Residential Advocate - DV Residence

Whats the difference between a job and a rewarding profession

One is simply a means to an end; the other provides meaningful work with a sense of purpose and belonging.

At The Retreat we believe the work we do is meaningful and rewarding. We are committed to ending intimate partner violence in our community by providing nofee counseling legal services shelter and education programs to anyone experiencing abuse or sexual assault.

The Retreat offers an excellent benefits package including health insurance and generous PTO.

Remote work is not available for this position. The Residential Shelter operates 24 hours/365.

Specific hours: Evenings (4:30 pm12:30 am)

• Friday
• Saturday
• Sunday

PURPOSE/SCOPE OF POSITION

Ensure the safety and security of the Shelter and residents. Assist residents with activities for daily living and ensure cleanliness in all areas of the Shelter. Monitor and deescalate issues before they become problems. Maintain proper documentation as needed.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain the safety and security of the Shelter and provide confidentiality to Shelter residents
• Conduct a minimum of three walkabout security checks during each 8hour shift including client rooms living room basement and outside grounds; maintain an awareness at all times of who is in the building
• Lead fire drills and emergency evacuations
• Assess emergencies and contact appropriate responders (Fire Police EMT)
• Provide emergency coverage as needed

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Interaction

• Enter client information and activities into the client database; ensure proper recordkeeping and statistical data collection
• Ensure the physical safety of the inhabitants of the house and report any nonemergency problems in the log; initiate and process incident reports as needed
• Ensure that client logs are completed including logs for medication transportation phone and signing in and out
• Conduct intake of new clients; copy any important papers; complete/utilize the Intake Checklist to ensure accuracy
• Upon intake notify emergency services of the clients arrival and assign client locker and lock document lock distribution
• Ensure client locks medications in appropriate safe document medications in medical folders

Daily

• Night shift: set alarm confirm clients are present and check halls doors and thermostats
• Submit appropriate data to the Department of Social Services through the SOAR reporting procedure
• Check residential freezer temperature and input information in the daily temperature log
• Scan hotline forms to Courage email
• Oversee the completion of chores by clients and ensure that clients are following house guidelines
• Assist clients when necessary with wakeups for school etc.
• Carry out conflict resolution with empathy and confidence document all incidents

Hot Line Management

• Answer crisis hotline calls; process proper paperwork for all calls received; enter information into the Apricot database

Other

• Update the occupancy chart located on Google Drive when necessary
• Transport clients when needed
• When a room becomes available clean the room and launder sheets and towels for the next client
• Contact the oncall manager for guidance on any Shelter Emergencies
• Attend staff meetings and professional development training

QUALIFICATIONS

High School diploma and 4 years of experience in any of the following areas: social work womens studies psychology or counseling or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the duties of the position. An Associates degree in the areas listed above with relevant internships is acceptable.

Required capabilities:

• Demonstrated dependability and initiative; ability to handle crises with minimal supervision
• Excellent interpersonal skills; empathetic listener
• Must maintain program/client/agency confidentiality and treat clients staff and volunteers with dignity and respect
• Ability to set and observe appropriate personal limits and boundaries especially with shelter clients
• Flexibility to deal effectively with a variety of people situations problems and changes
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to write clear accurate notes and complete other paperwork thoroughly and accurately
• Must be computer literate in Word Excel and Google Docs

Other requirements:

• Must have a valid New York State Drivers License (Required)
• Bilingual / Spanish (Preferred)

Visit our website at online at The Retreat/Careers

THE RETREAT INC. IS COMMITTED TO A POLICY OF EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND WILL NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST AN APPLICANT OR EMPLOYEE BASED ON RACE CREED COLOR NATIONAL ORIGIN SEX SEXUAL ORIENTATION MILITARY STATUS VETERAN STATUS AGE MARITAL STATUS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM STATUS DISABILITY PREGNANCYRELATED CONDITION GENDER IDENTITY RELIGION GENETIC PREDISPOSITION FAMILIAL STATUS ANCESTRY PRIOR ARREST OR CONVICTION RECORD OR ANY OTHER PROTECTED CATEGORY UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.

Candidates must pass SCR SEL and OCFS Fingerprint background checks before hire.