Domestic Violence Shelter Services (DVSS)

Job Title:           Direct Service Advocate
Reports to:       DVSS Program Director Schedule:         Part-time; Friday/Saturday, 3pm-11pm; 15 hours bi-weekly
Starting Rate:  $20.00 FLSA Status:     Non-Exempt

The YWCA of Western MA is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering survivors. The YW provides a safe place for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Our programs and services include crisis shelter and transitional housing for survivors and their families, counseling, SAFEPLAN court advocacy, community education, supervised visitation, and vocational training for youth. The YWCA provides services at several sites, including Holyoke, Northampton, Westfield, and our primary Springfield campus.

Expectations of all employees

In the performance of essential and general job responsibilities, all YWCA employees are expected to:

• Demonstrate commitment to the YWCA’s mission and principles of trauma-informed work.
• Represent the YWCA in a professional and competent manner to participants, community members, organizational partners, and other stakeholders.
• Reflect on and interrupt assumptions, personal and systemic biases, and sources of power when interacting or communicating with colleagues, clients, and external partners.
• Support policies, practices, and decisions that demonstrate our shared accountability for racial equity.
• Foster a positive working environment.
• Coordinate efforts across teams, programs, and partner organizations.
• Maintain professional behavior and strict confidentiality.

Position Purpose

The Direct Service Advocate (DSA) is responsible for providing support, advocacy and role modeling to adult, teen, and child program participants living in the YWCA’s residential programs. DSA’s are part of a team model working with peers, supervisors, clinicians and outside connections to best serve program participants. DSA’s support the agency mission and trauma informed service model in order to provide safe, consistent and quality services to vulnerable populations.

Essential Responsibilities

• Conduct shelter screenings and intakes as needed.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed.
• Help residents become acquainted with shelter and other residents upon arrival.
• Provide counseling to resident upon arrival and as needed throughout their stay.
• Responsible for maintenance and upkeep of the facility and property (including, but not limited to: vacuuming, laundry, shoveling, mopping).
• Ensure residents are following shelter schedule, including wake up times as applicable.
• Enforce shelter rules and guidelines.
• Engage with residents at meal time and ensure that residents clean up their area prior to leaving dining area.
• Ensure completion of chores as applicable.
• Complete all required paperwork and maintain client records.
• Attend monthly staff meetings.
• Provide transportation to residents and adhere to all safety laws/policies regarding seat belts, car seat requirements and speed limits at all times.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree plus 1 – 3 years of experience in human services;
• Experience working in residential setting preferred;

• Familiarity with issues of domestic violence;

• Experience with survivors of gender-based violence and exploitation;
• Experience addressing the impacts of decisions and actions on multiple communities;
• Understanding of both interpersonal and structural racism and bias;
• Ability to represent agency from a management perspective in an active union environment;
• Excellent written and organizational skills including computer skills;
• Must be able to be covered by the agency’s insurance policy; and
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs.

EEO STATEMENT

It is the policy of YWCA of Western Massachusetts to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the YWCA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

The YWCA is an “at-will” equal opportunity employer. While the YWCA will continue to operate with care regarding employment decisions, the YWCA and its employees may terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason, with or without cause, and without advance notice. Exceptions include select, non-exempt positions covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

The YWCA, in our effort to provide safety to those we serve, and to protect our agency, performs criminal offender record information (CORI) checks on all prospective employees. Final offers of employment are contingent upon receipt of an acceptable CORI report as solely determined by the YWCA.

INTRODUCTORY PERIOD

All employment at the YWCA begins with a 120-day Introductory Period.

 

APPLY HERE

 

Current Employees Apply Here

Reports to:                 Director of Adult Residential Services

Schedule:                   Full time, Tuesday-Saturday; Flexible to respond to crises and meet programmatic needs in addition to limited sharing responsibility for 24-hour on-call management

FLSA Status:             Exempt

Salary:                         $45,000 annually

The YWCA of Western MA is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering survivors. We provide a safe place for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Our programs and services include crisis shelter and transitional housing for survivors and their families, counseling, SAFEPLAN court advocacy, community education, supervised visitation, HIV education and testing, and vocational training. The YWCA provides services at several sites, including Holyoke, Northampton, Westfield, and our primary Springfield campus.

Expectations of all Employees

In the performance of essential and general job responsibilities, all YWCA employees are expected to:

• Demonstrate commitment to the YW’s mission and principles of trauma-informed work.
• Represent the YW in a professional and competent manner to participants, community members, organizational partners, and other stakeholders.
• Reflect on and interrupt assumptions as well as personal and systemic biases when interacting or communicating with colleagues, clients, and external partners.
• Support policies, practices, and decisions that demonstrate our shared accountability for racial equity.
• Communicate openly and contribute to the development of others.
• Coordinate efforts across teams, programs, and partner organizations.
• Maintain professional behavior and strict confidentiality.

Position Purpose

In close collaboration with the Director and Assistant Director, the Lead provides programmatic leadership, crisis management, and operational support for the YW’s oversight 58-bed emergency shelter. The Lead models organizational policy and practice, provides guidance to the 20-member Direct Service Advocate team, and engages with shelter guests on a daily basis.

Essential Responsibilities

• Must work one day per weekend (Saturday or Sunday)
• In consultation with the Site Director and Assistant Director, support the daily operations of the emergency shelter, including adherence to organizational and programmatic policies, practices, and requirements.
• Ensure a strengths-based model of service delivery that is mission-driven and respectful and inclusive of a diverse population.
• Contribute to new employee recruitment, selection, orientation, and ongoing training / professional development.
• Provide regular supervision to Direct Service Advocate team members, including assistance with staff scheduling and ratio compliance.
• Screen resident and/or staff incidents and/or issues with the Site Director.
• Contribute to crisis response and management in consultation with the Site Director and/or Director of Residential Services.
• Using AWARDS among other means, ensure that resident and program documentation is maintained in accordance with the YW’s Confidentiality policy.
• Share limited on-call responsibilities.
• Ensure a strengths-based model of service delivery that is mission-driven and respectful and inclusive of a diverse population.
• Communicate with the Site Director and Assistant Site Director and Director of Human Resources regarding employee concerns and/or incidents.
• Attend YW meetings, supervisions, and trainings as required / requested.
• Perform other related duties as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred plus 3-4 years of experience in human services;
• Availability to work on weekends;
• Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) skill preferred;
• Experience working in residential setting preferred;
• Experience with survivors of gender-based violence and exploitation;
• Experience addressing the impacts of decisions and actions on multiple communities;
• Understanding of both interpersonal and structural racism and bias;
• Ability to represent agency from a management perspective in an active union environment;
• Excellent written and organizational skills including computer skills;
• Must have knowledge of/contacts with community agencies;
• Must be able to be covered by the agency’s insurance policy; and
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs.

EEO STATEMENT

It is the policy of YWCA of Western Massachusetts to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the YWCA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

The YWCA is an “at-will” equal opportunity employer. While the YWCA will continue to operate with care regarding employment decisions, the YWCA and its employees may terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason, with or without cause, and without advance notice. Exceptions include select, non-exempt positions covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

The YWCA, in our effort to provide safety to those we serve, and to protect our agency, performs criminal offender record information (CORI) checks on all prospective employees. Final offers of employment are contingent upon receipt of an acceptable CORI report as solely determined by the YWCA.

INTRODUCTORY PERIOD

All employment at the YWCA begins with a 120-day Introductory Period.

 

APPLY HERE

 

Current Employees Apply Here

 

Schedule: Per Diem (Minimum of 3 Shifts per Month)

 

Current Employees Apply Here