The Child Advocate is responsible for developing and implementing services and activities that respond to the unique needs of homeless children, youth and mothers residing at Broadview.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND TASKS:
30% Provide intake, crisis intervention, case management, advocacy-based counseling, information and referral, and other support services with children and youth residents. Participate in case conferencing, school and general provider meetings as requested to help determine service needs. Help develop and implement effective services for children, youth and mothers that address the impact of homelessness, domestic violence, racism and poverty, child abuse and substance abuse prevention, child development, positive parenting and self-esteem enhancement;
30% Help develop, coordinate and/or lead age-specific support groups, childcare and special events for children and youth. Develop and coordinate on-site and off-site recreational activities, and help facilitate access to community resources for children, youth, and their mothers, including access to daycare and transportation upon exit from the program;
25% Duties below are shared between the Child Advocates as determined by staff and Children's Program Supervisor:
o Recruit, screen, orient, train, supervise and evaluate volunteers assisting in the children and youth program. Plan volunteer recognition events and appreciation, maintain paperwork and files;
o Coordinate May and December holiday giving for 33 shelter/transitional households including determining family needs and wants, recruiting community donors, coordinating receipt and distribution and donor recognition;
o Perform supplemental computer user support including assisting in collection and inventory, performing first-level basic trouble shooting of computer and printer problems, and taking telephone direction from IS manager;
o Coordinate outside daycare needs and infant/toddler supplies/donations for all shelter and transitional residents including assistance with outside program application and enrollment. Maintain updated data resource lists;
10% Help foster an atmosphere of support and safety for residents, staff and volunteers. Help maintain order and security in the buildings and communicate/enforce program policies and procedures. Provide front desk coverage as needed;
5% Maintain accurate and confidential resident case records, statistics and daily notes.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:
Requires one of the following:
a) Three years of direct social service experience, including at least one year of experience serving low income women, children and youth; OR
b) Bachelor's degree in child development/education or a related field and at least one year of direct social service experience, including experience serving low income women, children and youth; OR
c) Any combination of education, experience and measurable performance which demonstrates the capability to perform the duties of this position.
Also requires:
• Experience facilitating support groups for children, youth and adults;
• Experience with crisis intervention, conflict resolution, child development and case management services with women and children and with providing advocacy-based counseling services to victims of domestic violence;
• Paid and/or volunteer work experience with emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, and/or other residential programs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written;
• Good organizational and record keeping skills, including the ability to maintain accurate and confidential files;
• Ability to recruit, train, coordinate and supervise volunteers;
• Excellent problem solving, facilitation and conflict resolution skills;
• Ability and willingness to work individually in a self-directed manner and as part of a team;
• Willingness and ability to work with people from a variety of racial, cultural and economic backgrounds, with various lifestyles, sexual orientations, and of all ages;
• Familiarity with issues of homelessness, domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault, and knowledge of local resources available to assist children, youth and women impacted by these issues;
• Valid driver's license, and willingness to drive program van as needed throughout King County;
• Basic knowledge of computer software (Microsoft Word and Outlook).
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS: This position works in a crisis oriented shelter environment, 70% of the time with clients, 10% of the time on a computer, and 20% time in the field moving clients, driving, and attending meetings. Work may be interrupted by the immediate needs of a client in crisis. Work involves physical movement throughout the facility and the ability to climb 4 flights of stairs. Position requires employee to lift/carry 15-30 pounds occasionally, and push/pull 10-20 pounds occasionally. Position has the ability to sit/stand as needed.
HOURS & COMPENSATION: This is a full time union position paying $18.47 per hour plus benefits. Benefits include earning 16 paid personal leave hours per month to start, 11 paid holidays, medical, dental, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 401K employer contributed profit sharing plan (fully vested after 6 months of work) and tax-sheltered health care and dependant care accounts.
TO APPLY: Applicants must complete the Solid Ground application form specific to this position. To find an application online, go to www.solid-ground.org/AboutUs/Jobs, then click on the Job Title for this position and download the attached application. You may submit your completed application at jobs@solid-ground.org. You may also leave a message on our job line at 206.694.6840 requesting a specific job application, or you may apply in person at 1501 North 45th Street in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood.
Applicants may submit completed applications by mail to: Solid Ground, Attn: Human Resources Department, 1501 N 45th St, Seattle, WA 98103-6708.
Please attach a cover letter and resume.
CLOSING DATE: 5 PM on March 21st, 2012.
WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOR AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. SOLID GROUND IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
- Location: Seattle
- Compensation: $18.47 per hour plus benefits
- This is at a non-profit organization.
- Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
- Please, no phone calls about this job!
- Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
