Job description
Position: Residential Services Advocate
Location: Central Falls
Job Type: Full-time, Monday through Friday
Shifts Available: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM or 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Job Summary: The Residential Services Advocate plays a crucial role in supporting individuals and families seeking refuge in our Safe Homes. This position involves case management, crisis intervention, and advocacy for residents affected by domestic violence and/or sexual assault. The Advocate will work closely with residents to create a plan for economic stability, access essential resources, and facilitate their transition to safe and stable housing.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Admission and Orientation: Conduct all necessary activities to admit individuals and families to Safe Homes. This includes recording essential information, explaining house practices, providing tours, and distributing linens and other necessary items to new residents.
2. Support for Economic Stability: Assist residents in developing a long-term plan for economic stability through employment, education, and/or job training programs. This involves assessing interests, financial needs, and monitoring progress. Empower residents to set goals and timelines for securing housing and other resources.
3. Crisis Intervention and Advocacy: Provide crisis intervention and advocacy to residents within the Safe Home. Help identify immediate and long-term needs, review available options, and plan for transitions. Make referrals to relevant services and resources as necessary.
4. Data Management: Maintain demographic statistics on residents in the Safe Home programs and compile weekly reports through data entry.
5. Community Engagement: Represent the agency at local provider meetings as needed, building relationships and collaborating with external organizations.
6. Group Workshops: Facilitate group workshops on topics relevant to resident needs and empowerment.
7. Residents’ Meetings: Lead weekly residents’ meetings to discuss care plans, progress, and goal-setting.
8. Donations Management: Work with other staff to responsibly handle and manage donations received by the shelter.
9. Resource Research: Research and establish connections with local and statewide employment and housing resources, businesses, adult education programs, housing authorities, and housing organizations.
10. Helpline Support: Receive, screen, route, and respond to telephone calls on the Victims of Crime Helpline and agency helpline as needed.
11. On-call and Emergency Coverage: Participate in on-call and emergency coverage as needed to ensure the safety and security of residents.
12. Additional Duties: Perform any additional duties necessary for the efficient operation of the agency as assigned.
Skills and Abilities Required:
1. Exceptional interpersonal skills to provide support and assistance to clients.
2. Commitment and sensitivity to issues related to the needs of families in crisis, particularly those affected by domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
3. Effective crisis management skills.
4. Physical ability to lift 40 pounds.
Working Conditions:
· Interactive work environment with exposure to communicable diseases (colds, flu, COVID-19, etc.).
· In-state travel to agency off-sites may be required. A valid driver’s license and automobile insurance are necessary.
Minimum Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience demonstrating the acquisition of the skills and abilities required.
· A minimum of an Associate’s Degree, with knowledge of trauma-informed services, child development, and the housing first model.
· Bilingual ability in English/Spanish is a plus.
Note: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed; the Principal Duties and Responsibilities are a representative, but not exhaustive list of duties performed.
Job Type: Full-time Monday through Friday
8AM- 4PM shift or 4PM-12AM shift
The Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The organization does not discriminate against a volunteer, an employee, or applicant for employment of conditions or opportunities for employment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age or country of ancestral origin.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $18.50 – $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
· 401(k)
· 401(k) matching
· Dental insurance
· Health insurance
· Life insurance
· Paid time off
· Vision insurance
Schedule:
· 8 hour shift
· Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person