Shelter Advocate

Austin, TX

Full Time

Community Shelter

Entry Level

Shelter Advocate

Community Shelter seeks a full-time Shelter Advocate. A Shelter Advocate provides face to face services to clients staying at our Community Shelter. This position is responsible for client assessments, case management, client support, education, referral and collaborating with internal and external programs. The Community Shelter is currently using a scattered site model that will develop into a traditional shelter setting with 24/7 staff. This position may provide mobile services and the use of a personal vehicle and or the ability to drive a 15 passenger van is required. This position will provide services in person.

About SAFE:

SAFE’s mission is our name: Stop Abuse For Everyone. We achieve our mission by acknowledging and responding to the intersection of child abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, and domestic violence.
The SAFE Alliance grew out of the courageous work of the Center for Battered Women, the Austin Rape Crisis Center, and the Austin Children’s Shelter, all respected, women-led human service agencies created by volunteers and informed by survivors who needed support, safety and justice.
With over 20 programs and 400 staff, we have been serving the Austin community and beyond for over 30 years.
The SAFE Alliance strongly encourages members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ identified people, gender-nonconforming people, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people who speak a language in addition to English.

About this position:

We need you to fill the role of a Shelter Advocate. This is a full-time, salaried non-exempt position at The Community Shelter. We will pay you an annual salary of $43,775 and candidates who are fluent in both English and Spanish languages (verbal and written) and are able to provide this service are eligible for a language differential. The work hours are generally Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

Key Duties:

Provide trauma informed support and guidance to survivors of child abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence and/or human trafficking residing in our family shelter program.
Provide support to survivors living in our Family Shelter program with immediate needs, communal living issues, safety planning and help them access internal and external services to address health, access to benefits, legal, housing needs and anything else that will help them re-establish their lives.
Maintain a safe environment by de-escalating or responding to crisis situations in a professional and respectful manner, engage the support of emergency services when needed, and document any such incidents according to the our program standards.
Maintain excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage details and multiple priorities effectively and possess the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
Possess exceptional communication and listening skills to effectively be part of an interdisciplinary team to support those we serve.
Completing all required data entry for clients, such as client service logs.
Driving an agency van to provide assistance to clients while they obtain their self-sufficiency goals.

Qualifications:

Possess a Bachelor's degree in social work or related field.
Two years’ experience in human services is required; however, two years of professional experience in human services may be substituted for each year of bachelor’s level education.
1-2 years’ direct client or crisis intervention experience preferred.
Knowledge of issues and systems related to domestic violence, sexual abuse, human trafficking, child abuse and homelessness preferred.
Ability to work in a high stress, fast-paced environment while maintaining a calm and professional demeanor.
Ability to establish rapport, trust and boundaries with clients.
Ability to use office equipment, Microsoft Office products, and other software on a PC platform to enter/update data into our database regularly.
Pass all required criminal history background checks (including an FBI fingerprint check), as well a pre-employment drug screen and TB test.
Must have a valid, State of Texas Driver’s License, and at least three (3) consecutive years of driving experience OR one (1) year of driving experience if over 27 years of age; AND an acceptable driving record; AND if in possession of an out-of-state license, obtain a State of Texas Driver’s License within 90 days of beginning employment.
All employees are required to comply with policies regarding COVID-19, which may be subject to change. COVID vaccines are still highly recommended, and we encourage employees to get vaccinated if they are able.

About our benefits:

Full-time employees receive employer paid health insurance, short-term disability, and life insurance.*
Optional dental, vision and pet insurance.*
403(b) retirement plan with an employer match, and 15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO), 4 Personal Holidays, 7 Paid holidays and more.*
We’ll provide you with an amazing work environment where you’ll get to make a difference every day.

*Benefits are prorated based on date of hire and hours worked. Eligibility is dependent upon FTE, status, etc.

For the most up-to-date and comprehensive list of our job openings, please visit our career page.

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Do you have a valid driver's license?*

Are you willing to relocate?*

What's your highest level of education completed?*

What languages do you speak fluently?

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Can you work overtime?

Are you over 21 years of age?*

List any alternative names you have worked under (ex. maiden name, nickname, middle name, name change).

Are any members of your family currently employed by The SAFE Alliance? If yes, please provide their name and title.

Have you ever worked for the SAFE Alliance (including The Austin Children's Shelter/Austin Children's Services, SafePlace, or LIFT Alliance)? If so, please list your former title and dates of employment.

Have you ever volunteered for the SAFE Alliance (including The Austin Children's Shelter/Austin Children's Services, SafePlace, or LIFT Alliance)? If so, please list your volunteer role, dates active, and name of your volunteer supervisor. **

Are you legally eligible to work in the United States?
Note: You will be required to furnish documents to verify your eligibility for employment in accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act and your employment will be contingent upon furnishing such documents. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.* YesNo

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above statements and hereby grant permission to confirm the information supplied on this questionnaire by me. I authorize The SAFE Alliance to check the references provided, including my former employers, supervisors and schools. I authorize these individuals, companies and institutions to furnish The SAFE Alliance with any information they have about me, and I release and hold them and The SAFE Alliance harmless from any liability or damage whatsoever with respect to the release or use of this information.* I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above statements and hereby grant permission to confirm the information supplied in this application, profile and questionnaire by me.I do not grant permission to confirm the information supplied in this application, profile and questionnaire and wish to be removed from consideration for this position.

Do you have at least three (3) consecutive years of driving experience OR one (1) year of driving experience if over 27 years of age? * **

Please list 3 professional references, including at least 1 supervisor reference (first and last name, job title/professional relationship, phone number, and email address.)*

Were you referred to SAFE by a current SAFE employee? If so, please share the name of your referrer.*

The following questions are entirely optional.

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.

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Submissions made without a resume attached will not be accepted.

The recruiting staff will contact you regarding your selection status via email within 7 to 10 days.

Shelter Advocate

Apply for this position

Submissions made without a resume attached will not be accepted.

​​The recruiting staff will contact you regarding your selection status via email within 7 to 10 days.

Shelter Advocate

Apply for this position

The recruiting staff will contact you regarding your selection status via email within 7 to 10 days.