House Advocate—Women's New Life Program at the Grace House

Position Title:   House Advocate
Department:  Women’s Ministries
Reports to:  Director of Women’s Ministries
FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt, Hourly
Job Type:  Part-Time, 2^nd shift
Compensation: $15.00/hr.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Women’s Ministries, the House Advocate’s responsibility is to provide a safe, healing, and grace-filled environment for program residents. The House Advocate supports the Program Director and the Case Manager in facilitating the overall operation of Grace House.

 

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Work collaboratively with staff and volunteers to provide Grace House participants with a Biblical, caring, and effective immersion experience into the program by providing a clear understanding of program expectations and facilitating thorough introductions to all program components.
  
  
• Supervise and assist participants with the following instrumental activities of daily living: transportation and shopping, managing finances, meal preparation and clean-up, household chores, communication with outside providers/individuals, and medication distribution and documentation.
  
  
• Administer alcohol and drug testing as scheduled/needed.
  
  
• Assist in the intake and exit procedures of program participants as directed.
  
  
• Facilitate classes, groups, and off-campus activities as assigned or directed.
  
  
• Review staff communication log and complete staff cross-over before beginning shift.
  
  
• Document notable participant interactions with staff, volunteers, and/or other participants—elevate critical concerns directly to the Director or Case Manager.
  
  
• Complete accident/incident reports as needed.
  
  
• Facilitate the completion of administrative and supportive functions, including completing reports, filing, household shopping, tracking and ordering household and office supplies, reporting maintenance concerns, maintaining and updating the resource binder, and shelter hand-outs.
  
  
• Attend monthly Erie City Mission staff meetings.
  
  
• Attend monthly Grace House staff meetings, in-house training sessions, and other trainings as directed.
  
  

Other Duties as Assigned:

In this and any position with the Erie City Mission, it is impossible to predict the many requests and assignments that can and will be made to an employee. Flexibility and a cooperative spirit are crucial characteristics of the person who holds this essential position, and for the successful operation of the Erie City Mission’s services.

Education & Experience

High School Diploma or GED.  Must be at least 21 years of age. Experience in working with populations including mental health, substance abuse, victims of abuse, or chronically homeless.

Must have a valid PA Driver’s License.

 

Skills & Abilities

The Erie City Mission considers every position one of Christian ministry and every person a vital and valued part of our team. Therefore, all employees of the Erie City Mission must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and subscribe to our Statement of Faith and Core Values. 

• Must agree with the philosophy and policies of the ministry and be able to view this as a team ministry with a servant’s heart.
  
  
• Must possess knowledge and experience in understanding recovery issues and the recovery environment, demonstrate effective communication skills (both written and verbal), and be able to act effectively and calmly in crises, and be willing to confront behaviors and assist residents in evaluating choices daily. 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is primarily sedentary, sitting for long periods of time, and is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Contact with the computer screen for long periods of time is required.

 

Working Conditions

Works primarily at the Grace House campus but may also facilitate various experiences and ministries at other locations. Utilizes computer—Microsoft Office programs and Outlook, plus related office equipment.

 

Benefits

Part-time employees after 90 days receive:

• 401(k) with generous 5% company match

 

Other part-time employee benefits include:

• Paid vacation days (prorated)
• Holiday pay (prorated)
• Paid personal days (prorated)
• Paid sick days (prorated)