Lead Advocate

Position Summary:                                                                                                       

Under the general direction of the Safe House Shelter Manager or the Assistant Manager (in backup capacity), the Lead Adult Advocate is responsible for providing direction for teammates on the weekend shift, providing coverage as an Advocate in the Safe House, and taking turns with the other members of the on-call team.  The position will facilitate and provide weekend support group activities for participants and lead weekend house meetings.  The Lead Adult Advocate supervisory responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, ensuring client files are complete and comply with necessary evaluation standards from funding agencies and coordinating the orientation, training, and supervision of volunteers or staff providing groups in the evening.  Advocate responsibilities include providing information about crime victims’ rights, crisis stabilization, safety planning, law enforcement and victim advocacy, providing referrals, assisting in securing stable housing, assisting in identifying and securing employment and service planning in support of recovery and self-sufficiency.

Job Specifications/Qualifications: (Min. knowledge, skills, and abilities required)         .     

Education/Training/Experience: 1H.S. Degree  0 College Degree*  1 Certification/License*

• High School Diploma or equivalent.  Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Two (2) years of experience working in the domestic violence field preferred.
• Competency-based Core training (30 hours) within 90 days of employment required.

Leadership Skills:

• Provide leadership to weekend staff. 
• Assist directors and staff in evaluating effectiveness of program services and offerings.
• Implement organizational policies and procedures.
• Coach and train weekend staff in policy and procedures, skill, and personal development areas, as needed.
• Establish high performance goals and standards, yet realistic work objectives/standards for weekend staff.

Knowledge, Attitude, Skills and Habits:

• Knowledge of issues of domestic violence, human trafficking, and other forms of abuse.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Productivity Tools (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). 
• Ability to successfully perform job functions independent of daily supervision.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities.
• Ability to learn and work in Osnium.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:                                                                                              

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship on the company may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, as long as that would not hinder or prevent performance of duties or be of a safety concern.

Key to denote % of time requirements necessary to perform essential functions of this job.

0% = Zero (O)         1-35% = Little (L)         36-70% = Moderate (M)         71-100% = Great (G)

- Physical Requirements:  0 Light: Lifting 0-10 lbs.   1 Moderate: Lifting 11-25 lbs.  0 Heavy: Lifting 25 lbs.

L – Lifting   

L – Operating motor vehicle   

M – Reaching above/below the waist

M – Pushing/pulling movements

M – Standing 

M – Kneeling 

M – Sitting 

M – Walking    M – Bending/stooping

M – Climbing stairs / ladders

M –Typing 

M – Color / Depth perception

M – Fine hand & finger movements

M – Operate various equipment

- Working Conditions and Schedules:

O - Exposed at times to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

L - Exposed to various noise levels (L= private office, M= showroom/service area, G= jackhammer/metal works/heavy equipment)

L- Working environment: non-private, varies from outside open parking lot, to showroom, to cubicle workspace, to adaptive office.

M - Available to works nights, weekends, and holidays.

G - Interacting with co-workers, vendors, and customers.     

G - Office machines, phones, fax, computers, postage meter, etc. 

- Necessary traits for this position: 1 Seeing 1 Hearing 1 Talking* 1 Reading* 1Writing*

0 Basic comprehension of English language using the traits* marked above for purposes of safety, management direction and job responsibility, and minimal third-party interaction.

1 Proficiency of the traits* marked above in the following languages for business letters, memos, customer interaction, presentations, demonstrations, employee direction, audits,  etc:  1English 0Spanish 0French 0Other _________________

Job Functions, Unique Duties and Responsibilities:                                                 

Essential Functions include but are not limited to the following: 

General

• Follow the administrative guidelines and policies established by Hope Villages of America (HVA)
• Maintain a community image consistent with the HVA mission.
• Engage in a relationship with HVA Program Team which is proactive, mutually beneficial, fosters teamwork, and advances the mission of HVA.
• Exercise due care and stewardship of resources which are given to HVA including equipment, food, money, volunteer and staff time.

Advocacy and Case Management

• Provide comprehensive case management, which includes providing information about crime victims’ rights, crisis stabilization, safety planning, law enforcement and victim advocacy, assisting in securing stable housing, assisting in identifying and securing employment, and service planning in support of recovery and self-sufficiency.
• Provide referrals to local community partner agencies.
• Facilitate support groups to empower survivors of domestic violence to obtain their goals, such as employment and securing affordable housing.
• Collaborate with community agencies including, but not limited to, local literacy programs, career centers, Job Links, Dress for Success programs and local libraries. 

Program Support

• Regularly update team members regarding resource listings and the status of participants.  
• Update participant files weekly.
• Collect, organize, and enter data into appropriate formats for the WS database and other databases weekly. 
• Develop self-knowledge of issues like domestic violence, laws, policies, and case histories.
• Participate in training opportunities including: the mandatory 24-hour DCF Core Training and 6 shadowing hours to be registered for confidentiality and privilege; maintain 17 hours of domestic violence training per year.  
• Attend staff meetings and local community meetings.

Supervisory Duties

• Provide supervision of weekend operations at the Safe House, including staff and services.
• Ensure client files are complete and comply with necessary evaluation standards from funding agencies.
• Provide on call support for the Safe House on a rotating basis.

Advancement/Community Relations:

• Collaborate with other organizations and groups within the community to build partnerships and enhance fundraising activities.
• Assist in planning and coordinating events meant to raise funds (sanctioned events, community events, etc).
• Provide staff support at events, as needed.

Other

• Assist with other duties as assigned.