PRN Shelter Advocate (weekend and overnight)

Newhouse; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

The Newhouse Shelter Advocate provides 24-hour shelter coverage, offering a safe, structured environment and emotional support to adult and child residents. This role includes crisis intervention, hotline response, resource referrals, enrollment interviews, safety planning, and basic needs support.

Reporting to the Advocacy Manager, this full-time position emphasizes maintaining shelter cleanliness, inventory and documentation, and active engagement with residents and volunteers, while upholding

Qualifications

• Knowledge of domestic violence through educational or experiential learning.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks, details, and assignments to meet deadlines.
• Self-directed work to improve processes, client experience, and operations.
• Professional demeanor, teamwork, and adherence to mission and values.
• Understanding and practice of trauma-informed care models.

Responsibilities

• Answer the 24-hour crisis hotline and provide crisis intervention and referrals.
• Monitor safety and security of shelter residents, volunteers, and staff.
• Maintain shelter cleanliness and oversee daily rounds and basic supplies.
• Enter client data into the shelter database by end of each shift.
• Provide ongoing emotional support to residents and assist enrollment into residence programs.
• Coordinate with shifts for continuity of care and document all interactions.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Safety planning

Trauma-Informed Care

Communication

Data entry

Conflict mediation

Tools

Shelter database

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Newhouse Shelter Advocate provides 24-hour shelter coverage, providing a safe, structured, and supportive environment for adult and child residents in shelter. This position will supply advocacy, crisis intervention and emotional support to clients, answer the crisis hotline, provide resource/referrals, residential enrollment interviews, provide basic needs, safety planning, monitor the safety and security of the shelter, ensure the cleanliness and sanitation of the shelter, and carry out scheduled activities for residents.

The Shelter Advocate reports directly to the Advocacy Manager.

Starting Salary: $17/hr +

Fulltime employees (30+ hours weekly) are eligible to receive health and vision benefits, 401(k) (following a qualifying period), and a generous PTO package.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Advocates are expected to demonstrate thoroughness during hotline calls, clearly communicating available services and engaging in safety planning with all callers. Additionally, Advocates are responsible for enrolling individuals into outreach programs as part of initial support efforts. Care of the shelter is a primary responsibility. This includes conducting hourly rounds, keeping the shelter clean through routine pick-ups, and actively engaging residents in the upkeep and care of shared spaces. All advocates have shared responsibilities which includes oversight of house laundry, stocking basic supplies, inventory management, and the organization of essential supplies.

Advocates are responsible for coordinating all basic needs and supplies to support residents effectively. Distribution of goods must be tracked and accounted for through consistent inventory checks and documentation. Clear communication between shifts is necessary for seamless transitions, continuity of care, and maintaining structure across shifts. To support a positive community environment, advocates will review the Resident Guidebook with residents and uphold expectations with reminders as needed. Proper documentation is essential. Advocates must clock in and out each shift, assist in room checks, input accurate data including hotline calls and client interactions into the Client Database by the end of each shift. All Advocates must maintain communication across Agency provided means including email.

All actions must align with a culture of dignity and respect, in accordance with our workplace values. Advocates are expected to utilize MANDT skills and follow Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) approach in all interactions with residents and each other. When conflict arises—whether among staff or with residents—it is the Advocate’s responsibility to engage in resolution with professionalism and clarity. Ongoing investment in professional development and training is encouraged and expected. Showing up for scheduled shift(s), being present and available for clients and team members, and completing essential tasks are non-negotiable elements of the role.

Responsibilities are shared equally; all Advocates will complete tasks/actions needed for a given day. Every Advocate is expected to contribute the same level of commitment and accountability. At times, a person or shift may temporarily be assigned additional tasks, and clarity around completion of those responsibilities ensures consistency and stability within Newhouse. Advocates are expected to aid in training new staff and volunteers, using their experience to guide implementation of the Newhouse mission.

Expectations

• Answer the 24-hour crisis hotline, provide crisis intervention, resource referrals, and/or admittance into shelter when appropriate.
• Monitor safety and security of shelter residents, volunteers, and staff.
• Follow all agency policies and procedures. These are subject to change based on grants, staffing needs, the current environment, etc.
• Enter client data [hotlines, client interactions, etc.] into Newhouse’s computerized database system by the end of each shift.
• Establish a warm, caring, and supportive atmosphere for residents and children coming into shelter.
• Utilize problem solving, conflict mediation, and crisis management skills.
• When assisting clients entering the residential program all Advocates must:
  • Prepare and ensure completion of enrollment paperwork with all incoming residents upon arrival.
  • Complete orientation to include review of the Resident Guidebook
  • Provide basic supplies
  • Document the arrival of residents in shift notes
  • Update the internal census to reflect the current number of residents
• Maintain all written records as required.
• Clearly and consistently communicate expectations to the residents living at Newhouse.
• Complete daily meal counts [overnight staff/shifts].
• Provide ongoing emotional support to residents.
• Keep bed board updated throughout shift.
• Provide accommodations as necessary for residents with injury, special need, disability, illness, etc. This includes, but is not limited to: TTY, room modifications, interpreter, medical care, etc.
• Obtain signatures from each adult resident in shelter daily to verify their continued bed occupancy.
• De-escalate residents that may be triggered or expand using skills available to you which may include: Mandt, DBT skills, and a trauma-informed approach.
• Complete the shift checklist and/or listed projects.
• Provide any required materials for/or prepare any scheduled activities for residents.

• Give a tour of the facility and inform them of services available
• Schedule initial assessment with Care Navigation

EXPERIENCE, ABILITIES + QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge and understanding of domestic violence through educational and/or experiential learning.
• Care and concern for adults and children coming from traumatic experiences
• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize tasks, details, and assignments to meet deadlines.
• Proven history of self-directed work to improve processes, client experience, and overall operations.
• Must possess executive maturity, sound judgment, a professional appearance, and act as a team player.
• Demonstration of integrity, honesty, and high ethical standards.
• Efficient and keen interpersonal skills, being sensitive to our Trauma-Informed Care model.
• Alignment and adherence to the Newhouse mission, vision, values, and organizational culture.
• Knowledge and practice of non-violent methods of regulation and behavior correction.
• Willingness to explore community resources that are available to support families in shelter.
• Adaptability and flexibility in unpredictable or high-stress situations. Ability to use basic computer programs and enter accurate and timely information into our shelter database.