Reports to: Program Manager
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week (one evening shift required)
Salary Range: Range starts at $16.32/hour, DOE, Benefits Included
Classification: Regular, Non-exempt, N4 Responsibility Level
Start Date: When filled
LifeWire's Vision
Domestic violence is a human rights issue. LifeWire envisions a world in which every person lives in a safe environment, free from oppression and with the opportunity to thrive.
LifeWire's Mission is to end domestic violence by changing individual, institutional and societal beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate it. To achieve this we will work with the community to:
• PROVIDE services in East and North King County to people, primarily women and children, who have experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse;
• PREVENT domestic violence through advocacy, education and support.
OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM: LifeWire strongly believes that domestic violence is directly correlated to other forms of oppression, and is rooted in and reinforced by societal structures that produce profound inequities in gender roles, relationships, and power distributions. My Sister's Home (MSH) provides emergency, confidential shelter to survivors who do not have a safe place to stay due to domestic violence. My Sister's Home has a cutting edge approach to shelter which is truly unique and allows us to support people with very limited options once they leave their batterer. Our scattered-site model is able to accommodate a wide diversity of residents, such as large families; families with adolescent male children; survivors with multiple barriers, cultural differences or non-traditional living situations and/or male-identified survivors. Staff includes an Emergency Shelter Programs Manager and three shelter advocates, inclusive of two adult resident advocates and a children/youth advocate.
OVERVIEW OF POSITION: The Bilingual Emergency Shelter Advocate is responsible for providing in-depth advocacy, crisis intervention, needs assessments, systems advocacy, resources and referrals to the residents at shelter and in the Hotel-Motel Voucher Program. Providing intensive, personalized support around immediate safety, basic needs and crisis/trauma issues breaks down many of the barriers to housing stability, which helps residents move on to secure, affordable transitional or permanent housing.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Advocacy with residents
Provide advocacy to families at shelter and any current hotel residents.
Specific tasks include:
• Use screening and assessment tools when speaking with potential survivors who are homeless due to domestic violence and in need of emergency, confidential shelter.
• Conduct intakes, new resident orientations and comprehensive needs assessments for incoming shelter residents.
• Conduct intakes for incoming hotel residents.
• Coordinate intensive advocacy and support around resident needs, such as transitional/permanent housing, DSHS benefits, health, education, employment, basic criminal and/or civil legal issues, ESL classes, immigration options and other issues as appropriate.
• Work closely with LifeWire's housing advocates in the Community Based Housing program to assess and address barriers to stable housing, such as bad or no credit, evictions and other financial hurdles.
• Conduct daily check in with hotel residents during their stay to provide advocacy, referrals and limited basic needs assistance (food, clothing, personal care items).
• Provide culturally appropriate services and referrals and/or coordinate interpreter supports to shelter residents as needed.
• Organize and/or facilitate a variety of shelter recreational and/or community building activities for residents, to aid in breaking isolation and rebuilding self-esteem, such as community yoga, family movie and karaoke nights, salsa classes, etc.
• Provide crisis intervention, conflict resolution and skill building with residents.
• Network with other agencies for advocacy, support and/or resources for residents.
• Provide transportation to residents occasionally when necessary.
Community partnerships
• Maintain existing relationships with community nonprofit partner agencies, as well as transitional and/or permanent housing programs, subsidized housing providers, private landlords, law enforcement, systems-based advocates, DSHS, CPS and medical, counseling and chemical dependency treatment providers.
• Create new partnerships with community agencies to meet the needs of shelter residents and to build on existing resource base for residents.
General duties
• Work very closely and cooperatively in a team setting with the advocate staff and shelter manager.
• Work together with agency-wide staff including resource coordinator, interns, donors and volunteers.
• Work in collaboration with apartment managers at the shelter apartment complex.
• Maintain shelter data (resident logs, records, and statistical information) on a regular basis for funding purposes.
• Participate in shelter and agency-wide staff meetings.
• Participate in general office duties as necessary to ensure smooth functioning.
• Participate in maintaining shelter facility in compliance with fire and health code regulations.
• Prepare vacated apartment units to welcome new incoming survivors (cleaning, stocking).
• Attend relevant trainings.
• Assist in providing training for other staff, volunteers, donors and interns as needed.
KEY REQUIREMENTS:
• Must complete 20 hours of advocacy training prior to providing direct service.
• Must complete 30 hours of continuum training after first year of hire.
• Participate in trainings related to domestic violence, homelessness and other social/human service issues, anti-violence/anti-oppression, general advocacy skills and diversity.
• Remain knowledgeable of shelter and agency guidelines and procedures so independent decisions may be made in emergency as well as daily situation.
• Remain knowledgeable of contracts ensuring we are in compliance.
QUALIFICATIONS:
I Requirements:
• Ability to write, read and speak fluently in English and any of the following languages; Russian/Ukrainian, Somali, Amharic, Tigrigna, Mandarin, Thai or Vietnamese. Other language pairs may be considered depending on qualifications.
• B.A. in related field. Work experience may be substituted for education.
• Two (2) years experience in crisis intervention/domestic violence advocacy.
• One (1) year experience providing direct services to families in residential facility preferred.
• Knowledge of the connection between domestic violence and oppression.
• Experience in the area of chemical dependency or mental health preferred.
• Experience, ability and willingness to work as a team with culturally diverse staff, volunteers, interns, donors and program participants.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 50 pounds; must be able to climb stairs, bend and reach over head.
• Valid Transportation and Washington State Driver's License.
• Updated CPR and First Aid Certification required.
• AIDS/HIV Certification required.
• Basic Computer Skills.
• Pass background checks
• Attend work regularly
II LifeWire's Values: LifeWire's employees are made of people who believe passionately about the value of this work and take personal responsibility for bringing success to the agency. LifeWire's team spirit is, at its core, made up these values:
• Leadership: LifeWire is a leader in the domestic violence movement, using experienced and cutting-edge approaches that transform lives and foster future leaders.
• Respect and Dignity: LifeWire believes that every person, whether it's the survivors we serve, our volunteers or our staff, has value, deserves respect and has inherent dignity.
• Justice: LifeWire is part of and connected to a larger movement to end all types of oppression and violence.
• Empowerment: LifeWire provides access to options and opportunities for survivors, AND we believe that survivors have the inherent ability to thrive and are capable of making their own decisions.
• Equality: Everyone deserves to be safe from domestic violence, regardless of their background and access to resources.
• Passion & Commitment: We are deeply committed to ending domestic violence and approach our efforts with passion.
• Professionalism: Our staff and volunteers are highly knowledgeable and skilled in the domestic violence arena, value each other, create a supportive work environment, and conduct themselves professionally at all times.
• Education: We believe that education is one of the best tools we have to prevent domestic violence from occurring today and in the future.
TO APPLY:
• Visit http://www.edvp.org/getinvolved/careers.aspx to download an application packet and background history check form.
• Please return your cover letter, resume, completed agency application form and background history check form to:
LifeWire
ATTN: Human Resources
P.O. Box 6398
Bellevue, WA 98008-0398
FAX: (425) 649-0752
• If all four application parts are not turned in, application will not be considered.
• Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
LIFEWIRE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER. WE VALUE DIVERSITY ON OUR STAFF. SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND PERSONS OF COLOR ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
- Compensation: starts at $16.32 per hour
- 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.
