Job Classification: Regular Part Time, Non-exempt
Salary Range: $19 per hour; paid semi-monthly
Department: Housing Services Program
Reporting Manager: Housing Services Manager
Location of job: Confidential Emergency Shelter
**Bilinigual in English and Spanish is required
To Apply: Email Resume and Cover Letter to [email protected], Attn: Human Resources
*All positions are based on funding availability and pending grant renewals. This grant is currently active through July 2025.
SUMMARY OF POSITION
Shelter Client Advocate’s provide direct services and advocacy to victims of domestic violence and
sexual assault, and educate the community regarding violence against women, children, and men,
to prevent the cycle of violence. Shelter Client Advocates carry out this mission within the
Coalition’s confidential emergency shelter, and by phone through our organization’s 24-hour
bilingual crisis hotline. Bilingual in English and Spanish in required. The schedule for this position is 11pm – 7am, Saturday and Sunday (regular overnight weekend shift).
Essential/Fundamental Job Requirements
● Answering 24-hour crisis bilingual crisis hotline to provide peer and crisis support, community referrals, and resource connections to a variety of survivors.
● Provide daily interaction and/or peer counseling with shelter residents to ensure a welcoming and safe residential space, provide on-site support, case management, and other needs at the request of the shelter resident.
● Provision of food, water, clothing, and other household establishment items to residents of the shelter as requested.
● Facilitate and maintain professional relationships with community partners, including law enforcement and medical personnel.
● Provide transportation to various locations at the request of the shelter resident towards the improvement of their case plan.
● Offer and provide advocacy in criminal justice and/or social services areas to shelter residents and hotline callers.
● Court accompaniment and assistance with filing restraining orders and child custody; when needed facilitate contact with Coalition’s Family Law Attorney for further legal needs.
● Intake and Exit processes for shelter residents.
● Remain updated and participate in trainings relevant to domestic violence survivors in shelter programs, shelter policies, procedures, and general topics in domestic violence field.
● Maintain shelter client files and collection of statistical documents as required by California Emergency Management Agency, Ventura County Human Services Agency, and other funders of the emergency shelter program.
● Dispatch on-call Rape Crisis Advocate over emergency hotline to medical/legal exam.
● Assist residents with finding employment/income, housing, resume writing, etc.
● Donation organization and supply management
● Database management and statistical report completion
Schedule
●The schedule for this position is 11pm – 7am, Saturday and Sunday (regular overnight weekend shift).
● Due to the essential functions of this job, including the crisis hotline and emergency shelter, arriving for your shift on time is an essential requirement.
● This position may fill in for on-call shifts during the week if available and interested.
● This position is eligible for overtime benefits.
Educational Requirements
● Bachelor’s Degree in social, psychological, or social services background preferred; or
relevant experience may be substituted.
Certifications
● Must obtain Domestic Violence Counselor certification that meets the requirements under California Evidence Code 1037.1 within one year of hire date.
● Must obtain Sexual Assault Counselor certification that meets the requirements under California Evidence Code 1305.2 within one year of hire date.
● Must attend agency LGBTQ+ 101 training within 6 months of hire.
Knowledge Base/Skills
● Basic computer literacy in Microsoft Office programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
● Proficiency in entering statistical data points in Apricot system within 1 month.
● Basic knowledge of general office equipment is required.
● Regularly expanding knowledge base on topics of gendered violence, impacts of domestic and sexual assault on the community, working with survivors of violence, and more by reading literature, blog and news posts, etc. is expected.
● Knowledge of family law legal procedures preferred.
Physical Requirements
● Ability to speak English and Spanish fluently is a requirement.
● Must have the ability to communicate with clientele over phone, electronic correspondence and in-person.
● 85% – 100% of the fundamental job requirements occur inside the emergency shelter facility, a two-story single family home. This position is stationed in an office on the second story of the shelter facility; the office is accessible through one flight of stairs.
● Up to three to four families may be residing in the shelter at one time, which includes adults and children. There are times that the noise level in the shelter is elevated above normal conversation levels.
● Central air and heating is available in shelter and can be controlled by staff.
● May be required to stand, sit, stoop, bend, and lift/move up to 20 lbs.
● Coalition for Family Harmony may accommodate to these physical requirements upon request.
Mental/Social Requirements
● Must be able to demonstrate working effectively with and showing respect to all survivors of violence, including those from diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, socioeconomic, sexual preferences and/or identities, gender identities/expression, and political backgrounds.
● Ability to communicate and write clearly and professionally is required.
● Must demonstrate ability to navigate crisis and solving problems independently, using best judgment and critical thinking skills.
● Must maintain a positive, friendly, and welcoming attitude with staff and residents at emergency shelter and within the organization.
● Must utilize assertiveness, professionalism and non-violent communication when handling issues with residents or staff.
● Staff is expected to use initiative in approaching and working with residents of the shelter; they are also expected to use initiative during down time to identify and work towards program needs.
OTHER INFORMATION
● Must pass extensive background check.
● Travel by car and transporting clients may be required for this position. Driver’s license required.
● The option to telecommute (or to perform essential job duties at home) is assessed on a case-by-case basis by Reporting Manager and/or Leadership team.
● COVID19 Vaccination record required (discuss exemption requests with HR).
Our Mission
Coalition for Family Harmony provides direct services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault; to
educate the community regarding violence against women, children and men; to prevent the cycle of violence.