Family Advocate (SL County)
Title: Family Advocate
Department: Shelter
Location: Salt Lake County Site
Supervisor: Youth Program Lead
Category: Full time (40 hours per week)
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Pay: $18-20.00 per hour DOE
Differentials available for bilingual English/Spanish fluency and weekend or graveyard hours.
Schedule: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 700 pm (or 12 noon – 8 pm). Flexibility in shifts worked is required as Shelter Services operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
GENERAL PURPOSE
The Family Advocate is a Specialty Advocate role. The Family Advocate needs to be fully trained as a Resident Advocate as they will fill in as needed on the helpline and with other Resident Advocate duties. The focus of the Family Advocate is offering assistance and support to children and their families while they reside in the shelter. This support includes welcome meetings, safety planning, Family Support groups, and working in the after-school program and summer camp. This position will communicate with the families throughout their stay and offer suggestions and resources to solve problems with them.
South Valley Services is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide options to anyone who has experienced domestic and sexual violence. SVS provides free and confidential services including emergency shelter, safe housing, trauma-informed counseling, advocacy, and tools for life.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance. The ability to arrive on time and work scheduled shifts is necessary to provide the required level of services to clients.
- All advocates answer and manage multiple phone lines on the 24-hour help line; provide crisis advocacy, safety planning support, and referrals and information to help callers with guidance and resources; and document all activities in an electronic database.
- Complete welcome meetings with all families within 48 hours of arrival. Provide community resources, school information, referrals, and safety planning as needed.
- Monitor situations to ensure compliance with DCFS reporting laws, make DCFS referrals as needed, and follow up with parents and youth on all cases.
- Assist parents in obtaining needed items for youth.
- Provide limited childcare to assist parents.
- Provide therapy recommendations and referrals for youth and parent support.
- Monitor children and parents to ensure proper supervision and a safe environment at all times.
- Assist with preparation for materials and activities for children’s activities/programs.
- Facilitate children’s activities and events as needed, including the After School and Summer Camp programs.
- Ensure Children’s Learning Center and all items are clean and sanitized regularly and comply with all safety, sanitation, and health regulations.
- Communicate regularly with the Development Team regarding needs/donations for children’s activities/programs.
- Meet biweekly to discuss behavioral needs/goals and parenting support.
- Coordinate with volunteers who assist in the After School and Summer Camp programs.
- Assist with all general Resident Advocate duties as needed including but not limited to: cleaning resident bedrooms/bathrooms upon exit of residents; maintaining all areas free from health/safety/fire hazards; and conducting safety and security checks of residents and property by moving inside and outside the facility.
- Demonstrate support for/practice SVS strategic imperative of being part of a 360-degree, trauma-informed organization.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with residents, staff, volunteers, donors, and vendors.
- Ensure confidentiality and proper handling of all client information.
- Perform CPR and administer First Aid as needed.
OTHER DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Complete miscellaneous duties to comply with sanitation, safety, health, DCFS, and licensing regulations.
- Attend all required SVS training and meetings.
- Meet biweekly with supervisor to provide updates and reports on progress.
- Assist with special projects and events.
- Complete other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
- Minimum of 6 to 12 months working with children/families in crisis.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook.
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing in English.
- Ability to form positive connections with children and work with people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Ability to demonstrate/utilize compassion, empathy, and respect when interacting with residents and callers on the 24-hour helpline.
- Pass and maintain eligible status on a Direct Access Clearance System (DACS) criminal background check.
- Obtain First Aid and CPR Certification within 30 days and recertify every two years.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of domestic violence dynamics and prevention strategies, and trauma-informed practices.
- Bilingual English/Spanish fluency.
WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work environment includes an office environment and a residential Shelter environment. Answering the helpline, talking to callers, and entering information into a computer is required. Moving around the Shelter to perform maintenance and conduct security and safety checks is also required, as is time spent cleaning/sanitizing resident rooms, bathrooms, the Children’s Learning Center, and restocking supplies in common areas. Basic cleaning tasks include but are not limited to: sweeping, mopping, dusting, changing and washing linens, and sanitizing items and bathrooms.
These duties require moving up and down stairs, lifting/moving items to facilitate cleaning and stocking, and moving around outside the Shelter during all weather conditions. Other tasks may be necessary for the maintenance of the Shelter and the safety of the residents.
EQUIPMENT USED
- Operation/use of basic office equipment such as telephone, computer, scanner, and copy machine.
- Operation/use of basic cleaning tools such as mop, broom, vacuum, and washer/dryer.
Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of duties, responsibilities, or activities that are required for this job. Duties, responsibilities, or activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. Contact SVS Human Resources for assistance.