Lead Advocate

General Information

Job Title: Lead Advocate
Contact: Eileen E Henrikson, 9077435714
Date Posted: 12/13/2024
Date Closed: 12/30/2024
Location: Anchorage (D)

Compensation and Hours

Minimum Salary: DOE
Maximum Salary: DOE
Type of Job: Full Time
Hours per Week: 40
Benefits: Health/Dental/Vision/401K
Anticipated Job Duration: None Selected

Department: Programs Classification: Non-exempt

Reports to: Shelter Manager Status: Full-time Location: Anchorage Revision Date: 12/11/2024

Position Summary: The Lead Advocate is a full-time, non-exempt position responsible for the floor line supervision of direct service advocates in the shelter as well as providing direst services in shelter, assisting with screening, intake, assessment, crisis intervention, and safety planning for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The Lead Advocate assists and works at the direction of management in all areas of supervision and service delivery to include personnel management and training, program quality, outcomes, service delivery, and data quality.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Justice, Education, Public health or related field from an accredited institution and two (2) years of advocacy experience in the field of social or human services. Experience can substitute for Bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.

• Proficient use of computers and standard office equipment, excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to work under pressure, and the ability to prioritize workload to meet deadlines is required.

• Possession of a current State of Alaska Driving License and maintenance of a clean driving record.

• Ability to clear and maintain stringent federal, state and local background clearances.

Minimum Experience

• Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in a non-profit or public sector youth or social services or residential program.

• Supervisory experience preferred.

• Data management and reporting experience preferred

Essential Functions

Leadership and Program Supervision

• Supervise the direct service advocates in the shelter and the overall flow of each shift including task assignments.

• Train, evaluate, develop, and support training goals for supervisees.

• Work collaboratively with all members of the leadership team and key stakeholders both inside and outside of the organization

• Assist shelter management in providing direction, oversight, and management of policies, procedures, and protocols to properly execute Agency activities and requirements within sphere of responsibility.

• Consistently evaluate the shelter program’s performance and identify and/or execute corrective measures accordingly.

• Assist shelter management with all shelter performance improvement activities.

• Assure confidential client files and records are maintained in accordance with AWAIC’s Confidentiality Policies and Procedures, in addition to all government and granting source regulations, laws and contract requirements.

• Approve and submit shelter timesheets for supervised employees

• Create, evaluate, and edit shelter staff schedule as assigned.

• Model the organization’s values and provide effective motivation, encouragement, and accountability for staff.

Direct Services:

• Provide consistent, exceptional service to all AWAIC program participants.
• Provide crisis intervention, individual support, and information about internal and external resources to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking.
• Provide short-term follow-up advocacy and support to participants in coordination with the Case Manager.
• Increase victims' safety and individual safety planning.
• Educate program participants about the civil and criminal justice system including forms completion and support/coordinate with the Anchorage Police Department (APD), the Municipality of Anchorage Department of Law (MOA/LAW), the Violent Crimes Compensation Board (VCCB) and other related agencies as needed.
• Advocate on behalf of program participants with community agencies to establish rapport and cooperation.
• Develop and maintain a trusting, empowering relationship with the program participant that supports the program participant’s goal plan.
• Be proactive and a leader in situations that require effective de-escalation of crisis situations.

Training and Outreach:

• Conduct presentations and training to community organizations regarding AWAIC, Inc. services and DV/SA/ST as assigned by a management member.
• Represent AWAIC, Inc. at various community meetings as directed.
• Attend and contribute in all required staff meetings and actively participate in the training of new staff, volunteers, and interns. Provide supervisory support to volunteers and interns as directed.

Quality Improvement

• Analyze trends and practices of similar organizations at local and national levels and identify and propose strategies for improvement within the organization.

• Working with the executive and management teams, consistently monitor data, feedback, productivity or other key performance indicators to evaluate their program and the Agency for quality improvement purposes.

• Assist in maximizing the utility of participant databases to collect, analyze, and report outcome data with the goal of increasing public and private investment.

• Manage and foster shelter best practices to include process improvement initiatives.

Other:

• Remain updated on current information in the field of domestic violence through research, workshops, and training opportunities.
• Acknowledge diversity reflected in the AWAIC program population and in the community at large and demonstrate a commitment to cultural competency.
• Adhere to and take a leadership role in AWAIC, Inc.’s model of ethical communication to include addressing conflict and establishing boundaries.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate directly and respectfully. Engage in and role model direct conflict resolution and mediation.
• Consistent and dependable attendance.
• Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Supervisory Accountabilities:

This position is accountable for oversight and assigned supervisory duties for assigned position(s).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Sound and logical judgment, critical thinking, and reasoning.

• Ability to utilize a mixture of evidence-based analysis, wisdom, and judgment to effectively make decisions.

• Effective and innovative problem solving and conflict resolution skills and behaviors.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, juggle multiple projects, meet deadlines, and manage priorities.

• Knowledgeable and proficient in typical office software programs and applications.

• Consistent demonstration of ethics, integrity, fairness, and trustworthiness.

• Excellent oral, written, and public communication skills.

• Effective, supportive, and positive interpersonal communication skills and behaviors.

• Effective and adaptive leadership competencies and behaviors.

• Ability to build, sustain, or repair relationships with a diverse stakeholder group.

• Ability to demonstrate empathy and compassion consistent with the organization’s guiding principles and values.

• Demonstrated executive presence, influence, and credibility.

• Strong degrees of self-discipline, self-confidence, and self-development.

Working Conditions

• Noise level is mild to moderate, consistent with office and residential environments.
• Must have the ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Must have the ability to observe details within close range.
• Must be able to remain in stationary position for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to move within the office to access files and office equipment.
• Consistently operates a computer and related office machinery.
• Must be able to ascend/descend stairway, possibly without the assistance of an elevator
• Occasionally moves items up to 40 pounds, including while ascending/descending stairways.
• Occasional stooping or kneeling
• Exposure to topics related to domestic violence, other types of abuse, substance use, and other emotionally sensitive situations and subjects

AWAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employee

Note: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

This posting does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.

Required Job Qualifications

In order to be considered for this position you must submit a fingerprint-based background check, per AS 12.62.160(b)(9). If you agree and submit your fingerprints at time of hire, you have certain rights. To continue this application process please
Are you willing to submit to a Background Check?
Do you possess a valid/current State of Alaska Driver's License or can you obtain one by the time of hire?
Please confirm your understanding that providing your fingerprints and associated information is voluntary; however, failure to do so may affect completion or approval of your application.
Please confirm your understanding that the instructions to complete or challenge your criminal history record is available under Title 28, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Section 16.34.
Please confirm your understanding that you will be given 30 days from the date your criminal history record is received by AWAIC, to complete or challenge the information contained in your criminal history record (or decline to do so).