Family Advocate

Job Summary: Under the direct supervision of the Shelter Manager, or her/his designee, the Family Advocate is responsible for providing crisis intervention and supportive services by developing individualized care plans. The position requires an ability to respond sensitively to women, teens, and their children who may be in crisis and/or seeking support. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Provide crisis intervention and counseling by telephone or in person;
• Collaborate with on-site consultants/clinicians to provide comprehensive services to high-risk clients;
• Provide field accompaniment to clients as needed - medical, criminal justice, civil legal & social services;
• Provide comprehensive assessments that will result in individual care plans;
• Coordinate linkages and work collaboratively with community-based organizations to ensure accessibility and greater options for clients and their families;
• Assist with day-to-day operations, including phone coverage, site supervision, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution;
• Participate in regularly scheduled staff and case management meetings;
• Maintain and submit program documentation in accordance with grant requirements;
• Facilitate a variety of support groups;
• Share in shelter management duties: maintain donations, clean/set-up rooms, meal provision, trash/recycling, laundry, basic maintenance, etc., and
• Other duties that are service site-specific as assigned.
  

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum two (2) years of college in the human services field of study, plus at least one (1) year of experience in domestic violence-related work or equivalent school/work/life experience.
• Experience working in a dynamic, diverse, multicultural, multilingual setting.
• Knowledge of case management, counseling techniques, peer counseling models, crisis intervention, social milieu, and group facilitation.
• Working knowledge of community resources in the San Francisco area.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work as a team member with a strong commitment to collaborative work.
• Ability to approach work with a positive, supportive, and sensitive attitude and demeanor.
• Must be able to fulfill physical requirements of the job (lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, walking up and down stairs multiple times per day, etc.).
• Understanding of confidentiality and privilege laws governing domestic violence work.
• Verifiable completion of state-mandated 40-hour domestic violence counselor training. Or will be completed during the next scheduled agency 40-hour domestic violence counselor training, including working one overnight shift at La Casa’s emergency shelter.
• Clearance through DOJ Live Scan fingerprinting is required. La Casa de las Madres will consider applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with San Francisco’s Fair Chance Ordinance.
• Valid CA driver's license may be required (depending on the position), clean driving record, and insurable under agency policy.
• TB (Tuberculosis) clearance
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.