Recruiting Opportunity Closes: 04.13.2023

Hourly Wage: $18.50 - $20.00 DOE

Hours Per Week: 24

Status: Non-Exempt / Part Time

Number of Positions: 1

Department: West Women’s and Children’s Shelter

Position Title: Child Advocate

The Salvation Army Mission Statement:

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

West Women’s Mission Statement:

We create a safe nurturing environment for survivors to realize their potential for healing and growth as we work together to end domestic violence.

Application Instructions:

Complete the online job application, upload a resume.

To apply online go to: Child Advocate

To apply in person go to 30 SW 2nd Ave., Portland, Oregon 97204. Bring a resume and complete the job application provided to you. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Questions, contact Barbara Dupaix at barbara.dupaix@usw.salvationarmy.org or call (503) 731-3910. Ms. Dupaix is the sole point of contact for questions regarding this position.

Recruiting Accommodation Statement:

To obtain assistance with accommodations related to the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) concerning your application process, please contact 1-888-887-6528 or email thq.reporting.line@usw.salvationarmy.org, attention Eric Hansen or Sheila Jordan.

COVID-19

The Salvation Army will comply with all governmental orders and any contractual obligations relative to COVID-19 safety measures, including mandatory vaccination of staff, if required. The Salvation Army will consider requests for exemptions from any such requirements on either religious or medical grounds.

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EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

Preferred: BA/BS in Human Services field plus experience in a social service setting working with vulnerable populations and/or trauma survivors. Direct experience working with children, especially in a social service setting. Commitment to children’s issues required. Understanding of early childhood development required.

Considered: Equivalent work and life experience connected to working with vulnerable populations and/or Trauma Survivors. Bi-lingual skills or multi-cultural experience.

SCOPE OF POSITION: Provide developmentally appropriate individual and group activities to all children residing at West Women’s. Support mothers and their children who range in age from birth to 18 years of age who have experienced crisis and domestic violence. Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly environment for children. Plan and organize activities and programs for children and families. This position will be highly focused on meeting the need of children and family units fleeing traumatizing situations. The objective is to bring a sense of stability, safety, and normalcy for the Children.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain ongoing professional relationship in all interpersonal contacts (note confidentiality and professional guidelines requirements).
• Connect with community resources and partners to increase family fun activities available to residents of the West.
• Engage in play and learning activities with children.
• Keep all children within sight and voice range at all times.
• Work as a member of the family/children’s team providing input and thorough documentation for inclusion in case files.
• Maintain a safe, clean, orderly, and child-proof environment in the Children’s Program and additional play areas on a daily basis.
• Provide advocacy, supportive services, and case management to participants applying the assertive engagement and trauma informed care model.
• Identify and make connections with resources which assist in participants increased safety, self-sufficiency, and housing stability.
• Maintain participant files with appropriate forms and information. Log pertinent information in a timely fashion as related to Children and their advocacy. Maintain all appropriate forms relating to Children’s Program.
• Advocate, support and encourage personal empowerment of the participant and within the shelter setting.
• Perform appropriate statistical and data entry tasks in a timely fashion.
• Work with both internal and external entities to increase the success and safety for each participant.
• Provide front desk coverage as needed and required during your shift.
• Always attend to the safety and security needs of the shelter.
• Maintain high ethical standards in all case consultation with peers and outside agencies or Programs/Referrals
• Uphold all confidentiality policies and procedures in accordance with agency policies and VAWA Standards.
• Organizes projects, sets priorities, calculates, catalogues, inspects, analyzes, plans, comprehends, and cooperates with others, etc.
• Work on multiple simultaneous projects in an environment characterized by interruptions and noise from ringing telephones, printers, copiers, and walk-in traffic, multiple deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision and be comfortable working with a high degree of in dependence. May be required to make independent decisions that may involve unique or unusual situations and/or complex issues and dealing with demanding requests and/or timelines.
• Be present and on time for all staff meetings as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to prioritize multiple requests and demands from residents and their Children.
• High level of problem-solving skills.
• High level of patience.
• A genuine concern for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy.
• Must be willing to advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion.

SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE-RELATED SKILLS:

• Utilize Microsoft Office 2010 (Word, Outlook and Excel) or later Software
• Use Networked computers and printers Use a Photo Copier and Scanner
• Motor vehicle Experience as needed
• Utilize and Understand Reporting Databases (such as Service Point, Osnium, MS Excel)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis
• Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead
• Ability to operate a desktop or laptop computer - Ability to operate telephone
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. (usually file boxes)
• Ability to understand written information

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is a reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

SUPERVISOR: Justin Moshkowski

Experience

• Equivalent work and life experience connected to working with vulnerable populations and/or Trauma Survivors. Bi-lingual skills or multi-cultural experience. Commitment to children’s issues required. Understanding of early childhood development required.

• BA/BS in Human Services field plus experience in a social service setting working with vulnerable populations and/or trauma survivors. Direct experience working with children, especially in a social service setting.

Education

• High School or Equivalent or better

• Bachelors or better in Human Services or related field

Licenses & Certifications

• Driver's License

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)