Domestic Violence Advocate - On-Call

Benefits:

• Training & development

SUMMARY:   This role provides essential crisis intervention, residential client services, and administrative support in a shelter environment. This position is responsible for answering the 24-hour crisis hotline, providing emotional support, conducting intakes, and ensuring the well-being of residential clients. The role also includes assisting with case management, coordinating referrals, and ensuring shelter operations run smoothly. Staff will facilitate group sessions, conduct client check-ins, and maintain shelter cleanliness, safety, and organization. The position demands a high level of compassion, knowledge of community resources, and the ability to follow agency policies while promoting self-sufficiency and safety for those experiencing domestic violence. 
Schedule:
On-call, varies - MUST HAVE 3rd Shift (12 AM - 8 AM) and weekend availability
 
About Crisis Center for South Suburbia
The Crisis Center for South Suburbia is a non-profit organization committed to providing emergency shelter and essential services to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence. We serve thousands of individuals annually across the south suburban Chicago area, offering a comprehensive range of support services. We value inclusivity, professionalism, and ethical service delivery, and we encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Domestic Violence Advocate - 
 This role provides essential crisis intervention, residential client services, and administrative support in a shelter environment. This position is responsible for answering the 24-hour crisis hotline, providing emotional support, conducting intakes, and ensuring the well-being of residential clients. The role also includes assisting with case management, coordinating referrals, and ensuring shelter operations run smoothly. Staff will facilitate group sessions, conduct client check-ins, and maintain shelter cleanliness, safety, and organization. The position demands a high level of compassion, knowledge of community resources, and the ability to follow agency policies while promoting self-sufficiency and safety for those experiencing domestic violence. 

 
JOB SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 
Crisis Hotline and Client Intake 

• Answer the 24-hour crisis hotline, providing crisis intervention, emotional support, and accurate referrals to callers.
• Complete agency intakes, provide information about shelter services, and consult approval staff regarding shelter intakes.
• Complete all hotline-related documentation accurately and efficiently, ensuring proper client intake forms are processed.
• Respond to inquiries and follow-up calls in a timely and compassionate manner, ensuring a high standard of customer service.
• Monitor and manage the entry of clients and visitors through security doors, ensuring the safety and security of the premises.
• Complete comprehensive shelter check-ins and shelter exits to ensure all documentation is accurately and thoroughly completed. 

Residential Client Services
 

• Establish regular client check-ins throughout the client’s stay, ensuring needs are met and progress is tracked.
• Facilitate shelter tours for new clients, assign client rooms, and distribute linens.
• Prepares and serve lunch and dinner each shift for all adult and child shelter residents, including meal clean up. 
• Maintains a clean and orderly shelter kitchen and pantry area, including regular and thorough cleaning of appliances, walls, cabinets, shelves, etc. 
• Organizes shelter food stock, regularly rotating donated foods for storage to shelter pantry, and ensuring that food items in freezers and refrigerators are covered and labeled appropriately.
• Assist clients with room changes and conduct room checks as necessary to ensure safety and compliance with shelter guidelines.
• Communicate and enforce shelter guidelines consistently and compassionately, helping clients understand and adhere to the program guidelines.
• Provide trauma informed care and domestic violence education to clients to promote healing and self-sufficiency.
• Facilitate group sessions for clients, focusing on communication strategies, conflict resolution, life skills and domestic violence education.
• Be knowledgeable about local services and resources to provide accurate and compassionate referrals.
• Operating an agency vehicle to transport clients and/or conduct agency-related business is an essential function of this position. A valid driver’s license and eligibility to operate an agency vehicle in accordance with agency insurance requirements are required. 

Operational and Administrative Duties
 

• Manage shelter cleanliness and organization, completing weekly rotation of shelter tasks, monitoring client chores, and ensuring the living environment is safe and clean.
• Track and manage residential storage of clients' belongings, including labeling and discarding personal items as needed.
• Manage and fill client personal supply requests.
• Complete daily shift reports, ensuring comprehensive documentation of client interactions, activities, and any issues that arise.
• Monitor client’s use of shelter property, ensuring rooms are cleaned upon check-out and any needed repairs are reported via the Mojo ticket system.
• Maintain accurate records, including Empower entries and client documentation, in coordination with the Data Entry Clerk.
• Assist with the training and support of new staff, volunteers, and interns
• Ensure all shelter supplies are adequately stocked and organized.
• Ensure a clean and organized hotline/RM station, including sanitizing workspaces as well as sweeping and mopping as needed.
• Accept and manage in-kind donations, ensuring proper documentation and receipt forms are completed.
• Participate in all staff meetings, department meetings, trainings, and supervision as required by the Victim Services Department.
• Maintain professional, accurate, and timely communication both within the agency and with external partners.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisor to ensure the effective operation of the shelter and support for clients.

 Requirements:
- Bachelor's Degree
- A valid driver’s license and eligibility to operate an agency vehicle in accordance with agency insurance requirements are required.
- 40 Hour Domestic Violence Training preferred, but not required