Overnight Residential Services Specialist

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