Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County
Job Description
Department: Residential Services
Job Title: Shelter Advocate
Reports to: Residential Services Assistant Coordinator
Level:
Professional
Supervisory/Managerial
Executive
Type of Position:
Full-time
Part-time
Contractual
Intern/Volunteer
Hours per week:
Exempt
Non-exempt
General Description: Responsible for maintaining 24 hour coverage of the shelter and hotline. Assist victims
of domestic violence and sexual assault in crisis by providing education and support while living in the
emergency shelter. General duties include intake/assessment, reviews, safety planning and referral
to/collaboration with other community resource agencies. Shelter Advocates are responsible for the
maintenance of all clients’ files including case note documentation and data entry into a data management
system.
Job-Specific Duties:
A Commitment to Non-violence
 Offer peer-counseling and safety planning for all participants
 Educate the participants in the Sanctuary Model
 Provide crisis intervention for participants as needed
 Maintain a strong working knowledge of all Crisis Shelter services to ensure clients receive a well
coordinated continuum of care
 Maintain vigilance to not abuse the formal or informal power associated with one’s position which
involves a commitment to and practice creating being safe outside (physically), inside (emotionally),
with others (socially), and doing the right thing (moral)
A Commitment to Emotional Intelligence
 Assess needs of participants, including former history upon entry and on a regular on-going basis, as
necessary for program success
 Assist client in processing conflicts and losses
 Maintain good working relationships with other social service providers to assist in referral process
 Respond to crisis and confrontation in a professional, positive and effective manner
 Maintain and track and document participants proof of homelessness, income, referrals and other
relevant information necessary for program compliance
 Maintain strong working relationships with people of differing backgrounds, ages, maturity, abilities,
races, colors, creeds, genders, ancestry, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, religion,
socio-economic status and experiences
 Maintain a flexible schedule to meet agency needs, including being available for holiday and weekend
coverage as assigned

Demonstrate a willingness to talk out rather than act out feelings, deal with conflict in a way that
promotes growth and change and provide and accept constructive criticism in a positive and
productive manner
A Commitment to Social Learning
 Participate in regular staff meetings and trainings including department specific meetings
 Attend trainings provided through various funding agencies designed to assist in personal growth and
program design initiatives
 Utilize knowledge, skills and areas of expertise to facilitate participant growth opportunities
 Utilize knowledge, skills and areas of expertise to develop and implement program improvements
 Focus on making it possible for one another to take reasonable risks by accepting that mistakes are a
necessary part of learning and that team members are able to learn from experiences and help each
other learn from experiences and learn from each other
A Commitment to Democracy
 Oversight of the participants house meetings, assuring that all participants have an opportunity to
present suggestions, solutions and ideas for program and living environment improvements
 Conduct regular room safety checks and work with participants to design action plans for the
correction of issues and room upkeep
 Development of creative resource tools, program educational opportunities and participant resources
in coordination with the participants to guarantee greatest results
 Hold the belief that all of us together are smarter than one of us alone and as a result engage our
clients and each other in decision making and problem solving, seek and listen to input from each
other, and act in a way that is honest and transparent
A Commitment to Social Responsibility
 Prepare and maintain all necessary program reports & documentation necessary for program
compliance
 Keep necessary documentation, both written and computerized as required; including case notes,
service plans, applications, referrals, etc.
 Ensure program guidelines are followed and outcomes are successful
 Represent agency as meetings as identified by supervisor
 Perform all tasks in a manner that is organized and demonstrates strong time management skills
 Prioritize and work both independently and as a team member
 Adhere to all agency policies and procedures especially respecting confidentiality at all times
 Strive to model positive behavior at all times, sharing responsibility for doing good work, following
rules and being accountable for behaviors and decisions which includes adhering to policies and
procedures, taking iniative when gaps exist and assisting others to do the same
A Commitment to Growth & Change
 Refer participants to other supportive services as needed
 Participate in domestic violence, sexual assault and other crime victim outreach and awareness events
 Attend agency sponsored professional development events, including 10 hours of education regarding
crime victims, 6 hours of sexual assault training and 8 hours of domestic violence training on a annual
basis
 Upgrade skills and maintain personal currency of information about domestic violence, sexual assault
and other crime victims through self-directed activities such as through readings, other publications
and peer supervision
 Seek out ways to improve one’s performance and one’s program/department, embrace change and
appreciate losses associated with change and assist one another with managing these losses as to not
get stuck in the past
A Commitment to Open Communication
 Communicate with participants regarding helpfulness of programming, on-going support request and
challenges, and evaluation of overall program success
 Disperse all pertinent information regarding client care, programmatic needs, building issues, and
other necessary items pertaining to participant care to supervisor
 Disperse all pertinent information to participants regarding program opportunities, available resources,
and current housing issues
 Communicate with proficiency, both written and verbal
 Articulate program goals and philosophy
 Strong interpersonal skills necessary
 Address problems and raise unspoken conflicts by saying what one means without being mean while
saying it
Other:
Supervisory Responsibilities:
No supervisory skills necessary for this position.
Language Skills:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to
write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to
questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Mathematical Skills:
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and
decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited
standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule
form.
Computer Skills:
Must be willing to learn how to use certain programs that may be required such as word and excel.
Other Skills and Abilities:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to deal with crisis and confrontation in a professional, positive and effective manner.
Ability to work with ease with people of differing backgrounds, ages, maturity, abilities, races, colors, creeds, genders,
ancestry, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status and experiences.
Ability to articulate the program philosophy of the agency.
Ability to manage time effectively, establish priorities and function both independently and as a team member.
Equipment/Tools/Supplies Used:
Standard office equipment and clerical supplies.
Telephone, photocopier, calculator.
TTY/TTD machine, fax machine, shredder.
Filing system.
Computer and printer.
Detailed and complex reports.
Word processing software, data collection, spreadsheet software.
Paging system.
Audiovisual equipment: VCR, overhead projector.
Budget and accounting reports.
Other Qualifications:
Must be familiar with crisis intervention theory and techniques.
Ability to use eclectic approach to counseling.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands 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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee
frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; reach
with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move
up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential
functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
Work Experience/Educational Requirements:
Education and/or Experience:
High School diploma or GED; prefer two years of victim related experience.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
PA Act 33/34 certifiable
Valid driver's license
Must complete 80 hours of training within the first month of employment
Must maintain a minimum of 6 hours of continuing education
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements
listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made
to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Reviewed by:
Approved by:
Date Posted:
Date Hired:
____________________________________________
Employee Signature
Title:
Title:
____________________________________________
Supervisor Signature