Supportive Transitional Housing Advocate

Haven is the only nonprofit serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence, sex trafficking, and stalking in Gallatin County. Our approach makes us unique — everything we do is deeply and genuinely rooted in empowerment. We connect survivors to all the resources and 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 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 Supportive Transitions Housing Advocate will ensure that survivors receive trauma-informed and survivor-centered support while accessing Haven’s transitional housing program. They will encourage self-efficacy and independence in transitional housing participants. The ideal candidate will understand the impacts of housing instability, understand the impacts of trauma and intersectionality, and be able to empathize with participants from diverse backgrounds. They will also be committed to Haven’s mission and be willing to actively help maintain and build a positive, supportive culture at our organization.

Responsibilities:

Case Management/Advocacy (75%):

• Screen and approve candidates for the transitional housing program.
• Complete an intake appointment for all incoming transitional housing participants.
• Conduct assessments to identify participants’ strengths, resources and obstacles toward securing permanent, stable housing.
• Provide participants with support to complete housing applications.
• Support move-in to new unit, inspection, and develop plans for rent payment crisis and daily living.
• Assess for safety and assist with safety plan creation.
• Accompany participants and transitional housing residents to appointments, as appropriate.
• Provide transportation to transitional housing participants when public transportation is unavailable or inaccessible.
• Mediate and resolve conflicts between transitional housing residents.
• Deescalate crises and emergencies with transitional housing residents.
• Maintain transitional housing policies.
• Refer transitional housing participants to other appropriate Haven services or other community services.
• Meet weekly with transitional housing participants to check in to provide emotional support, advocacy, goal setting and referrals to other Haven services and community resources.
• Complete exit paperwork with participants moving out of transitional housing to permanent, stable housing.
• Administer quarterly program evaluation surveys to elicit feedback from transitional housing participants.

Data Collection (10%)

• Record all call data into participant interaction database (Izzy).
• Assign appropriate follow-ups in Izzy and maintain effective communication with other advocates to ensure participant needs are met.
• Maintain and update participant profile information, as needed.
• Track utilization of services and resources such as the language line, taxis, hotels, gas cards, etc.
• Submit monthly programs reports as requested by the Intervention Manager.

Organization (10%):

• Organize and manage local resource list and make available to staff and transitional housing participants.
• Maintain and update all resource documentation related to providing transitional housing advocacy.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and workshops pertinent to transitional housing advocacy services.
• Maintain proper financial records and receipts for all transitional housing related participant needs.
• Attend staff meetings and other meetings as requested.
• Other duties as requested.

Transitional Housing Maintenance (5%):

• Prepare and clean transitional housing unit for incoming participants.
• Coordinate transitional housing unit repair/maintenance, and communicate needs to Facilities and Security Manager.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years prior experience in the field of survivor advocacy or in housing advocacy.
• Knowledge in the fields of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking.
• Knowledge of the impacts of housing instability.
• Proficient in G Suite platforms.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Driver’s license, reliable car, and auto insurance.
• Highly organized, accurate, flexible, and innovative.
• Ability to make ethical decisions independently under high-stress conditions.
• Ability to empathize with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to adapt to and cope with high-stress situations.
• Ability to mediate and resolve conflicts while providing support to transitional housing residents.
• Understanding of and willingness to learn about mental health, trauma, diversity,
• co-occurring issues, and cultural humility.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in community health, psychology, sociology, social work or other relevant field.
• Experience with crisis intervention and trauma-informed advocacy.
• Experience with coordination of local, state and nationwide referrals.
• Experience with case management and/or housing advocacy.
• Knowledge of Montana laws for domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English

Training that is provided:

• Haven Volunteer Advocacy training.
• Domestic violence and sexual assault training programs as requested by Intervention Manager.
• CPR/First Aid training.
• ASIST suicide intervention training.
• Other training/shadow shifts as requested.

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 will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform 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 ranges from quiet to noisy.

Responsible to: Intervention Manager

Must be able to work:

This is a full-time position with a 4-day work week at 9 hours a day for a total of 36 hours a week. Schedule is negotiable and will include one weekend day and will be determined when the position is offered. Occasional work outside of regularly scheduled shifts may be required.

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 $27.98-$29.74. 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; one week of sick pay annually; prorated paid holidays depending on start date and 10 paid holidays annually at the start of the next fiscal year; 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; a monthly 90-minute paid staff connection opportunity; 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. 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. This position is open until filled.