Shelter Advocate

DAIS (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services); Madison (WI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

DAIS is seeking Shelter Advocates to support victims of intimate partner violence and their children in our emergency shelter. The role emphasizes trauma-informed care, empowerment, and engaging residents in daily shelter activities.

Responsibilities include maintaining shelter cleanliness, conducting intakes, and providing crisis support. Awake position with varied shifts, including some weekends and holidays as needed. DAIS offers a supportive, client-centered environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Two years of experience working with trauma survivors required.
• Experience in a residential setting and crisis intervention preferred.
• Knowledge of domestic violence issues preferred.
• Excellent computer skills; Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Bilingual abilities a plus.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanliness in shelter common areas and kitchen; engage clients.
• Prepare rooms for client intakes and assist daily living needs.
• Conduct shelter intakes and orientations.
• Support hotline coverage and monitor security cameras.
• Communicate shelter rules and guidelines; maintain boundaries.
• Provide building access to shelter clients.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Residential setting experience

Bilingual

Communication

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

JOB REQUIREMENTS: About the job: DAIS Shelter Advocates work to ensure that victims of intimate partner violence and their children staying in our emergency shelter have a safe, dignified, and empowered experience as they work to address the impact of intimate partner violence in their lives. Shelter Advocates utilize the principles of trauma informed care and the empowerment philosophy of advocacy to support DAIS clients.

Shelter Advocates help to maintain cleanliness and order in shelter common areas while engaging residents in efforts, clean and prepare rooms for new residents, assist with daily living needs, conduct shelter intakes and orientations, and communicate communal living guidelines.

The Shelter Advocate role is an awake position; current coverage needs include weekdays, weekends, occasional overnights, and holidays as needed. If you're passionate about working in a role like this, and you meet the minimum requirements of the position, we'd love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining cleanliness in shelter common areas, including the shelter kitchen and engaging clients to participate in efforts.
• Cleaning and preparing rooms for client intakes.
• Assisting clients with daily living needs.
• Understanding and utilizing principles of trauma informed care and the empowerment philosophy of advocacy to support clients.
• Conducting shelter intakes and shelter orientations.
• Supporting other client and crisis services as needed, including providing hotline coverage, monitoring security cameras, and providing building access to shelter clients.
• Communicating shelter rules and communal living guidelines to clients and addressing difficulties or problems that arise.
• Maintaining professionalism and professional boundaries with clients and staff alike.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Work requires the ability to ascend or descend stairs, as well as the agility to move about and position oneself efficiently to perform physical tasks and address emergency situations. Position requires the ability to monitor, and observe the activities of clients, and the children of clients, within the facility and to detect, discern, or exchange information both in person and over the telephone to address resident inquiries and needs. Regularly exposed to cleaning products, chemicals, and solvents. Occasionally works in outdoor weather conditions. Routinely requires the ability to move or transport supplies or equipment weighing up to 30 pounds unassisted, while ascending or descending stairs.

OTHER EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• High school graduates or equivalent required Two years of experience working with trauma survivors required Experience in a residential setting & Crisis Intervention Strongly Preferred Experience In Crisis Intervention and knowledge of domestic violence issues preferred Excellent computer Skills Including Knowledge Of Microsoft Office Preferred Bilingualabilities a plus.