Human Trafficking Advocate

The HT Weekend Swing Shift Advocate requires compassion, flexibility, and the ability to work with a diverse population of survivors who may have complex needs. The Shelter Advocate serves as a vital support system helping to create a safe and nurturing environment for those recovering from human trafficking experiences. The supportive services include, but not limited to: crisis intervention, in-person crisis response, peer counseling, advocacy, transportation, shelter assessment, and intake, lethality assessment, safety planning, and referrals. This position is located at the HT shelter and works independently. This position will also be a part of the on-call program to respond to survivors after hours.
Folks who are queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled, and bilingual are encouraged to apply.
This position will be expected to work Saturday & Sunday, 4PM - 12:30AM
Essential Duties

• Complete shelter house assessments, intake, and new resident orientation;
• Respond to HT survivors at shelter to reduce levels of trauma and provide supportive services that reflects VCC's mission and values;
• Answer crisis line calls, assess for services, provide referrals, and complete necessary documentation;
• Respond to calls requesting an advocate from law enforcement, medical facilities, and other social service providers;
• Provide advocacy and accompany clients to medical, criminal justice, court, and social service appointments.

Crisis Intervention & Advocacy

• Provide emergency transportation;
• Connect clients with legal and counseling services that are out of VCC's scope of work;
• Communicate with law enforcement and other agencies as needed to support client programmatic and safety needs;
• Follow up with clients 1-2 days after initial contact to safety plan and offer available services and resources;
• Respond to crisis calls after hours and on weekends through the crisis hotline or in person on a rotating oncall basis.
• Maintain the client confidentiality in files, conversations, or obtained from written sources;
• Maintain a professional demeanor when working with clients and community partners.

Shelter Duties:

• Ensure the safety of the shelter and its residents through patrol of the property at regularly scheduled intervals and before the end of shift;
• Investigate all unusual sounds, disturbances, and intrusions;
• Call law enforcement when necessary;
• Check in with shelter residents throughout shift;
• Provide transportation to shelter clients when it is necessary to ensure safety;
• Address and report any client issues or unusual incidences to HT Program Coordinator or HT Shelter Lead;
• Complete house chores/ tasks and light maintenance as assigned during shift.
• Enforce shelter rights and responsibilities;
• Relay information about client issues and occurrences during shift to staff through written documentation and verbally;
• Complete all required documentation.

General Duties:

• Compile documentation necessary for statistical reports and case records in a timely manner.
• Participate in trainings for professional growth and development;
• Participate in all mandated staff meetings during business hours;
• Adhere to agency values and mission statement;
• Keep current on available resources to clients;
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of job classification

Additional Responsibilities

• Complete data-entry of service logs;
• Helps maintain shelter cleanliness and beautification, maintains office supply inventory and lets Supervisor know ordering needs;
• Attend program and agency staff meetings when requested by Director

Qualifications and Education Requirements
Education/Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED; college preferred;
• One (1) year experience in social service settings, preferably working as an employee or volunteer, providing services to a diverse group of individuals
• Complete HT training, as well as 40-hour domestic violence and 40-hour sexual assault counselor training upon hire;
• Complete first aid/ CPR certification upon hire.

Knowledge of:

• Office Equipment Operation (phone, fax, copier, etc.)
• Computers and Software Programs (Word; Excel; Internet);
• Trauma-Informed Care;
• Current social, economic and health problems and of human behavior and social functioning;

Ability to:

• Be accurate, reliable, punctual, well organized, careful and thorough;
• Communicate effectively orally, electronically and written;
• Work effectively with limited supervision and foster a team atmosphere;
• Prioritize work and exercise good judgment, schedule and manage workload;
• Demonstrate comfort and expertise in operating computers and other technology;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co-workers and the general public;
• Analyzing facts and exercising sound judgment in arriving at conclusions;
• Prepare concise reports;

Physical Requirements:

• Facility to see read and distinguish printed and handwritten documents
• Facility to hear and understand speech at normal room levels, and to hear and understand speech on the telephone
• Facility to constantly use hands and arms to input data into computer and use adding machine
• Ability to move boxes of files from one location to another; physical agility to lift and carry up to 20 pounds, and to bend, stoop, walk and reach overhead
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time
• Must be able to concentrate for long periods of time
• Mental acuity to perform the essential functions of this position in an accurate, neat, timely fashion; to make good judgments and decisions; and to evaluate the results of decisions and judgments

Other Requirements:

• Must complete finger printing and background check upon hire, at Alliance expense. Failure to pass fingerprint clearance or background may result in withdrawal of job appointment
• Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, and DMV clearance
• Must have and maintain active auto insurance policy
• The Alliance highly recommends vaccination against COVID-19. Staff are not required to be vaccinated but are required to show proof of vaccination upon hire should they have it.

Valley Crisis Center is a program of Alliance for Community Transformations.
Alliance for Community Transformations is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, medical condition or physical disability.
Benefits: 12 pro-rated holidays and other benefits (such as paid sick leave) required by law.