Community Program Assistant Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Days / Shift: Monday-Friday; 3:00pm – 11:00pm (with flexibility to meet program needs)

Position Type/Classification: Full-Time, 40 hours per week; Non-Exempt

Position Summary:

The DV Shelter Program Assistant utilizes an empowerment-based, trauma-informed, survivor-centered service model to provide direct services to program participants and hotline callers. The DV Shelter Program Assistant provides supportive advocacy, information, and referrals to incoming callers on the SafeSpace, Inc. 24/7 Domestic Violence hotline.

The DV Shelter Program Assistant provides direct assistance to survivors residing within our emergency shelter to ensure basic needs are met, transportation services are provided, intakes are completed, and case management services are coordinated. The DV Shelter Program Assistant assists with the daily operations of the emergency shelter and assists with health and safety tasks, inventory, distribution of supplies, organizing and cleaning, as needed.

Job Responsibilities:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain an all-inclusive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

• Handle Hotline calls from survivors, law enforcement officers, emergency dispatchers, and/or community partners, contacting the SafeSpace, Inc. Domestic Violence Hotline in a calm, professional, and non-judgmental manner. Provide survivors/callers with the following: eligibility and risk assessments, safety planning, information and referrals, emotional support, crisis intervention, domestic violence education, resources, and confidentiality.
• Facilitate shelter orientation with residents upon entry and communicate community living guidelines to survivors as outlined in the Resident Handbook and provide welcome kits. Complete shelter intakes within 24 hours with new survivors entering the shelter program and immediately enter all relevant client data / information into the SafeSpace client management database.
• Provide supportive services to program participants including crisis counseling, information and referrals, transportation, safety planning, risks assessments, basic need supplies and on-going emotional support.
• Inform survivors of victim compensation offered by the Office of the Attorney General; the address confidentiality program; as well as informing survivors of their victim’s rights. Offer follow-up advocacy with DV Shelter Advocate to apply for the victim compensation.
• Schedule and coordinate advocacy appointments and case management services with program participants and DV Shelter Advocates including the DV Shelter Child Advocate.
• Identify local community resources and events to provide referrals and information to callers and program participants.
• Enter, update and maintain current and appropriate participant information regarding all ongoing services provided to participants immediately into the agency’s client database system in accordance with SafeSpace standards. Must maintain confidentiality laws applied to survivors of domestic violence and offer Releases of Information in the best interest of the survivor.
• Co-facilitate weekly house meetings and groups on diverse topics that support an understanding of the dynamics of power and control while fostering individual safety, choice, strength, and well-being.
• Participate in case staffing, shift meetings, team meetings, and staff meetings. Engage in one-on-one supervision meetings with the DV Shelter Manager.
• Conduct daily walk-throughs and take corrective action to meet compliance with SafeSpace policies, procedures, standards, regulations, to ensure health and safety standards are met.
• Conduct routine inventory of supplies to include food items, basic needs, and shelter supplies; assist in ordering and distributing supplies and donations.
• Attend and facilitate professional development trainings, community events and interagency meetings as directed by the Supervisor.
• Participate in other projects and assist with additional duties as requested by the Supervisor, including supporting the emergency disaster team in the event of a national disaster or weather emergency.

Qualifications and Skills:

• High School diploma/GED, and relevant prior experience, including one year+ providing direct crisis support, residential services, customer service, hospitality, handling confidential information in a highly sensitive environment, emergency response, or other relevant fields.
• Experience providing supportive services, referrals and information, intervention services and/or advocacy to vulnerable, at-risk, or culturally specific populations is preferred.
• Ability to engage in and model supportive, healthy relationships with survivors, peers, staff and community members.
• Ability to safely de-escalate a crisis, conflict, and critical event utilizing a trauma-informed de-escalation approach.
• Must adhere to SafeSpace ethics, policies, procedures, and contractual standards.
• Must have the ability to gain knowledge of local resources, social service agencies, including government systems.
• Ability to communicate efficiently utilizing verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Must maintain and protect the confidentiality of the program participants and shelter locations within agency guidelines and state statutes.
• Bilingual language skills are preferred.
• Must be willing to support the emergency disaster team in the event of a national disaster or weather emergency.
• Must be able to pass a level two background screen.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license with reliable transportation to work at various locations including both emergency shelters and outreach locations.
• Ability to be flexible and provide coverage when needed to meet SafeSpace Martin County and Indian River County emergency shelter scheduling needs, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.
• Must be organized and detail-oriented to report and collect accurate data and information.
• Must be able to handle and prioritize emergencies and unexpected needs of program participants.
• Ability to be self-motivated and work as part of a collaborative team.

Core Competencies

• Professionalism and compassion
• Attention to detail
• Reliability and accountability
• Cultural humility and inclusivity
• Problem-solving and initiative
• Team collaboration

Training Requirements:

Required onboarding training will be conducted at the Administrative office or designated location during the hours of 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday regardless of shift schedule. Must successfully complete CORE Competency training provided by the agency within 90 days of employment and participate in ongoing mandatory education and skills training on relevant topics as required by statutory funding, certification of the agency or personnel, or as identified to improve employee performance. Must maintain annual training requirements outlined in the employee manual. Must have or gain knowledge in Florida Domestic Violence Statutes, Injunctions for Protection, court procedures, victim rights, Office of the Attorney General Victim Compensation / Relocation and Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), and the Florida Department of Corrections VINE (Victim Information Notification Everyday).

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job operates in a 24-hour emergency shelter. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Will be a noisy environment that is fast paced with high stimulation. Working with survivors of intimate partner domestic violence may increase exposure to secondary trauma.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work will be performed in both inside and outside environments.

Notice to Applicants: All finalists for employment with SafeSpace, Inc. are required to undergo screening through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. For more information, please visit https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

SafeSpace is an Equal Opportunity Employer.