Shelter Advocate Part Time - ON SITE (Thursday-Friday 8am-4:30pm)

Hummingbird Haven Emergency Shelter

Shelter Advocate Job Description

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About Us: The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Cast) is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization that is working to put an end to human trafficking through comprehensive, lifesaving services to survivors and a platform to advocate for groundbreaking policies and legislation. Over the past two decades, Cast has supported thousands of survivors through every phase of their journey to freedom from counseling to legal resources, to housing, educational and leadership training, and mentorship. Through these programs, Cast has helped empower survivors to overcome their traumatic pasts and become leading voices in shaping policy and public awareness to ultimately put an end to the fastest growing criminal enterprise of the 21st century.

CAST offers generous benefits, including medical, life, paid sick/vacation time, and a 403(b) plan. Additionally, we provide you with an opportunity for continued learning through career, professional & personal development, and training along with working with a team of committed individuals, where you are supported and given every chance to succeed.

Title/Position: Hummingbird Haven Shelter Advocate

Pay: $24.04 per hour (DOE)

Status: Non-Exempt

Department: Empowerment Programs

Reports To: Shelter Program Manager

Employment Type: Part Time, Thursday-Friday 8am-4:30pm

Location: Los Angeles, CA / On-Site

PURPOSE OF POSITION

This position requires thorough knowledge and understanding of a human rights, strengths-based approach in serving clients. The Shelter Support Staff should be familiar with and employ key social work values, including client empowerment, professional boundaries, and self-care. independent decision-making ability, and excellent interpersonal and team-building skills. Full-time, non-exempt position. Some shifts may include holidays to ensure adequate coverage of the shelter program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Intake and Assessment: Manage the intake process and move in for incoming residents

• Answer hotline calls from CAST's 24/7 hotline, and respond accordingly by:
  • Perform client intake, screen new referrals, triage needs, create initial action plans, and coordinate with client, CAST staff, and partners to address emergency needs.
  • Inform on-call Emergency Response staff of any urgent calls that require immediate follow-up from the hotline.
  • Make appropriate referrals when space is not available at shelter, or they are not eligible for shelter services.
  • Document all hotline calls in the database.
  • Coordinate transportation to the shelter program,
  • Coordinate and manage resident move in and orientation; and
  • Enter data in a timely into organization database.

House Management: Oversee the daily maintenance and operations of the shelter.

• Contact the Shelter Program Manager or on-call supervisor if any urgent and/or safety issues arise that need immediate attention during shift.
• Document in Staff Log any client observations or needs during shift as well as any shelter maintenance needs and concerns.
• Document in Staff Log any hotline calls that are potential incoming shelter clients.
• Participate in shift exchange with incoming staff to update on any occurrences and client needs.
• Email Shelter Case Manager of any case management requests from client.
• Conduct routine walk-through of the building including all floors, and entrances to ensure the safety of residents and staff.
• Manage the preparation of preparing the beds and rooms for new move ins.
• Conduct and manage the intake orientation for new clients.
• Conduct discharge procedure upon exit.
• Conduct Room Checks as directed by Shelter Program Manager and/or Shelter Case Manager.
• Assist clients with online applications for employment, housing, and benefits as directed by the Case Manager.
• Assist with client accompaniments as assigned.
• Ensure communal chore assignments are being completed.
• Uphold policies and procedures that contribute to the safety and confidentiality of the Cast Shelter Program.

Crisis Intervention: Provide short-term intervention to help clients receive assistance, resources, stabilization and support.

• Assess and respond to client crises with a strength-based, problem-solving approach.
• Contact the Shelter Program Manager or on call supervisor if immediate assistance is needed to stabilize a client.
• Under the direction of the Shelter Program Manager, document all incidents and continue to monitor resident relations.

Conflict Resolution: Manage and diffuse conflict between residents as they occur and manage any safety concerns that may arise from conflicts.

• Assess and respond to conflict and offer a peaceful solution to disagreements.
• Contact the Shelter Program Manager or on call supervisor if immediate assistance is needed.
• Under the direction of the Shelter Program Manager, document all incidents and continue to monitor resident relations.
• Communicate disputes and/or issues that require further intervention with Shelter Case Manager.

Shift Coverage: Provide coverage for shelter staff for planned time off or other staff needs to call out at either shelter programs.

• Cover shift for other shelter staff as needed or requested;
• Cover shift either at Hummingbird Haven or Mariposa Haven as needed.

Administrative Assistance: Provide administrative support that facilitates the day-to-day operations of the shelter.

• Enter service notes on services provided in organization database on all client interactions daily.
• Maintain inventory of supplies and order when needed as directed by the Shelter Program Manager.
• Assist with maintaining resources such as job listings, housing listings, medical, dental, etc.
• Manage workshop calendar scheduling and distribution, under the direction of the Shelter Program Manager.
• Schedule interpreters for workshops.
• Assist Shelter Case Manager and Assistant Shelter Case Manager in scheduling transportation for clients (such as Uber, Lyft, etc.).
• Manage distribution and log (on distribution form and database) gift cards and transportation passes, with approval from Shelter Program Manager and/or Shelter Case Manager or Shelter Assistant Case Manager.
• Provide administrative assistance to the Shelter Program Manager, Shelter Case Manager, and Assistant Shelter Case Manager as needed.
• Enter time worked into Paylocity at the end of each shift.
• Read, review, and answer emails by the end of each shift.

*Other duties in line with CAST Shelter Program needs, as needed and requested.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Bachelor of Arts or Science degree, or extensive experience and demonstrated skills and aptitude considered in lieu of education.
2. Shelter or group home experience preferred.
3. Bilingual preferred (Spanish, Arabic, one or more of the API languages)
4. Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision; Must be organized, flexible, detail-oriented, and multi-tasking.
5. Must be a self-starter, able to work in a team environment and manage time effectively.
6. Strong assessment skills and experience to determine client needs;
7. In depth knowledge of issues related to providing services to survivors of human trafficking, human rights and violence against women.
8. Demonstrated sensitivity to and knowledge of issues involved in working with diverse populations and/or with individuals who have limited English proficiency.
9. Knowledge of multidisciplinary and multicultural approaches;
10. Ability to maintain a positive, cooperative, and professional demeanor with clients, partner organizations, volunteers/interns, staff/board, donors, consultants, and members of the public.
11. Excellent oral and written communication skills;
12. Ability to operate computer systems, including Internet, email, databases, and word processing software (Microsoft Office Suite);
13. Capacity to work in a fast-paced program and manage multi-faceted services;

Physical demands are typical for an office environment, including sitting, reaching, lifting, speaking, hearing, and seeing - reasonable accommodations can be made.

The Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (Cast) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, CAST complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

CAST offers generous benefits, including medical, life, paid sick/vacation time, a 403(b) plan, and Supervision for Licensure hours. Additionally, we provide you an opportunity for continued learning through career, professional & personal development, and training along with working with a team of committed individuals, where you are supported and given every chance to succeed.