DV Family Advocate

Location: Seattle, WA

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:30pm (11:00am-7:30pm one day/week)

Pay: $28.50/hour

Status: Regular Full-Time / Non-Exempt

*Applicants must be available for in-person interviews in Seattle, WA.

The Salvation Army's Hickman House Joint Component Transitional Housing and Rapid Rehousing Program is a Seattle based 10-unit facility-based transitional housing program for adult survivors of domestic violence and their children (12 month stay) as well as a Rapid Rehousing Component that can be (up to) 12 months of rental subsidy assistance and case management. Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Family DV Advocate is responsible for the provision and coordination of a comprehensive children's program that includes intake and assessment, case management, facilitating support groups, regular children's activities and events at the transitional facility, parenting support and advocacy, and referrals to resources. The work schedule for this position may include 1-2 evenings/nights a week.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide children's activities and programming as needed for children ages 0-17 such as art projects, games, arts and crafts, field trips, movie nights. Coordinate birthdays, holidays, field trips, seasonal events and other special events as directed.
• Develop and conduct parental support/parenting skills groups and/or one-on-one sessions.
• Conduct an intake assessment with parents and children as they enter program with the aim of assessing and meeting the child's needs, for example, for clothing, medicine, toys, schooling, counseling, etc. and help enroll children in daycare and school.
• Provide information and referral to parents with respect to various resources, programs and services for children and parents in the community.
• Arrange necessary contacts, letters, or communications with other agencies or individuals to assist parent and child attainment of goals and access to resources.
• Maintain case documentation that reflects assessment and on-going evaluation of client progress and collect accurate statistical data as required by contracts and supervisor.
• Work closely with the DV advocacy staff on all matters related to clients and children and share new and changing information about community resources with staff.
• Provide guidance for volunteers of the Children's Program, including providing necessary materials, education, curriculum, space for tutoring, feedback, support, and recognition.
• Timely order and maintain adequate necessary children's supplies such as, bottles, diapers, formula, school and art supplies, books, toys etc.
• Provide back-up support to DV advocates as needed.
• Meet with Rapid Rehousing clients in the community as needed to provide financial assistance and resources such as diapers and wipes, formula, gift cards, etc.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings, providing progress reports and coordinating residents' plans and goals.
• Maintain contact with former residents/clients and their children to support stability in permanent housing for up to 12 months.
• Perform clerical duties including the creation and maintenance of accurate computerized records and paper files and all necessary statistical and outcome reporting, data collection and project evaluation to satisfy internal and external requirements per strict deadlines.
• Provide crisis intervention and institute security procedures should a critical or threatening situation arise and provide timely and appropriate notification to police, fire, emergency medical, and internal and external supervisory authorities.
• Participate in advocacy and interagency networking through coalitions, meetings, task forces, and education/training opportunities.
• Participate as a representative on committees, inter-agency meetings or for special events and projects, as needed or at the request of the Program Manager.
• Provide orientation, support, and supervision to volunteers and assist with the orientation and training of new staff and student interns.
• Participate in in-service training, conferences, classes, and related opportunities to meet Washington State requirements for domestic violence service providers and to continue professional growth and development.
• Respectfully represent The Salvation Army's programs to the community and referral agencies.
• Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License.
• Must be willing and able to pass TSA in-house driving test.
• Must be able to pass an MVR check in adherence with TSA's MVR Check policy.
• Perform other duties that may be required, at the request of the Program Manager.

Education & Experience

• A bachelor's degree in social work or related or experience providing services to children or equivalent work experience in related a field with two years' experience providing services to children. Experience working with homeless populations and services is desirable.
• Experience and training in working with children and parents affected by domestic violence and dealing with such issues as sexual assault, conduct disorders, mental health issues, and child abuse and neglect.
• Experience in working independently to provide parents' and children's group activities and programming.
• Experience and education in the field of domestic violence and advocacy-based counseling, including 20 hours of domestic violence education per WAC 38861A0350 in the first year of hire and 20 hours in each year thereafter including a minimum of five hours of training each year on providing services and advocacy to individuals from marginalized populations.
• Experience in networking and advocating with other agencies on behalf of abused adults and their children is desirable.
• Experience, ability, and willingness to engage, communicate with and value staff and residents from a diverse range of racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds and with various language capabilities, religious beliefs, lifestyles, sexual orientations, gender identities, age variance, and abilities.
• A commitment to the values of equity and inclusion by honoring diverse characteristics and expressions of personal identity.
• Effective English language communications ability in verbal and written forms, both machine-produced and handwritten.
• Basic mathematical skills (addition, subtraction, division, multiplication & percentages).
• Keyboard skills which allow an error-adjusted rate of at least 40 words per minute
• Intermediate level computer skills, including strong proficiency Microsoft 365, word processing, creating and maintaining spreadsheets, and entering client and grant required data into databases with a high level of accuracy. The ability and willingness to learn new software programs as needed and with training.
• Ability to identify, understand and articulate how institutionalized racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, and other oppressions have led to profound inequalities in all indicators of success and wellness.
• Ability to identify economic, social, cultural, physical, and environmental factors which support or limit family or individual functioning.
• Strong crisis intervention skills with ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks under stressful conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently and as part of a team environment, with proven ability to assist and support in the development of team decisions and program policies.
• Ability to successfully complete Salvation Army child safety training and to be approved through the background/reference check procedure, in accordance with Risk Management and Human Resources protocols. Successful completion of periodic retraining and re-approvals is required for continued employment.
• Ability and willingness to understand and fully comply with mandatory reporting requirements and laws pertaining to vulnerable adults and children. Training in these will be provided in-house by the Salvation Army.
• Ability and willingness to respect and maintain the confidentiality of client information, in compliance with applicable law and Salvation Army policies and procedures.
• Ability to exercise mature and sound judgment in problem-solving and the decision-making process.
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to present material effectively in written and oral form.
• Adherence to the NASW social work code of ethics including the scrupulous avoidance of self-dealing and conflict of interest.
• Willingness to abide by Salvation Army's drug and alcohol policy.
• Completion of CPR and First Aid certification and bloodborne pathogen training within 90 days of employment. Training in these will be provided in-house by the Salvation Army.
• Flexibility to work unscheduled hours in the event of emergencies.
• Ability to work cooperatively with individuals and groups and to coordinate service plans with other social service agencies.

The information in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description.

A generous benefits package is included with full-time positions: paid holidays, vacation time, sick time, and medical, vision, and dental insurance.

Health Insurance: Low bi-weekly premiums for employee-only coverage, Kaiser HMO for those residing in a Kaiser service area, Anthem EPO/PPO is available for those residing outside a Kaiser service area. Voluntary +1 and +family coverage at additional cost. Delta Dental DHMO and DPPO dental insurance are offered.

Life and Voluntary Options: An employer-paid life insurance policy covers employees. Voluntary supplemental life, short-term and long-term disability plans are available.

Retirement Plans: Employer-funded Money Purchase Pension Plan (Defined Contribution Plan) 50% vested at five years' eligible service time. Plus, an employee-funded voluntary 403(b) option.

Parental Leave: The benefit is 40 hours of Paid Leave for qualifying events.

Sick Leave: 12 days of Sick Leave annually accruing from day one, eligible for use after three months' service time.

Paid Vacation:

• Two weeks annually, accruing from day one, for non-exempt positions.
• Four weeks annually, from day one, for exempt positions.
• Accrued vacation is eligible for use after six months' service time.

Paid Holidays: 13 designated holidays + 1 floating holiday per year

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is Based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.