Full Time Shelter Advocate

Position Open: 4/7/2025

ATVP is a not for profit organization that serves both Whitman County, Washington and Latah County, Idaho, offering direct services to victims and survivors of domestic, sexual violence, child abuse and stalking, along with community education programming. We are seeking Shelter Advocate to provide a variety of direct and coordinated domestic violence services, and related oversight, public education, public education and outreach under the direct supervision of the Domestic Violence Program Lead Advocate including the following:

• All applicants must be familiar and agree with ATVP’s mission statement and philosophy regarding support to survivors.
• ATVP is an equal opportunity employer and our agency is committed to a culturally and ethnically diverse work place. 

Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse

Mission: ATVP empowers individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse and stalking. We work to create a safe and equitable community through education and prevention.

Vision: We envision our community being safe, equitable and free from oppression.

Inclusion Statement: ATVP affirms the right of each person to live without fear of the threat of violence. We recognize that all forms of oppression create a climate which enables gender based violence. We honor and advocate for individual autonomy and self-determination for members of our community. We believe that education is the foundation of creating a safe and equitable community, and the inclusion of youth is imperative for sustainable social change.

Tag Line: Educate. Empower. Prevent.

Position: Full-Time Shelter Advocate (40 hrs/wk).

Reports to: Domestic Violence Program Lead Advocate

Terms: Full-Time. Non-exempt. (40 hours per week). Some eves and weekends required.

Starting Rate: $18.54 per hour.

Benefits: Paid holidays, vacation and sick.

Location: ATVP Shelter

Start Date: Immediate.

Requirements: Drivers license, Car Insurance, Ability to Pass Federal and State Background Checks.

Application Information:

A description of the positions follow.  The full job description is attached.  The following materials are required for application and will be considered an example of your communication skills and evaluated as part of the screening process. 

The application consists of:

1. Cover Letter.
   1. Essay. (limit 1 page) Please address how your background, experience and personal philosophies are applicable to this position.
   2. Chronological work/education experience Resume.
      1. Whether paid or volunteer
      2. Hours worked
      3. Reason for leaving each position.

All items must be submitted for applications to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Position is open until filled.

Send completed applications to Kateisha Moreno, Program Manager at program.manager@atvp.org.

Job Description:

The Shelter Advocate provides a variety of direct community and shelter advocacy services, and related operational tasks under the direct supervision of the Domestic Violence Program Lead Advocate including the following:

1. Provide direct services, including personal advocacy, crisis intervention, support and appropriate referrals to primary and secondary victims of domestic violence, intimate partner violence and stalking, and to victims and survivors of sexual assault and abuse and other crimes including the assessment of individual needs and options, emotional support, basic legal advocacy, and medical advocacy; facilitate victims/survivors’ awareness of the affective, behavioral, and cognitive effects of their experience and enhance their ability to cope/adjust; provide crisis intervention, emergency shelter intakes, and medical support advocacy on evenings/weekends to victims/survivors on the hotline or in-person as back-up in rotation with all other direct service staff;[E]
2. This position will provide direct advocacy and case management to victims/survivors within the shelter facility. Staff will make every effort to spend structured time per shift with each adult shelter client; and as much unstructured time with adult shelter victims/survivors to ensure quality advocacy services are provided. [E]
3. Provide child/youth advocacy services to children in shelter, support parents to use appropriate  behavior management techniques, including reinforcement, redirection, time-out, and logical consequences; provide service as back-up when necessary to children of victims/survivors attending support groups; [E]
4. Respond to shelter intake assessments/emergencies and check-outs that occur during business hours as part of the shelter support services team; [E]
5. Maintain agency/client confidentiality as required by ATVP policy; ensure security of client records and the shelter office area; Ensure safe and secure communication about client support issues is transferred to shelter staff at the end of any shelter shift [E]
6. Maintain agency files, including the updating and filing of all ROC’s and other client paperwork, and statistical record keeping in a timely and organized manner; [E]
7. Participate in shelter, staff, and case conference meetings; facilitate adult house meetings or youth house meetings as directed by the Domestic Violence Program Lead Advocate; [E]
8. Attempt to ensure that a safe and structured environment is maintained for clients and their children, and staff while at the shelter;  ensure that clients comply with shelter regulations;  endeavor to maintain security of the shelter at all times to ensure the safety and well-being of clients, staff, and advocates; immediately notify the Domestic Violence Program Lead Advocate or Program Manager of problems or irregularities with the security system ;  ensure that security protocols are maintained at all times [E].
9. Participate in the general maintenance/upkeep/cleaning of the shelter facility and shared staff space, including equitable distribution and completion of these tasks in accordance with the standard checklists to ensure a safe and clean environment; must have the ability to lift 30 lbs. and to navigate stairs. [E]
10. With the guidance of the Domestic Violence Program Lead Advocate and approval of the Program Manager, assist with monitoring all routine shelter expenditures for food, supplies, personal case, motel vouchers/usage, gas/bus/travel vouchers for shelter clients, and children’s educational/ child advocacy items in accordance with the approved budget and submit; all non-routine and equipment expenditures require prior approval of the Domestic Violence Program Lead Advocate and approval of the Program Manager; [E]
11. Participate in educational sessions (including self-directed study) for purposes of professional development to ensure current knowledge and skills and compliance with statutory/accreditation/ program standards mandates; [E]
12. Participate in the agency back up rotation for after hours support to the hotline.
13. Other duties as assigned. [E]

Full Job Description:

NOTE: Some evening, weekend and holiday hours will be required. Holidays worked and previously approved hours beyond 20 week are paid at time-and-a-half. Availability of transportation, a valid driver’s license, and minimum required auto insurance are required to be able to fulfill job responsibilities. This position will be part of the after-hours response team and as such, residency in either Whitman County, WA or Latah County, ID is required.