Client Assistant

Doorways • Part-time • Arlington, VA, US • $21 / hour • 3w ago

Agency Overview:

Doorways is an Arlington-based non-profit agency helping individuals and families create pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault leading to safe, stable, and empowered lives. We envision a community where all people live free of violence and have safe and stable housing regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, age, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, abilities, language, or national origin. We see a future without homelessness or domestic and sexual violence.

Doorways began in 1978 when a group of concerned community members saw there was no safe place in Arlington for families in crisis. What began then with one shelter and one response has grown into a series of pathways individually tailored for adults, youth, and children seeking safety and shelter. From immediate crisis intervention to counseling, housing, and employment support, we offer real options and multiple pathways for people of all ages and genders—women, men, youth, and LGBTQIA+ people.

Program Summary:

The Doorways’ Domestic and Sexual Violence Safehouse is the only domestic and sexual violence shelter in Arlington County. This program uses both congregate and scattered site models to provide a safe, temporary home to those who are escaping imminent danger due to domestic and/or sexual violence. The Doorways Domestic and Sexual Violence Safehouse is more than just a place to find shelter from domestic and sexual violence. All are welcome, including women, men, and those who identify as LGBTQ+. At the Safehouse, Doorways provides a spectrum of life-saving, supportive and educational services to help survivors of all ages learn about their options, increase their safety, and live a life free of violence. These wraparound, trauma-informed services enable individuals and families to obtain safety, stability, and self-sufficiency so that they can progress to the next phase of their life.

Position Summary:

The Client Assistant (CA) works as part of a team and independently to provide services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their children who are living in Doorways Safehouse and Scattered Site Program. The CA has primary responsibility shelter coverage, crisis intervention, case management support, oversight of daily scattered site operations, and answering calls to our 24-hour domestic and sexual violence hotline as back-up coverage. The position is as needed, on-site, requires on-call availability and is considered “essential” for personnel in times of hardship, such as extreme weather conditions and/or other emergencies. This position reports to the Shelter Manager, Safehouse.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Direct Client Services

Provide primary shelter coverage and secondary hotline coverage.
Maintain client confidentiality at all times in accordance to Doorways Policy, including former clients.
Ensure adequate supervision of children by parents.
Provide in person supportive services as needed to shelter residents, such as crisis intervention, safety planning, and resources as directed by Shelter Manager.
When answering hotline, provide safety assessments and planning, crisis intervention, and linkages to community resources and referrals.
Complete all Safehouse and hotline documentation and data entry according to protocols.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with Safehouse residents.
Complete new client intake process according to policy for all Safehouse clients during shift.
Document notable interactions among clients, staff and volunteers.
Elevate pertinent client and house concerns to the DSV Management team in a timely manner.
Encourage clients to adhere to all community living guidelines and maintain a clean communal living space by prompting to complete daily chores and clean-up after meals
Perform program departure procedures with clients.
Ensure shelter residents’ needs are met related to accessing prescription and over-the counter medications, personal care items, transportation funds, gift cards etc., adhering to all program policies related to distribution of these items.

Program Operations

Ensure the safety and security of the shelter and shelter residents (shovel and/or salt driveway, clean-up and disinfection of bodily fluids, etc.).
Provide back-up, weekend and/or holiday on-call coverage on a rotating basis with full-time Home Coordinators.
Perform daily home walkthroughs and safety checks as appropriate for shift and complete any needed remedial activities.
Perform walk-throughs at the scattered site apartments and complete any needed remedial activities.
Conduct and participate with other shelter staff in shift exchange.
Document all visitors, including vendors and volunteers.
Clean, sanitize and prepare newly vacated bedrooms and apartments to be ready for new client arrivals.
Document all shelter and scattered site maintenance issues on the Daily Log and ensure communication amongst team and Program Director, tier staff and facilities manager.
Work in collaboration with the facilities manager to manage scattered site repairs.
Work in collaboration with the cleaning service and facilities manager to ensure cleanliness of scattered site apartments.
Ensure the shelter and scattered sites are cleaned, stocked, and organized.
Responsible for scattered sites oversight, stocking, cleaning, shopping, etc.
Assist in on-the-job training and support of client assistants, home coordinators and volunteers.
Document and respond to critical incidents as needed, adhering to Doorways’ Critical Incident Policy.

Agency Responsibilities:

Demonstrate alignment with Doorways’ core values and mission.
Attend meetings, as required.
Compile and report relevant data and statistics as necessary.
Maintain current industry knowledge and best practices.
Current CPR/First Aid certification.
Successful completion of a CPS Check.
Successful completion of Criminal and Sex Offender Background Check.
Successful completion of Fingerprint Background Check.
Negative TB Screening Result.
Adhere to agency policies and procedures.

Knowledge and Skills Needed:

Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, or related field. Master’s degree in social work or counseling preferred.
At least 2 years of relevant work experience in domestic and sexual violence or a residential setting required.
Thorough knowledge of trauma-informed practice and direct experience applying this knowledge in the human services field with families affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, substance abuse, and mental health issues.
Basic computer skills including Microsoft suite.
Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
Possess a high level of interpersonal relationship skills and ability to maintain professional boundaries.
Must demonstrate an acceptance and respect for cultural diversity in all its forms, including ethnicity, sexual orientation, abilities, and religious backgrounds and an ability to work collaboratively in an ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse environment.
Must be comfortable working in an environment where it is necessary to process the past and present trauma endured by survivors.
Ability to relate to historically marginalized populations, including those that are experiencing homelessness and/or trauma survivors.
Flexible and a self-starter, demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, mitigate risk, and make sound decisions.
Must possess basic computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, email, and the internet (Microsoft Suite).
Must be located in the DMV.
Access to a reliable vehicle, valid driver’s license, and proof of automobile insurance.

Requirements: Applicants need to successfully undergo a background check (including fingerprinting, child protective services, and TB screening).

Compensation: $21 per hour.

Work Schedule: Evenings, Overnights, and Weekends

Doorways is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All our employment decisions are based on merit. We do not discriminate in any employment actions based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected status.

Doorways is a drug-free workplace committed to the safety and well-being of all employees. Doorways prohibits the unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of controlled substances or marijuana within the workplace.