About the role:
The Relief Women's Advocate plays a central role throughout the healing journey for our residents starting with conducting risk assessments and safety planning in the intake process, through to support for day-to-day resident needs, information, referrals, and advocacy. This role also helps foster and maintain a trauma-informed and non-violent environment within the Shelter by upholding NYWS policies and procedures.
What you will be doing:
- Maintain a trauma-informed, respectful, and inclusive environment for clients, colleagues, volunteers, and other members of the NYWS internal and external community, while adhering to NYWS policies and procedures.
- Foster diversity, equity, and inclusion by considering diverse cultures, physical abilities, and lived experiences of clients in all aspects of service delivery such as intake, day-to-day interactions, programming, referrals to external resources, and transition.
- Provide day-to-day support, information, referrals, and advocacy for residents throughout all stages of the healing journey at NYWS, proactively upholding our principles of trauma-informed practice.
- Conduct initial risk and safety assessments over the phone or in-person to determine service needs to either bring the client into the Shelter or make referrals as needed and develop individual safety plans with residents.
- Conduct the intake process i.e., completing documentation, arranging client's personal accommodations, and other duties as required in accordance with Shelter policies and procedures.
- Collaborate with team members and participate in regular Case Management meetings to discuss, plan, and implement effective support for residents.
- Support with crisis intervention and de-escalation.
- Recognize and manage challenging situations in a trauma-informed manner as per NYWS policy, particularly involving justice systems (e.g., CAS, Police, etc.).
- Facilitate and document weekly resident meetings, support groups, and other relevant supports as assigned.
- Complete documentation and reporting during each shift, including shift change and documentation on the WISH database.
- Conduct full-Shelter walk-throughs 3 times per shift.
- Ensure pet supplies, emergency safety bags, linens, and hygiene items are adequately stocked.
- Assist with onboarding new staff and volunteers at NYWS.
- Support NYWS in remaining current and active in harm reduction policy development and community advocacy.
- Engage with residents and their children, as well as colleagues and other NYWS stakeholders with respect, compassion, and empathy while maintaining confidentiality.
- Attend and participate in additional team building, training, in-services, and community outreach projects as required.
- Perform related duties as assigned by the Manager, Programs and Services or their delegate.
Who you are:
Education and Experience
- You have completed post-secondary education in a related field such as Social Work, Gender and Women Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Social Justice, Assaulted Women's and Children's Program, or the equivalent education or experience.
- You have 1-3 years of experience working in a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Shelter or similar environment.
- You have experience and/or training in trauma-informed care, mental health, harm reduction, and substance use management.
- You have knowledge of Violence Against Women Emergency Shelter Standards.
- You have or are willing to obtain a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Clearance (PVSC) with future checks.
- You have or are willing to obtain CPR Level C and First Aid Training.
Skills and Competencies
- You have basic knowledge of Microsoft Office tools e.g., Outlook and Word and are able to learn other tools as required for reporting and documentation.
- You are well-organized, have strong work ethic, problem solving, and critical thinking skills, and take ownership of your tasks.
- You have excellent professional and empathetic communication skills and can work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
- You can work effectively independently as well as part of a team.
- You are comfortable working under pressure and in crisis situations while protecting confidentiality.
- You are experienced in crisis support and mediating conflict using non-violent communication strategies.
- You are comfortable working in a pet-friendly environment.
How to apply:
Does this sound like the right opportunity for you? If so, please apply with your resume on BambooHR CLICK HERE. Only applications submitted through the BambooHR application portal will be considered and only candidates selected for an interview with be contacted. Please do not call the Shelter.