Ywca Advocate

Job Posting: YWCA Advocate Full Time

**Location**:Niagara Region

**Hours of Work**: Rotating shifts. See description below

As the largest provider of Emergency Shelter in the Niagara Region, the YWCA Niagara Region offers innovative housing programs and services that provide hope for women and their families living in poverty.

The YW provides shelter, food and assistance to homeless women and their families. Our dedicated staff provides exceptional care and support for the women and their families who turn to us. The YW offers staff a challenging and collaborative environment as we work to create meaningful change for homeless individuals.

To complement our Emergency Shelter program staffing component, the YW is looking for exceptional team players, who are compassionate, non-judgmental, and self-motivated to join our team.

**Position Summary**

The Advocate position is part of a team of seven staff on a rotational schedule. Each role works two (2) 12 shifts each weekend and two (2) additional 8 hour shifts during the week, for a total of 4 days. **(This schedule is currently under review)**

The Advocate position will report to the Program Managers to assist in the operation of the shelters in accordance with agency policies and procedures. Duties include the following: maintaining appropriate record keeping, completing intake/discharge forms, maintaining security for guests/staff/facilities, goal setting and referrals to other community partners, promoting co-operative living, and participating in housekeeping duties, including occasional food distribution and cleaning. This position offers the opportunity to also support our Anti Human Trafficking shelter, Safer House, providing support to human trafficking survivors. Specialized training will be provided.

**Responsibilities**:

- Provides appropriate professional understanding and intervention in response to emotional, behavioural, physical needs of clients.
- Responds with Crisis Intervention in situations of physical confrontation, and medical and psychiatric emergencies for womxn who have recently experienced trauma
- Provides support to womxn through a trauma informed framework
- Maintains and supervises established routines and procedures.
- Assists clients to establish and achieve individualized goals
- Utilizes effective conflict resolution skills.
- Maintains the highest level of confidentiality regarding client information.
- Works collaboratively with community agencies, providing referrals and follow-up as necessary.
- Exercises good judgement and discretion in dealing with confidential information.
- Completes all necessary documentation, including written records/reports and provides statistics as requested.
- Understands health and safety standards, regulations, policies and procedures and complies with them.

**Qualifications**:

- Minimum CYW or SSW Diploma
- Minimum one (1) year experience working with the homeless and/or marginalized individuals or equivalent training.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrate initiative, critical thinking and a self-directed working style
- Understanding of anti-oppressive, feminist, low-barrier and trauma informed frameworks.
- Ability to effectively intervene with conflict and crisis.
- Able and willing to work all shifts (ex// night, day and evening) on a rotational schedule
- CTI, Level C First Aid and Vulnerable Screening Clearance (Police Check) Required upon hiring

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: $19.50 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care

Schedule:

- 12 hour shift
- 8 hour shift
- Holidays
- Weekend availability

COVID-19 considerations:
Regular cleaning. Masks are currently voluntary unless outbreak occurs

Application question(s):

- Are you able to commit to working every Saturday and Sunday, 12 hours each day, unless otherwise arranged?

**Experience**:

- Working with homeless population: 1 year (required)