On-call position at $21.53/hr (D.O.E)

Program Description

The Bunny Wilburn Home is a women’s shelter program located in the Martin Luther King Jr Day Home Center in the Central District of Seattle. This low-barrier, harm reduction shelter offers 24-hour services to women experiencing homelessness. In addition to semi-private rooms, the 40 women who reside at BWH also have access to meal programs, volunteer opportunities and case management services. Our goal is to help women stabilize, envision the future and move out of homelessness permanently.

Position Description

Women’s Advocates are responsible for creating a safe, welcoming environment, offering assistance and support to the women who reside at BWH, and fostering a team environment among shelter staff and volunteers. As a low-barrier, harm reduction program, staff engage women where they are, using a strengths-based approach and trauma-informed care. All shelter staff are responsible for answering the women’s referral phone line and coordinating immediate shelter placement within our women’s shelter network in Seattle and King County.

Direct service to homeless women:

• Provide crisis intervention and advocacy to women in a harm reduction program.
• Coordinate with other social service agency workers (case managers, social workers, medical professionals) to provide for clients’ immediate needs.
• Model interpersonal and living skills for clients.
• Enforce building and program rules including bar policy.
• Maintain a safe and comfortable shelter environment, including physical set-up and light janitorial duties, when necessary.
• Work as a team with other colleagues on shift and be able to work independently without direct supervision.

Client intake, assessment and advocacy:

• Review and record events in shift note to ensure program consistency.
• Maintain client records, updating information on an ongoing basis.
• Maintain accurate client count throughout shifts.
• Provide information and assistance as needed to clients.
• Explain and enforce shelter policies and procedures.
• Engage outside professionals (Mental Health Professionals, Medics, Police) when appropriate.

Supervision of volunteers:

• Supervise volunteers on shift.

Administrative and General Responsibilities:

• Attend staff meetings, workshops, retreats, and in-service classes as provided.
• Maintain accurate record of hours worked and turn in timesheets on schedule.
• Contribute to and support a positive, team-oriented work environment; participate with other staff members in group decision-making process.
• Inform supervisors of facilities and client-related issues.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.This position requires the employee to work in an environment where there may be exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious material.  Other exposures could include cleaning supplies, chemicals involved in pest control, paint and other materials used in building maintenance. Working conditions may include interruptions, interactions with angry persons, and exposure to computer CRTs.

Job Conditions

This position requires the employee to work in an environment where there may be exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious material.  Other exposures could include cleaning supplies, bedbugs, chemicals involved in pest control, paint and other materials used in building maintenance, building temperature fluctuations, dust, noise, and odors.  Working conditions include interruptions, crisis response, and regular interactions with individuals who are dealing with issues of chemical dependency and/or mental illness, or are experiencing anger or frustration.

Physical and Mental Acuity Requirements

The requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Able to hear telephone rings, phone conversation, doorbells, emergency alarms and face-to-face conversation.

• Able to speak clearly in person and on the telephone.
• Able to hand write legibly.
• Vision that enables person to read normal size print and handwritten notes; and distance and peripheral vision than enables person to monitor large space and identify concerns that require staff response.
• Mobility/dexterity of hands/arms to enable keying into locked areas as well as using a computer and other office equipment.
• Able to sit for sustained periods of time.
• Able to walk the entire building and ascend and descend stairs quickly to move from one floor to another in order to respond to emergency situations.
• Ability to lift, move and/or carry up to 40 pounds.
• Able to make independent decisions and apply sound judgment in performing job duties.

Minimum Qualifications

• Social service experience (minimum of six months).
• Experience working with or knowledge of women’s issues, homelessness, mental illness, and addictions.
• Knowledge and experience with crisis intervention.
• Ability to work within the mission, goals, and objectives of Catholic Housing Services/Catholic Community Services.
• Ability to commit to developing and safekeeping a workplace that values and supports a culturally diverse work environment.
• Must have a reliable phone or voice mail service at all times in which to be reached.
• Ability to contribute to a work environment that fosters respect, teamwork, and excellence.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• College level classes toward degree in Social Service.
• Previous work experience in a women-focused social service program.

Note to Internal Candidates: HR reviews internal compensation and determines any increase based on their experience and also agency internal equity factors.