Resource Advocate

Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center in Duluth, MN is seeking a Resource Advocate to provide crisis intervention and client advocacy within the Self-sufficiency program. You will greet clients, complete intakes, and help connect them to housing, education and employment resources in the community.

Responsibilities include coordinating care, assisting with government programs, and providing post-separation support.

Qualifications

• Lived experience of domestic violence and/or experience living as an unhoused person, or college experience in Human Service or related field, or 3 years of experience in human service work.
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand English.
• Valid driver’s license and insurance minimums of 100,000/300,000/100,000.

Responsibilities

• Greet clients at the Resource Center and answer hotline calls.
• Complete intakes and needs assessments to connect clients to services.
• Provide expertise and advocacy to help navigate housing systems and secure long‑term housing.
• Assist survivors with government assistance programs and crisis planning.
• Conduct hospital visits for domestic violence victims.
• Attend off-site meetings/appointments and provide transportation when needed.
• Maintain Resource Center records in the Apricot database.
• Provide post separation support and connect clients to community resources.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Client advocacy

Communication skills

English proficiency

Cultural competency

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Service or related field

College experience in Human Service

Tools

Apricot database

Job description

Full time, 40 hours/week, primarily Monday-Friday 8am-4pm with the flexibility to work scheduled after hours for programming and a potential group.

Days and Hours subject to change to meet client needs.

$21.16/hour

Position Summary:

The Resource Advocate’s role is to provide advocacy to domestic violence survivors utilizing the Resource Center programs and drop in resources. This includes working in the Client Coordinator role (50+%), providing crisis intervention, assisting drop-in client with their self-identified needs, advocating for clients with community partners and agencies, and providing advocacy for clients in the community as they navigate resources that will assist them in living free from violence. The Resource Advocate is part of the Self-sufficiency program and works in partnership with the Self-sufficiency advocate to assist survivors with housing, education and employment and connecting to community resources.

Essential Functions:

• Greet clients at the Resource Center and answer hotline calls
• Complete intakes and needs assessments to assist clients in connecting to all appropriate services at the Resource Center and in the community
  • Provide expertise and advocacy to help navigate the local housing systems to secure long‑term housing
  • Assist survivors when applicable in applying VAWA protections to their housing
  • Provide support through either direct service or referrals to assist survivors with self‑care and development of skills
• Safety planning
  • Goal setting with survivors of domestic violence in a trauma informed setting
  • Assist clients with navigating government assistance programs
• Conduct hospital visits for domestic violence victims
• Facilitate domestic violence education/support groups. Potential groups are; St. Louis County Jail, Bethel and Safe Haven’s weekly group
• Attend meetings/appointments off-site with clients and provide transportation when needed
• Assist in coordinating and facilitating Wellness Day
• Keep accurate records on each client served with the Apricot database
• Familiarize clients with Resource Center by informing them of services and orientating them to the space
• Provide post separation support and assistance finding necessary resources/services
• Effectively respond to crisis situations and function well under pressure
• Maintain Resource Center security at all times and attend to the needs of the Resource Center Space
• Impeccable ability to follow through with assigned, and/or self‑directed tasks
• Employ strong ethical values
• Prepare organized, thoughtful reports on a regular basis as determined by Supervisor
• Read and communicate through email and other means with all other Safe Haven employees on a daily basis, and other agencies as necessary
• Maintain professional boundaries with co‑workers and clients
• Accept cultural, racial, religious, affectional orientation, economic differences between people
• Other duties as assigned as the position evolves

Qualifications & Competencies Required Qualifications

• Lived experience of domestic violence and/or experience living as an unhoused person, or; college experience in Human Service or related field, or; 3 years of experience in human service work.
• Experience working with people who are:
• omanaging crises.ofrom diverse racial, cultural, social, economic and LGBTQ+ backgrounds.
• oexperience chronic, persistent mental illness and/or chemical dependency.
• Demonstrated consistency and dependability in regard to scheduled shifts and/or work hours.
• Exercise computer skills including, but not limited to, word processing, data entry, spreadsheets and email.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand English.
• Valid driver’s license and insurance minimums of 100,000/300,000/100,000.
• Ability to pass a background check and Motor Vehicle Records search before hire and annually thereafter.
• Impeccable ability to follow through with assigned, and/or self‑directed tasks.
• Ability to drive a vehicle safely in all conditions and circumstances.
• Skillful at tolerating and navigating ambiguous situations effectively.
• Ability to be warm, friendly, positive and approachable.
• Value diversity and leverage the benefits of different perspectives.
• Ability to physically attend to the various needs of the facility (i.e., cleaning/housekeeping, washing dishes, lifting {up to 30lbs}, ascend/descend a flight of stairs, using office equipment {computer, telephone, etc.}).

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Service or related field.
• Knowledge of Duluth and surrounding area community resources.
• Understanding of trauma‑informed care for survivors of domestic violence.
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand multiple languages including American Sign Language.
• Survivors of domestic violence*, women of color, LGBTQ, and people of other underrepresented subcultures in our community are encouraged to apply!

Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, affectional orientation or gender identity, political affiliation, marital status, status with respect to public assistance, disability, or age in the delivery of services or employment practices