Direct Service Advocate- Relief

Department: Programs
Classification: Non-exempt
Reports to: Shelter Supervisor
Status: Relief/On-Call
Location: Anchorage
Compensation: Starts at $25/hr; Plus $1.50-$2.00/hr shift differential for eligible shifts

Position Summary:

The Direct Service Advocate (DSA) provides trauma-informed, survivor-centered support to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and related abuse. The DSA supports safe shelter operations and assists participants with crisis intervention, advocacy, safety planning, resource navigation, and stabilization.

Responsibilities include crisis line support, participant intake and engagement, documentation, group facilitation, facility support, and coordination with internal teams and community providers. This position requires compassion, sound judgment, adaptability, emotional resilience, and the ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Essential Functions

• Adheres to all agency policies, procedures, confidentiality standards, and mandatory reporting requirements
• Follows agency policies, confidentiality standards, and mandatory reporting requirements.
• Provides trauma-informed, survivor-centered services using cultural humility, ethical communication, and professional boundaries.
• Responds to crisis line calls with support, de-escalation, safety planning, information, and referrals.
• Completes participant screening, intake, orientation, and discharge processes.
• Helps participants develop safety plans, goals, and stabilization strategies that promote autonomy and empowerment.
• Provides advocacy, resource navigation, referrals, and systems support.
• Maintains accurate and timely case notes, incident reports, data entry, and required program documentation.
• Facilitates support groups, educational activities, and participant engagement opportunities.
• Coordinates services with internal teams and community partners to support continuity of care.
• Monitors participant and facility safety and responds to crises, conflicts, behavioral concerns, and emergencies.
• Provides trained emergency interventions, including first aid, CPR, AED, and Naloxone/Narcan, when appropriate.
• Conducts facility walkthroughs and helps maintain a safe, clean, and sanitary environment.
• Supports communal living expectations, conflict resolution, and participant problem-solving.
• Assists with basic needs, including meals, hygiene items, supplies, donations, shelter resources, and transportation.
• Provides administrative and operational support, including phones, filing, inventory, cleaning, and supply organization.
• Participates in meetings, training, case coordination, and agency initiatives.
• Supports the onboarding, mentoring, and training of new staff as assigned.
• Transports participants in agency vehicles for approved appointments, services, and shelter-related needs.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Program Focus Areas

Adult Services Focus:

• Supports participants in working toward individualized goals, case plans, stabilization, and transition planning.
• Facilitates psycho-educational and support groups for adult survivors.
• Coordinates participant services with internal teams and external providers.

Children’s Resiliency Focus:

• Provides trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate support to children and youth.
• Facilitates children’s groups, resiliency activities, and parent-child engagement.
• Helps caregivers strengthen protective factors and healthy family relationships.
• Identifies child and family needs through collaborative case planning.
• Coordinates activities, supplies, childcare, and age-appropriate resources.
• Maintains accurate children’s services records and program documentation.

Wellness & Education Focus:

• Facilitates wellness, life-skills, psychoeducational, and prevention-focused activities.
• Helps participants build healthy coping skills, routines, and self-advocacy strategies.
• Connects participants with culturally relevant, community-based, and participant-identified spiritual supports.
• Promotes a positive, respectful, and healing-centered environment.

Relief/On-Call Focus:

• Provides flexible coverage across shelter and nonresidential programs.
• Maintains continuity of services during staffing shortages, emergencies, and periods of high demand.
• Responds to participant needs across program areas and adapts to changing shifts and assignments.
• Attends all required training and meetings, including quarterly Relief Staff meetings.

• Relief/On-Call DSA’s must meet the following expectations and performance standards:
  • Relief must work a minimum of 30 hours a month.
  • Work one overnight shift per month, unless hours are not available.

Supervisory Accountabilities:

• None.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree in human services, social work, psychology, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred.
• Relevant experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Valid Alaska driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.
• Ability to meet applicable background check, driving, training, and certification requirements.

Minimum Experience

• Two years of experience in social services, crisis response, advocacy, shelter services, behavioral health, or work with at-risk or vulnerable populations.
• Experience supporting individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, trauma, housing instability, or related circumstances is preferred.
• Experience with crisis intervention, de-escalation, participant documentation, or community resource coordination is preferred.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

The DSA works in shelter, residential, office, community, vehicle, and outdoor settings. The position regularly interacts with individuals experiencing crisis, trauma, emotional distress, mental health concerns, and substance use-related challenges.

• Works in communal environments with moderate noise and frequent exposure to sensitive topics involving violence, abuse, and safety.
• Walks, stands, and remains active for extended periods.
• Frequently bends, kneels, crouches, reaches, climbs stairs, and moves throughout agency facilities.
• Lifts and carries supplies, donations, luggage, and program materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Pushes and pulls carts and supplies, including outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Operates agency vehicles in varying weather and road conditions.
• Communicates clearly in person and by phone and regularly uses computers, phones, and office equipment.
• Responds to emergencies and assists with evacuation and safety procedures.

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

AWAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Employment with AWAIC is at-will, meaning either you or the company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, unless otherwise provided by applicable law or a written agreement. Signing below does not change the at-will employment status.