PRN Shelter Advocate
PRN Shelter Advocate Job Description:
PRN Shelter Advocates play a critical role in supporting the safety, healing, and empowerment of survivors of domestic violence and their children residing in our emergency shelter. They provide compassionate, trauma-informed advocacy and hospitality, ensure daily operations run smoothly, and maintain a secure, respectful, and supportive environment for residents. PRN Shelter Advocates directly support survivors during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives, helping them access services and take steps toward freedom and hope.
PRN Shelter Advocates are held to the same standards, training requirements, and expectations as full-time Shelter Advocates. At times, the PRN Shelter Advocate may be the sole staff member on duty, requiring a high level of independence, responsibility, and crisis response capability. The PRN Shelter Advocate will report directly to the Shelter Shift Supervisor and/or Shelter Coordinator.
Key Responsibilities:
Resident Support & Advocacy
Provide direct support to survivors, their children, and pets using trauma-informed, client-centered, and empowerment-based approaches.
Conduct intakes, orientations, needs assessments, and exits for residents.
Respond to residents’ emotional, physical, and practical needs during each shift.
Model and maintain respectful, nonjudgmental, and culturally responsive communication.
Provide for shelter residents’ needs, including food, clothing, medical care, and hygiene needs.
Plan, direct, and serve daily activities for residents, and help coordinate school attendance for child residents as needed.
Crisis Intervention & Safety
Respond calmly and effectively to crises, including conflict, escalated emotions, or safety concerns.
Assess clients’ safety and needs, conduct homicide danger assessments in person or on the phone, and develop a safety plan for each client.
Enforce shelter rules and boundaries to ensure a safe and healing environment.
Execute emergency procedures and contact protocols with confidence and accuracy.
Complete wellness and safety checks as needed throughout the shift.
Learn and use the shelter security system and monitor security cameras as needed.
Assess mandatory reporting status and report when required by law and The Heights’ Procedure for Mandatory Reporting.
Hotline, Operations & Administration
Answer the 24 hour crisis hotline and provide safety planning, information, referrals, and intake screening.
Screen clients as needed to determine if clients are appropriate for The Heights services and make referrals as necessary.
Document all resident interactions and shift activities in a timely and accurate manner, before the end of each shift.
Provide accurate daily data collection to track client screening needs, demographic information, services provided, and other agency interactions.
Complete routine facility checks, light cleaning, room turnover, and basic upkeep to maintain a welcoming and sanitary space.
Ensure shift transitions are smooth by completing shift logs and communicating key updates to incoming staff.
Follow the guidelines for shelters from the Texas Council on Family Violence.
Team and Collaboration
Collaborate with Shelter Advocates, case managers, and leadership to coordinate care, and link clients to on- and off-site partners.
Maintain open and timely communication with the Shelter Shift Supervisor, including any incidents, safety concerns, or facility issues.
Attend required staff meetings, trainings, and supervision sessions as scheduled.
Maintain cooperative working relationships with other service providers.
Uphold The Heights’ Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Culture Keys, and demonstrate professional integrity at all times.
Maintain confidentiality, victim-advocate privilege, and professional boundaries with residents and former residents at all times.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Valid Texas driver’s license, dependable transportation, and current auto insurance.
Successful completion of a criminal background check and reference checks prior to employment.
Current CPR and First Aid certification, or obtain within 30 days of hire.
Complete The Heights oral orientation within the first two working days and required foundational training within two weeks of hire (TAC §356.1804).
Complete all specialized direct service training, including crisis intervention, hotline skills, risk assessment and safety planning, and confidentiality, before working a shift as the sole staff member on duty. Supervisor sign-off is required.
Complete required annual training each calendar year (TAC §356.1805), including annual confidentiality and victim-advocate privilege training.
Sign The Heights Confidentiality and Victim-Advocate Privilege Agreement before accessing any confidential information, and annually thereafter.
Set shift hours are limited to Sunday evenings from 10pm-6am. There is an option to cover other shifts when needed.
Ability to work evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays