Home Coordinator (7AM - 3PM)

Agency Overview:

Doorways is an Arlington-based non-profit agency helping individuals and families create pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault leading to safe, stable and empowered lives. We envision a community where all people live free of violence and have safe and stable housing regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, age, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, abilities, language, or national origin. We see a future without homelessness or domestic and sexual violence.

Doorways began in 1978 when a group of concerned community members saw there was no safe place in Arlington for families in crisis. What began then with one shelter and one response has grown into a series of pathways individually tailored for adults, youth, and children seeking safety and shelter. From immediate crisis intervention to counseling, housing, and employment support, we offer real options and multiple pathways for people of all ages and genders—women, men, youth, and LGBTQIA+ people.

Program Summary:

The Doorways’ Domestic and Sexual Violence Safehouse is the only domestic and sexual violence shelter in Arlington County. This program uses both congregate and scattered site models to provide a safe, temporary home to those who are escaping imminent danger due to domestic and/or sexual violence. The Doorways Domestic and Sexual Violence Safehouse is more than just a place to find shelter from domestic and sexual violence. All are welcome, including women, men, and those who identify as LGBTQ+. At the Safehouse, Doorways provides a spectrum of life-saving, supportive and educational services to help survivors of all ages learn about their options, increase their safety, and live a life free of violence. These wraparound, trauma-informed services enable individuals and families to obtain safety, stability, and self-sufficiency so that they can progress to the next phase of their life.

Position Summary:

The Home Coordinator (DHC) works as part of a team and independently to provide services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their children who are living in Doorways’ Safehouse Program. The DHC has primary responsibility for shelter coverage, crisis intervention, oversight of daily shelter operations, and answering calls to our 24-hour domestic and sexual violence hotline as back-up coverage. The work scheduled for this position is Monday through Friday, 7AM- 3PM, as well as required attendance at team meetings and other meetings/trainings as needed. The shift schedule is subject to change in accordance with the needs of the program. The DHC is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt position that requires on-call availability and is considered “essential” personnel for holidays and in times of hardship, such as extreme weather conditions and/or other emergencies. This position reports to the Shelter Manager, Safehouse.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Direct Client Services

• Provide primary shelter coverage and secondary hotline coverage.
• Maintain client confidentiality at all times in accordance to Doorways Policy, including former clients.
• Ensure adequate supervision of children by parents.
• Provide in person supportive services as needed to shelter residents, such as crisis intervention, safety planning, and resources as directed by Safehouse Program Manager.
• When answering hotline, provide safety assessments and planning, crisis intervention, and linkages to community resources and referrals.
• Complete all Safehouse and hotline documentation and data entry according to protocols.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with Safehouse residents.
• Complete new client intake process according to policy for all Safehouse clients during shift.
• Document notable interactions among clients, staff and volunteers. Elevate pertinent client and house concerns to the DSV Management team in a timely manner.
• Encourage clients to adhere to all community living guidelines and maintain a clean communal living space by prompting to complete daily chores and clean-up after meals
• Perform program departure procedures with clients.
• Ensure shelter residents’ needs are met related to accessing prescription and over-the counter medications, personal care items, transportation funds, gift cards etc., adhering to all program policies related to distribution of these items

Program Operations

• Ensure the safety and security of the shelter and shelter residents; perform regular S walkthroughs, ensure the shelter is not left unattended, and wait to be properly relieved at end of shift.
• Provide weekend and/or holiday on-call coverage (Tier 1) on a rotating basis with other full-time Safehouse staff.
• Ensure facilities are adequately stocked with household items, toiletries, and food, including organizing and putting away any received donations and supplies. Review facility refrigerators, freezers, and storage for any needed or outdated items and discard as needed. Organize closets and storage as needed to keep accurate inventory of stocked and/or needed items.
• Assist with preparing and setting up scattered site apartments.
• Document all shelter and client activities during shift in Daily Log. Complete data entry for any hotline calls in ETO within 1 business day of contact. Document any significant interactions with Safehouse clients via contact note as needed.
• Ensure that any pertinent client or house concerns are elevated the Program Manager.
• Document all visitors, including vendors and volunteers, in daily log.
• Clean, sanitize and prepare newly vacated bedrooms to be ready for new client arrivals.
• Document all household maintenance issues on the Facilities Log and ensure communication amongst team.
• Put away any received donations and supplies.
• Conduct and participate with other shelter staff in shift exchange and review logbook per policy.
• Assist in on-the-job training of staff, Client Assistants and volunteers. Provide feedback to designated supervisors as needed to support the supervision of staff and volunteers as needed.
• Understand and abide by mandated reporter laws relevant to child abuse and neglect. Report any suspected child abuse or neglect to supervisor or on-call supervisor immediately and adhere to Doorways’ Mandated Reporter Policy
• Document and respond to critical incidents as needed, adhering to Doorways’ Critical Incident Policy.
• Other related duties, as assigned.

Internal/External Contacts:

The position has some latitude to make contact with internal staff, clients and external stakeholders in conducting the duties with supervision from Safehouse Program Manager.

Agency Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate alignment with Doorways’ core values and mission.
• Maintain current industry knowledge and best practices.
• Assist with Doorways client and community events.
• Attend agency and/or other service provider meetings, as required.
• Obtain/maintain current CPR/First Aid certification.
• Completion of a CPS/Criminal Background Check.
• Adhere to agency policies and procedures.

Knowledge and Skills Needed:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field preferred or at least 2 years of relevant work experience in domestic and sexual violence or a residential setting required.
• Knowledge and experience in trauma-informed domestic and sexual violence practices preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish strongly preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal relationship skills and ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Experience collaborating in a multi-disciplinary, diverse, and dynamic team.
• Must demonstrate an acceptance and respect for cultural diversity in all its forms, including ethnicity, sexual orientation, abilities, and religious backgrounds and an ability to work collaboratively in an ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse environment.
• Must be comfortable working in an environment where it is necessary to process the past and present trauma endured by survivors.
• Ability to relate to historically marginalized populations, including those that are experiencing homelessness and/or trauma survivors.
• Flexible and a self-starter, with demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, mitigate risk, and make sound decisions.
• Must possess basic computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, email, and the internet (Microsoft Suite).
• Must be located in the DMV.

Compensation: $21 per hour, plus generous benefits.

Doorways is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

People of color, women, LGBTQIA+ candidates, and people of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Doorways is committed to a diverse workplace and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities.

All staff at Doorways are expected to operate from a survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and equity approach. We believe that people, including underserved populations, must have access to needed services. Continuous application of Doorways values are integral in every position at Doorways.