Survivor Advocate

Haven is the only nonprofit in Gallatin County serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence, sex trafficking, and stalking. Our approach makes us unique — everything we do is deeply and genuinely rooted in empowerment. We connect survivors to available resources and the help they need while trusting they should be the ones to decide what’s best for their own journey.

Haven began serving survivors in 1979. Over the last four decades, Haven has worked to provide both safe intervention for survivors of domestic violence, as well as to prevent future violence from occurring. We believe increased awareness through community education can make us all allies in ending domestic violence.

Haven’s Survivor Advocates are professionals trained to support survivors who have experienced domestic violence sexual assault, stalking, and/or sex trafficking. Advocates offer Haven’s participants emotional support, crisis intervention, information and referrals, assistance connecting with social services agencies, filling out paperwork via in person, over the support line, email, or online messaging. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal skills, utilize active listening skills, ability to work independently, and make ethical decisions. They will also be committed to Haven’s mission and be willing to actively help contribute to and maintain a positive, supportive culture at the organization.

Responsibilities:

Survivor Advocacy (50%):

• Provide crisis intervention, follow-up, emotional support, advocacy, information, and referrals to participants.
• Provide information and referrals to community members who call the support line.
• Support participants in developing a safety plan that meets their needs.
• Assess for safety using a lethality assessment tool.
• Screen, approve, and check-in new residents for shelter/hotel.
• Arrange hotel/motel accommodations and emergency transportation.
• Accompany participants to appointments, as appropriate.
• Provide transportation to shelter residents and other participants, as appropriate.
• Answer support line calls, instant messaging, and/or participant emails and record interactions into our participant interaction database.
• Develop personalized action plans with participants that address their goals (housing, legal, financial, safety, childcare, support group and/or counseling, etc.) and review participants’ progress through both formal check-in meetings and informally, as requested by participants.
• Assist participants with meeting their goals by discussing barriers, connecting to resources, and completing appropriate paperwork.
• Mediate and attempt to resolve conflicts between shelter residents.
• Deescalate crises and emergencies with shelter residents.
• Maintain shelter policies.
• Provide back-up support for the legal advocate as needed and/or requested by the Intervention Managers.
• Make financial decisions regarding participant need requests.

Data Collection (15%)

• Accurately and consistently collect participant data utilizing various data collection tools (Izzy, call reports/participant interactions, shelter screening forms, shelter intake packets, action plans, participant evaluation surveys, and testimonials).
• Maintain participant files.
• Track utilization of services and resources such as the language line, taxis, hotels, gas cards, etc.
• Compile quarterly data for grant reporting.
• Provide information on monthly advocacy report to Advocate Team Lead.

Volunteer Management (15%):

• Present at volunteer trainings as requested by Advocate Team Lead or Intervention Managers.
• Provide training, roleplay practice, and observation opportunities to direct service interns and volunteers during shadow shifts.
• Provide training, feedback, and guidance to direct service interns and volunteers taking the support line.
• Manage, support, and supervise interns through weekly check ins, providing feedback, and supporting them during/after interactions with participants.
• Ensure interns and volunteers input their participant interaction data (support line calls and in-person participant interactions) after the end of their support line shifts.
• Complete mid-term and end-of-term evaluations for advocacy interns.

Shelter Maintenance (10%):

• Prepare shelter rooms for incoming participants.
• Prepare food space in the pantry and fridge for incoming participants.
• Maintain a list of shelter supply needs for purchase or donation.

Other (10%):

• Organize and manage local resource lists within Izzy for staff and interns/volunteers.
• Attend interagency meetings, trainings and workshops pertinent to advocacy services as directed by Intervention Managers.
• Maintain receipts/invoices for participants, shelter, and survivor advocacy program expenses.
• Attend staff meetings and other meetings as requested by Intervention Managers.
• Provide support at fundraising activities, as needed.
• Other duties as requested by the Advocate Team Leads, Intervention Managers or Programs Director.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Knowledge in the fields of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, harassment and stalking.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite and G Suite.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Highly organized, accurate, flexible, innovative, and positive attitude.
• Ability to make ethical decisions independently under high-stress conditions.
• Ability to empathize with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to adapt and cope with high-stress situations.
• Ability to mediate and resolve conflicts while providing support to shelter residents.
• Must have integrity and self-initiative.
• Understanding of mental health, trauma, diversity, co-occurring issues, and cultural humility.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience with crisis intervention and trauma-informed advocacy
• Experience with coordination of local, state and nationwide referrals
• Knowledge of Montana laws for domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking
• Bi-Lingual in English/Spanish

Training that is provided:

• Haven Volunteer Advocacy training.
• CPR/First Aid training.
• ASIST suicide intervention training.
• Basic Advocacy Training.
• Other training/shadow shifts as requested by Advocate Team Leads and/or Intervention Managers.

Physical Demand and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear; use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Position requires walking, climbing stairs and lifting at least 25 lbs.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the environment is usually quiet.

Responsible to: Intervention Manager

Hours of Work:

We are hiring a full-time hourly position. Hours range from 36-40 hours a week. Hours for this position will be Sunday through Wednesday from 12:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Compensation:

Haven uses a compensation equity calculator to set pay at the organization. Depending on the final calculator score for the successful candidate, pay will range from $25.20- $26.61. Calculator scores are determined by responsibilities, professional and personal experience, and physical and emotional labor required to successfully meet the job requirements.

Additionally, Haven offers a competitive benefits package that includes up to 160 hours of paid time off (PTO) annually; 10 weeks of paid parental leave; health, vision and dental insurance; a wellness reimbursement program; a cell phone stipend; 3% retirement matching following the first year of employment; prorated paid holidays depending on start date and 10 paid holidays annually at the start of the next fiscal year; and a supportive, flexible work environment.

Probation Period: 12 months

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references as attachments to Julie Walters at hr@havenmt.org by 8 am November 21, 2024. Please include in the subject line the name of the position. In the cover letter, please tell us why you are interested in working for Haven and why this position would be a good fit for you. Incomplete and/or late applications may not be considered. No phone calls, please.