Resident Advocate PRN- as needed

The Family Place; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The Family Place seeks a Resident Advocate to support survivors of family violence in a safe, welcoming shelter environment. You will provide emotional support, assist with intake, and help residents regain stability through daily living skills and resource coordination.

You will collaborate with Case Managers and staff to ensure safety, maintain shelter safety and cleanliness, and participate in program activities to empower residents toward independence.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to listen with empathy and provide emotional support.
• Experience using de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques.
• Strong communication with residents and staff; accurate documentation.

Responsibilities

• Provide emotional support to shelter residents in crisis.
• Collaborate with Case Managers and staff on service updates.
• Intervene in crisis situations using approved de-escalation methods.
• Communicate pertinent client situations to supervisor in a timely manner.
• Guide new residents through intake and shelter policies within 24 hours.
• Assist residents with basic life skills and daily planning.
• Conduct safety planning and exit processes as needed.
• Monitor inventory and report replenishment needs.
• Support residents with basic needs and shelter cleanliness.
• Transport clients when required and supervise volunteers or interns.
• Facilitate resident meetings and participate in program events.
• Provide backup coverage for hotline calls and crisis support.

Skills

Active listening

Crisis de-escalation

Emotional support

Documentation

Team collaboration

Tools

Clients First

Job description

OUR MISSION

The Family Place empowers survivors of family violence by providing safe housing, counseling, and skills that create independence while building community engagement and advocating for social change to stop family violence.

Position Summary

In this role as Resident Advocate, you will play a vital part in creating a safe and supportive environment for survivors of family violence as they begin rebuilding their lives. By ensuring the shelter remains secure, welcoming, and well-maintained, you help restore a sense of stability and dignity for each resident. Through compassionate support, active listening, and collaboration with the program team, you will not only ensure client safety but also empower individuals to move forward with confidence and hope. Your presence helps transform the shelter from a temporary refuge into a place of healing, growth, and new beginnings.

You're often the first face our clients see when they walk through the door, and sometimes, it's the first time in a long time they feel safe. You play a vital role in creating a supportive, stable environment where survivors of domestic violence can begin to heal. Whether it’s offering comfort during a crisis, ensuring the shelter is safe and clean, or simply being a consistent, caring presence, the work you do helps individuals and families feel seen, respected, and empowered. Your compassion, attention, and advocacy directly impact their ability to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides emotional support to residential clients by demonstrating sensitivity and support to those in crisis through active listening and comforting words in a non-judgmental manner.
• Collaborate with Case Managers, supervisor, and designated staff on service updates or needs for clients through documentation, email, and/or verbal communication.
• Intervenes in crisis situations, is intentional in words and action, by using approved de-escalation and crisis intervention methods that promote the safety of all residents.
• Provides timely communication to supervisor and designated staff regarding pertinent client situations and issues.
• Assure that all intakes with new clients include reviewing shelter policies, tours of the facility, completing intake paperwork, access for immediate needs, and providing personal supplies within 24 hours.
• Assists client with basic life skills activities, including healthy habits, clean living skills, organization, daily planning, time management, etc.
• Conducts client exit interviews, safety planning when needed (for unplanned exits), exit surveys, and schedules transportation services.
• Monitor inventory, document items taken from the adult/children closet, including inventory in overflow storage location, and report to operations and direct supervisor when inventory items need replenishing.
• Monitor the resident advocate desk and assist clients with basic needs, such as distributing medication, toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc., and document appropriately in Clients First.
• Monitors the facility for safety and cleanliness. Take appropriate action to maintain the cleanliness of the shelter, as needed. Provides light household tasks (i.e., spot cleaning rooms for in/out clients) and sanitizing common areas of the shelter.
• Transport clients in the company vehicle to and from appointments and meetings, or hospital when necessary.
• Interact with interns and volunteers and support and guide them when necessary.
• Co-facilitate Resident meetings, assist with volunteer groups, and children’s activities during adult groups.
• Assist with special events and other program activities scheduled during the shift.
• Provides backup coverage for hotline phone calls, assesses the level of client risk, and, through active listening, comforting words, and positive problem-solving, provides mental and emotional support.

Other Duties: Performs other job-related duties as assigned.