YWCA of Greater Portland
YWCA of Greater Portland
1111 SW 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205
Telephone (503) 294-7470, Fax (503) 294-7399
www.ywca-pdx.org
Job Opening Announcement- SHELTER ADVOCATE (ON- CALL)
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Program Manager -Yolanda House
STARTING WAGE/SALARY: $9.28 per hour plus graveyard shift differentialVaried hours as needed, including nights and weekends
JOB OPENING DATE: May 15, 2009
APPLICATION CLOSURE DATE: Immediate opening, open until filled
A YWCA job application form is required, please. Resumes are welcomed but are not accepted in place of the YWCA job application form. Application forms are available at 1111 SW 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205 or www.ywca-pdx.org. Click on “About Us”; use the drop down menu to click on “Employment Application.” PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide 24/7 crisis line assistance and orientation of pre-screened survivors entering shelter. Provide support to case managers, and supervision and support to residents. Promote self-efficacy and self-sufficiency through role modeling. Have general responsibility for monitoring, crisis intervention, rules, procedures, facility operations and routine maintenance. Function as a team member with other staff. This position provides coverage for regular Shelter Advocates’ absences. Performance should be similar to regular Shelter Advocates except where duties are omitted and with a lower standard of expectations commensurate with an on-call position.JOB DUTIES:
1. Answer crisis line, assess need for service, and provide information and resource referral as appropriate.
2. When space is available, conduct phone screening for intake, determine eligibility, and schedule shelter admission when appropriate.
3. Do complete orientation with new residents including but not limited to: giving tour of facility, instructing on emergency evacuation procedures, issuing supplies, etc.
4. Report on compliance of residents to program rules.
5. As part of team, provide support pursuant to resident’s Safety Plan and Weekly Targets.
6. Use best practices, including but not limited to reflective listening, motivational interviewing, strength-based learning, to assist residents in meeting goals.
7. Conduct urine collection from residents in accordance with Yolanda House procedures.
8. Instruct residents in community responsibilities and encourage community good citizenship.
9. Assist with room inspections and searches as authorized by protocols.
10. Conduct shelter counts and periodic safety checks.
11. Conduct facility safety and sanitation checks throughout shift.
12. Clean rooms after resident departs in preparation for new resident.
13. Clean facility and facility equipment as necessary to maintain safe and healthful conditions.
14. Set alarms per protocols.
15. Maintain written records, logs, incident reports, and statistics as required.
16. Attend scheduled meetings and trainings.
17. Perform clerical support functions including filing, record keeping, copying, and word processing.
18. Communicate shift occurrences accurately and fully to incoming staff.
19. Protect all client information as strictly confidential and only available on permitted need-to-know basis.
20. Perform other related duties as assigned
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum high school diploma or GED preferred. Minimum of one-year experience working in a shelter, residential, emergency, or social service setting or equivalent education. Education/training in crisis intervention, problem solving preferred. Must have access to telephone. Must be able to complete CPR, First Aid, timely completion of contractually required 40-hours training in domestic violence. Able to work with people of diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. Able to use/learn cognitive reflective skills, motivational interviewing techniques, perform with a positive team attitude in the workplace, attention to detail, good verbal and written communication skills. Able to use computer for report writing, data entry, email, timesheets, etc. Must be able to perform this job without direct threat to oneself or others.
Shelter-based office, occasional verbal outbursts from clients. May be only staff on duty. Must pass a criminal background check (conviction of a crime may preclude employment due to contractual requirements). General good health. Hearing, speech and sight within normal limits with correction. Ability to walk length of building, regularly climb one flight of stairs, must be able to lift 25 lbs.