Shelter Advocate

YWCA of St. Joseph; Saint Joseph (MO); On-site; USD 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

YWCA St. Joseph provides trauma-informed shelter advocacy for individuals experiencing domestic violence, sexual violence, and homelessness. The Shelter Advocate supports guests with safety planning, crisis intervention, and access to resources in a woman-centered environment.

The role requires maintaining confidentiality, excellent communication, and the ability to engage diverse populations while documenting services and ensuring guest safety in a respectful, empowering setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of domestic & sexual violence dynamics preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to engage and build relationships with diverse populations.
• Intermediate computer skills required.
• Must be able to pass State Child Abuse/Neglect screening & Criminal Background Check.

Responsibilities

• Provide services in accordance with a woman-defined, empowerment model.
• Answer crisis hotline calls and assist callers with safety planning, crisis intervention, education, and information/referral.
• Triage requests for shelter services and complete Lethality Assessment as appropriate.
• Assist walk-in victims with ex-parte applications and safety planning.
• Complete intake paperwork and orientation for new shelter guests.
• Provide services and support to shelter guests during their stay.
• Maintain the safety and security of guests and shelter facility.
• Document all services provided and enter information into database within 3 days.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Empathy

Crisis intervention

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services

Tools

Database entry skills

Computer proficiency

MS Office

Job description

Job Title: Shelter Advocate

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Reports to: Shelter Manager

Job Purpose: Provide trauma-informed services and support to individuals who are experiencing domestic violence, sexual violence, and/or homelessness.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide all services in accordance with a woman-defined, empowerment model.
• Answer crisis hotline calls and assist callers by providing safety planning, crisis intervention, education, and information/referral.
• Triage requests for shelter services and complete Lethality Assessment, as appropriate.
• Provide crisis intervention, safety planning and/or assistance with completing ex-parte applications to walk-in victims of domestic and/or sexual violence.
• Complete intake paperwork and orientation for new shelter guests.
• Provide services and support to shelter guests throughout their stay.
• Provide assistance with needs/issues related to group living.
• Assist with conflict resolution and mediate disagreements, as appropriate.
• Maintain the safety and security of guests and shelter facility.
• Prompt compliance with shelter guidelines and take corrective action as needed.
• Assist with packing vacated guest rooms, cleaning, preparing/serving guest meals and similar tasks necessary for the operation of shelter.
• Document all services provided and enter information into database withing 3 days of direct service.
• Maintain statistics and complete reports as assigned.
• Complete filing
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required and/or assigned.
• Commitment to the YWCA mission of Eliminating Racism and Empowering Women.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field or equivalent combination of education and experience required
• Knowledge of domestic & sexual violence dynamics preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to effectively engage and build relationships with diverse populations.
• Intermediate computer skills required.
• Must be able to pass State Child Abuse/Neglect screening & Criminal Background Check.

Working Conditions

• Employee works in an office environment and is protected from weather conditions and contaminants.
• Some on-call responsibilities possible on a rotating basis.

Physical Requirements

• Standing or sitting for long periods, bending, stooping, and occasional lifting.
• Repetitive hand motion (such as typing).
• Ability, on a consistent basis, to perform activities requiring cooperation, instruction, persuasion, or speaking with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and on the telephone with guests.
• Ability to monitor guests activities and security systems.

Personal Characteristics

• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and professional boundaries and ensure own behavior is consistent with professional ethical standards.
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others both internally and externally to achieve the organizations goals of empowering women and eliminating racism.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Focus on Guest Needs: Anticipate, understand and respond to the needs of guests.
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the guest and the organization.
• Organization: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals and track details/data/information/activities.
• Technological Aptitude: Understand software applications and maintain skills necessary to effectively perform key responsibilities through use of company utilized programs.

***YWCA St. Joseph provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.***