supervisor in a timely fashion.
• Regularly inspect facility/beds to ensure they are in working order.
• Train shelter support staff in proper protocol for site maintenance.
• Ensure monthly safety and fire drills are conducted.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Valid California driver’s license.
• Use of own vehicle; responsible to carry all auto insurance legally required in the State of California.
• Trustworthy, honest, and team player.
• Ability to supervise shelter participants with dignity and respect at all times. Must engage participants in positive interactions and troubleshoot problems as they surface.
• Must exhibit sound decision‑making ability related to crisis and safety planning.
• Ability to work with a diverse population and implement cultural responsiveness.
• Ability to handle communications with public, TPC staff and volunteers via phone or in person.
• Literate with the ability to operate basic computer functions.
• Able to maintain confidentiality; able to supervise sanitary conditions at all times in all areas including client premises, general areas, and communal living areas.
• Willingness to work flexible hours as needed, and handle emergencies which may occur daily, nightly, or overnight.
• Understanding of Domestic Violence Survivor population and their specific needs for services.
• Willingness to receive 40‑hour Domestic Violence Training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Experience in social services program or case management preferred; 24‑hour shelter experience.
• Extensive experience working in social services field with direct experience related to provision of case management services.
• Experience working in communal living or shelter environment.

Work Environment

• Combination of field and office environment.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend; occasionally lift or carry up to 35 lbs.
• On occasion walk or drive to different local sites.
• Will necessitate working in busy and loud environments.
• Will be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise and odor.
• May need to bend, stoop, twist and sit throughout the day.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The People Concern is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to non‑discrimination in employment. We select the most qualified individual for the job based on job‑related qualifications regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, credit history, sexual orientation, arrest and court record, genetic information, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state or other applicable laws.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Retirement Planning (403(b)) & Matching
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation Days
• Paid Sick Days
• Employee Assistance Plans (EAP)
• Telus Health
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Basic Life / Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Voluntary Short‑and Long‑Term Disability
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Corporate Discounts: Discounts on Hotels, Theme Parks, Concerts, Movies, Restaurants & More
• The People Concern University & Certificates