Reports to: Program Director
Weekly Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours/week; Monday – Friday, 7am-3pm
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Starting Rate: $20.00
The YWCA of Western MA is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering survivors. We provide a safe place for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Our programs and services include crisis shelter and transitional housing for survivors and their families, counseling, SAFEPLAN court advocacy, community education, supervised visitation, HIV education and testing, and vocational training. The YWCA provides services at several sites, including Holyoke, Northampton, Westfield, and our primary Springfield campus.
Expectations of all employees
In the performance of essential and general job responsibilities, all YWCA employees are expected to:
- Demonstrate commitment to the YW’s mission and principles of trauma-informed work.
- Represent the YW in a professional and competent manner to participants, community members, organizational partners, and other stakeholders.
- Support policies, practices, and decisions that demonstrate our shared accountability for racial equity.
- Communicate openly and contribute to the development of others.
- Coordinate efforts across teams, programs, and partner organizations.
- Maintain professional behavior and strict confidentiality.
Position Purpose
The Direct Service Advocate (DSA) is responsible for providing support, advocacy and role modeling to adult, teen and child program participants living in the YWCA’s residential programs. DSA’s are part of a team model working with peers, supervisors, clinicians and outside connections to best serve program participants. DSA’s support the agency mission and trauma informed service model in order to provide safe, consistent and quality services to vulnerable populations.
Essential Responsibilities
- Nurture and support a milieu approach that is participant-guided, family-driven, strengths-based, and trauma-informed and embraces a framework of empowerment and encouragement;
- Encourage and support the development of life skills and positive parent-child interaction through recreational, educational, and cultural or those that promote family engagement groups and individual sessions;
- Promote a safe and supportive living environment by modeling organizational policy and guidelines as well as completing all safety checks;
- Provide daily information as it relates to data collection and outcome measurements through the completion of Apricot logs prior to end of shift;
- Assist with child care as needed;
- Responsible for maintenance and upkeep of the facility and property (including, but not limited to: vacuuming, laundry, shoveling, mopping);
- Provide transportation to residents while adhering to all safety laws/policies;
- Attend scheduled staff meetings, supervision and trainings as required; and
- Perform other related duties as needed.
Qualifications
- A.A. or equivalent education or experience in a human service field;
- One year of counseling, direct service experience, and/or residential experience;
- Familiarity with issues of domestic violence and survivors of gender-based violence and exploitation;
- Strong Communication and computer skills;
- Experience addressing the impacts of decisions and actions on communities;
- Understanding of both interpersonal bias and structural racism;
- Ability to represent agency from a management perspective in an active union environment;
- Must be able to be covered by the agency's insurance policy; and
- Must be able to lift 40 lbs.
BENEFITS
The YWCA offers a wide range of competitive benefits including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, generous paid time-off, and an employer-matched retirement plan.
STATEMENT OF EQUALITY
It is the policy of YWCA of Western Massachusetts to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the YWCA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT
The YWCA is an “at-will” equal opportunity employer. While the YWCA will continue to operate with care regarding employment decisions, the YWCA and its employees may terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason, with or without cause, and without advance notice. Exceptions include select, non-exempt positions covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS
The YWCA, in our effort to provide safety to those we serve, and to protect our agency, performs criminal offender record information (CORI) checks on all prospective employees. Final offers of employment are contingent upon receipt of an acceptable CORI report as solely determined by the YWCA.
INTRODUCTORY PERIOD
All employment at the YWCA begins with a 120-day Introductory Period.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Ability to Relocate:
- Holyoke, MA: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person