Crisis Hotline Advocate

Bay Area Women's Center seeks a Crisis Hotline Advocate to join our team. This position supports the agency’s domestic violence and sexual assault crisis hotline and emergency shelter program.

BAWC proudly offers a 32-hour full-time workweek to promote a healthier work-life balance. Our commitment to being an LGBTQ+-friendly workplace is unwavering, and management actively works to cultivate an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and included. We celebrate diversity and believe that everyone deserves respect, acceptance, and equal opportunities.

As part of our commitment to our employees, BAWC provides an exceptional benefits package. This includes staff wellness programs, platinum-level health care, and more than three weeks of paid time off in your first year, ensuring your well-being and time for self-care. Staff also enjoy paid lunches, eleven paid holidays, a paid day off in the month of your birthday, AD&D/Life/LTD insurance, and a matching retirement option. With BAWC, you'll also have the opportunity for personal and professional growth, and most importantly, you'll be part of an amazing, diverse team working together to influence societal change that saves lives every day.

Bay Area Women's Center stands as a beacon of hope and support for individuals facing domestic and sexual violence. The center offers a safe haven and a range of vital services, from emergency shelter to counseling, ensuring that every person in need receives the care and assistance necessary to rebuild and empower their lives.

The Crisis Hotline Advocate is a crucial support position that provides immediate assistance to survivors in crisis and survivors residing in the emergency shelter program. This position serves as a first point of contact in emergencies, ensuring that individuals feel heard, supported, and directed toward the appropriate resources or services they may need. Responsibilities include offering emotional support, guiding survivors through crisis situations, and demonstrating empathy and understanding. The Crisis Hotline Advocate contributes to the agency’s mission of shifting social norms and attitudes towards a zero-tolerance stance on domestic violence and sexual assault.

The ideal candidate has strong communication skills, a compassionate and nonjudgmental disposition, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Self-leadership, crisis intervention skills, and excellent decision-making abilities are essential for effectively managing the unique challenges that may arise in such settings and for providing support and guidance to individuals in need. An associate’s degree or 60 credit hours in social work/human services is preferred. Relevant work history may be considered. Experience in a residential setting and knowledge of the issues surrounding domestic violence is preferred but not required. On-the-job training will be provided.

This position is scheduled for second-shift hours and works with the team to cover open shifts and holidays when necessary.

BAWC does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, disability, gender identification/expression, sexual orientation/expression, partisan considerations, genetic information, or any protected class.

Applicants wishing to be considered must submit a resume to apply.

Specific Duties:

• Provide the highest quality of care in responding to crisis phone calls.
• Perform client intakes as needed.
• Assist residential clients with completing documentation, including but not limited to applications for employment, education, and income related to their goals.
• Provide support and mediation for communal living issues in the residential program.
• Support other residential staff in meeting clients’ needs while in the shelter program.
• Promote healthy living within the shelter and support the meal program through oversight of meals, record keeping, and resident assistance.
• Attend in-service training to enhance knowledge and professional development.
• Assist with shelter housekeeping duties.
• Ensure confidentiality and accuracy of client records.
• Track and complete data entry related to services provided. 
• Compile, maintain, and report statistical data.

This is only an outline of responsibilities and should not be considered all-encompassing.

The nature of the position may expose the employee to sensitive and graphic subject matter.

Requirements

• Preferred: An associate's degree or 60 credit hours in an educational program in human services, social work, or psychology.
• Consideration may be given to individuals with at least three years of relevant work experience.
• Preferred: Knowledge and experience with the issues of domestic violence, sexual assault, and crisis intervention.
• Demonstrate self-leadership, compassion, and empathy.
• Computer skills and experience, specifically with Microsoft Excel, Access, and Word.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to work independently or in groups, with organizational skills
• Able to work a flexible schedule, including, but not limited to, weekends and holidays.
• Able to multitask in potentially high-risk and confrontational situations.
• Able to work with a diverse population in a non-judgmental, empowering manner.
• Able to safely operate office machines and shelter appliances/equipment. 
• Able to lift 20 pounds on occasion.
• Able to travel within the service area and the state.
• Successful candidates are subject to Central Registry Clearance and criminal background screening.

This is a non-exempt, full-time, 32-hours per week position starting at $17.50 - $18.50 per hour.

Benefits

Benefits Package:

• Short Workweeks: A 32-hour work week for full-time staff; overtime at time & one half if working past 32 hours.
• Shift Premium: An additional $5 per hour premium if working between 10pm and 6am.
• Paid Lunches: No need to clock out for lunch.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off to celebrate your special day.
• Staff Wellness Programs: Initiatives to promote physical and mental health.
• Paid Time Off: Over three weeks of leave in the first year for rest and rejuvenation. Increased accruals based on tenure.
• Paid Holidays: Eleven days throughout the year to celebrate national holidays.
• Platinum-Level Health Care: Premium medical coverage for employees.
• Insurance Coverage: No cost comprehensive AD&D, Life, and LTD insurance policies.
• Retirement Plan: 3% matching contribution to your retirement savings.