Overnight Residential Services Specialist

Website TESSA
SYNOPSIS: The person in this position provides advocacy and residential supportive services to residents of TESSA’s Safe house in collaboration with the casework team.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
INTERVENTION / CRISIS LINE
• Provide hotline/phone services including crisis intervention, safety planning, information, referrals, and support.
• Complete intake phone screening and lethality assessments of victims needing safe housing.
• Provide transportation when necessary and possible for Safe house residents.
• Communicate necessary resident information in the Safe house database and shift log book; and follow up on notations left there.
CLIENT SERVICES
• Provide Safe house residents with crisis intervention, safety planning, and general support, treating clients with respect, dignity, and empathy utilizing Trauma Informed Care practice.
• Maintain confidentiality as directed by the client or by TESSA’s mandatory reporting obligations.
• Assist in house operations to include, but not limited to: house laundry, room prep, cleaning, shopping, and stocking supplies.
• Provide education, information and support to Safe house residents and children through advocacy and empowerment-based case management services.
• Work cooperatively with other agencies and individuals (e.g. Colorado Springs Police Department Advocates, El Paso Sherriff’s Office Advocates, District Attorney’s Advocates, TESSA/ Department of Human Services representatives) involved with the client to assure comprehensive service delivery to the client/children.
• Provide On-call/After-Hours Support (AHS) monthly, or as requested by Safe house Manager.
• Develop and demonstrate knowledge and expertise regarding intimate partner violence, sexual; violence, human trafficking and stalking.
• Facilitate resident meetings, support groups, life skills classes, and informational classes as required.
• Implement Safe house procedures using Trauma Informed Care practice.
• Attend supervision meetings with the Safe house Manager as requested.
• Adhere to work schedule and be available to provide back-up/on-call coverage as needed, (outside of regular shift) to support the operations of the Safe house.
• Provide training, instruction, guidance and support to other staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Understand department objectives and how they relate to the goals of the agency.
• Provide coverage to other programs when needed which may include, but is not limited to: attending court hearings, conducting victim outreach, assisting with walk-in clients, and responding to hospital call-outs.
RECORD KEEPING
• Document each client contact per department policy.
• Maintain client records in a timely and accurate manner.
• Communicate and follow up on necessary information.
• Assist in collecting client statistics for program management and grant reporting.
CULTURAL INCLUSIVITY
• Deliver programs and services in a manner that is respectful and sensitive to the client’s cultural experience.
• Participate in the development of multicultural services, programming, and outreach as requested.
• Recognize that we hold attitudes and beliefs that can detrimentally influence our perceptions of, and interactions with, individuals who are diverse from ourselves.
• Recognize the importance of multicultural sensitivity plus responsiveness to, knowledge of, and understanding about diversity.
• Apply the principles of multiculturalism and diversity in training and staff development.
• Apply culturally appropriate skills in all interactions with clients, co-workers, volunteers, partner agencies, and other community members.
• Prevent, identify, and remove discriminatory barriers in service provision.
• Use organizational change processes to support culturally informed organizational policies & procedures.
OTHER
• Commit to TESSA’s organizational mission, vision, and operating philosophy of Trauma Informed Care.
• Attend staff, other relevant meetings, trainings, and in-services as assigned.
• Other duties and projects as requested by Manager, Program Director, or Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
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, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Associates Degree in Social Work, Human Services, or equivalent. Relevant combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services, or equivalent preferred.
• Experience with victims and/or similar populations preferred.
• Available to work evenings and weekends, as well as provide additional shift coverage as needed including occasional overnight shifts.
• Displays a positive attitude, works well with others, and accepts direction well.
• Experience working with children in a group setting.
• Experience or ability to conduct life skills groups for Safe house residents.
• Excellent organizational, communication (verbal and written), problem solving, listening and interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work well in stressful and emotionally taxing circumstances and engage in effective self-care.
• Ability to empathize, encourage and guide Safe house clients.
• Ability to lift 50lbs, intermittently.
• Possess vision and hearing sufficient to work on a computer, on the telephone and in person.
• Able to independently use a computer for word documents, spreadsheets, presentations, email, internet research, data entry and data management.
• Valid driver’s license and car insurance.
• Must be willing to complete and able to pass background and child abuse and neglect history checks.
• Ability to read, write and speak English.
• Fluency in Spanish and/or ASL preferred.
TESSA is an equal opportunity employer.
To apply, visit www.TESSAcs.org/aboutTESSA/employment.
This position is open until filled with first review of applicants on December 31, 2020
To apply for this job please visit www.tessacs.org.