Shelter Advocate 290
6 days ago
Niagara Falls
Job Description JOB TITLE: Shelter Advocate PROGRAM: Passage Domestic Violence Services STATUS: Full time, (35 hours per week) FLSA DESIGNATION: Non-Exempt REPORTS TO: Community Advocacy Project Coordinator Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (or related Field) preferred, Associates Degree in Social work (or related Field) and minimum one-year experience required EXPERIENCE: Related knowledge or experience with family issues including dynamics of family violence. Experience in collaboration with community partners. SALARY RANGE: $18 - 19.75 per hour POSITION OVERVIEW: The Shelter Advocate supports the Passage Shelter team by providing case management to Survivors of abuse and their families residing at the Passage Domestic Violence Shelter; in addition to demonstrating knowledge of the mission and services of Pinnacle Community Services, Inc., (PCS). BENEFITS: • Health insurance with an HRA account (HRA-80% of the deductible), vision, and dental plans available (health insurance begins 1st day of month after 30 days of work service), • Employees working at least 1,000 hours per year and who opt out of health insurance either upon hire or during the open enrollment period will receive a $750 lump-sum payment, • Flexible Spending accounts for both health and dependent care, • Employee Assistance Program available, • Employer paid short- and long-term disability insurance available, • Employer paid life insurance with the option to purchase additional coverage at group rates (available the 1st day of month after 30 days of work service), • 401k Retirement Savings Plan – Agency contributes 1% of an employee’s salary after 1 year of service yearly AND in addition matches the first 3% that the employee contributes to their 401k Plan, • Mileage Reimbursement, • 15 Paid Time Off days, (PTO) in the first year (buy back, carryover, and transfer to Long Term Sick bank is also available at calendar year-end of unused PTO), • Employee receives yearly - 1 floating holiday and 13 recognized Agency holidays, • 1 Wellness Day yearly, • Wage/Longevity Bonuses available, • Attendance Bonus available bi-annually, • Bereavement Leave – 4 work days of leave with pay available, • Staff Recognition/Staff Appreciation events, • Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (or related field) preferred., • Associates Degree in Social Work (or related field) and one-year experience required., • Knowledge of domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health issues., • Must possess valid NYS Driver license and have access to personal vehicle during work hours., • Answers incoming telephone calls from individuals experiencing domestic violence; assesses crisis situations; and takes appropriate action, answer calls from general public requesting information in a polite and welcoming manner., • Conducts resident intakes, including all paperwork in a legible manner, and admits individual into shelter; follows all appropriate procedures upon arrival of individual to be admitted; educates residents on the Shelter Guidelines and other rules/procedures; clearly presents fire safety plan; accompanies resident to their assigned room; provides individual with essential toiletries, • Conducts interviews to assess the individual’s specific needs and implements work plans for residents and their families in shelter in collaboration with Advocacy Team., • Instructs residents in case management/navigation skills through various community services; refers to appropriate internal and external services. Monitors and evaluates service provided., • Possesses current knowledge of community referral resources for counseling, financial support, medical services/support, education/training, employment, DSS, housing, etc. for client referrals/ linkages and follow up. Networks with other service providers to assist with individual needs., • Supports the Residential Manager in working with representatives of Department of Social Services to ensure successful coordination of benefits as well as assures follow-through by client of Department of Social Services requirements with assistance from assigned Department of Social Services worker., • Coordinates with Passage Staff to respond to hotline calls/coverage, respond to emergent client needs in order to ensure shelter safety and that client needs are met, during the daytime hours., • Maintains thorough client files/statistics/client closings on a timely basis and documenting daily activities. Assists with information reports to funding bodies., • Assists Residential Manager in daily shelter duties and needs, maintaining a safe, comfortable environment for adults and children in residence., • Participates in weekly Case Conference meetings., • Meets with supervisor and actively participates in regularly scheduled supervision., • Participates actively in ongoing professional development., • Ability to work in a crisis intervention setting., • Job performed in a shelter/residential setting., • Occasional lifting (15 pounds or less)., • Occasional standing/sitting/stair climbing., • Moderate stress., • Complies with all policies and procedures of PCS (including NASW Code of Ethics, Collective Bargaining Agreement, and corporate Compliance Policies) and all governmental and legal requirements., • Subject to clearance of the Justice Center Requirements: Staff Exclusions List (SEL), NYS State Central Registry for Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR), and Criminal Background (fingerprinting)., • Report all suspected incidences of child abuse/neglect to NYS Hotline., • Attends and participates in appropriate agency staff trainings and meetings., • Advocates for cultural diversity/sensitivity as appropriate. The information contained in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of this position. EOE STATEMENT: It is the policy of Pinnacle Community Services, Inc. to provide equal opportunity in employment and delivery of those we serve without regard to hire, promotion, layoff, recall or other terms and conditions of employment because of race, creed, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, national origin, gender identity, citizenship of any person, immigration status of any person who is not a citizen of the United States, or any other category protected by law. The prohibition of discrimination includes harassment. The people we serve include all those we serve and people service groups who request and are eligible for Pinnacle Community Services, Inc. Ongoing training is provided to assure adherence to this Policy. Pinnacle Community Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.