Job Description

Join SARC: Be the Lifeline for Survivors

Are you ready to make a real difference? At  SARC (The Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resources Center) , we are more than an organization - we are a movement. We stand with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and stalking, providing safety, advocacy, and hope. Now, we're looking for  strong, compassionate, and mission-driven individuals to join our team as  Residential Advocates . 

About SARC

Founded in 1978, SARC has been a cornerstone of safety and support in Harford County. what started as a grassroots effort has grown into a comprehensive resource center offering shelter, crisis intervention, legal advocacy, and community education. Our values -  Respect, Collaboration, Grace, Safety, and Integrity - guide everything we do, and together, we work to  end abuse and empower survivors.

About the Role: Residential Advocate (Safehouse)

As a Safehouse Advocate, you will be the  heart of our shelter - a steady, compassionate presence for survivors in crisis. You'll ensure a safe, welcoming environment while responding to urgent needs with  grace under pressure. 

The Safehouse Advocate position aids individuals and families requiring assistance by performing the
following duties. The Safehouse requires coverage (24) hours per day, (7) days per week. This
position is considered Essential Personnel. This means that staff in this position will be
required to work remotely or be onsite during a Weather Emergency or other Federal and/or
State Mandated Emergency.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Ensure safety of clients to include monitoring admission into the building, video cameras, and
  setting of alarm system.
• Assume responsibility for all scheduled and unscheduled Helpline calls/shifts to include
  meeting with walk-in clients after business hours.
• Complete shelter screenings to determine candidate meets program requirements.
  
• Be knowledgeable and implement the Trauma Informed Care philosophy by creating a safe,
  therapeutic living and working environment for our clients which espouse the proactive
  principles of growth, change, and empowerment of the individual.
• Provide crisis intervention to client individually, in family, or in other small groups
  regarding plans for meeting needs, and aids client to mobilize inner capacities and
  environmental resources to improve social functioning.
• Assist in co-facilitating structured information groups to Safehouse clients, with the goal of
  exploring issues faced by people in abusive relationships.
• Accesses and records client and community resource information.
  
• Maintain and accurately document contact in client files as well as in the ETO system.
  
• Meet regularly with the Safehouse Director.
  
• Assist in providing case management support to Safehouse clients through advocacy and
  referrals, following the action plan developed by the Case Manager.
• Oversee client chores in order to ensure proper maintenance and cleanliness of the Safehouse
  Program.
• Assists with client transportation and donation pick-up.
  
• Performs light janitorial duties as needed.
  
• Full-time Advocates will work a minimum of six 8 hour holiday shifts per calendar year.
  
• Other duties as assigned by management.
  

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and
  procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
  
• Ability to speak effectively
  before groups of customers.
• Excellent listening skills.
  

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, and
  diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized
  situations.
  

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• The employee is required to maintain a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record and comply with the
  provisions of the SARC “Driving Record for Employees” policy, while employed by SARC.
• The employee must inform their direct supervisor immediately if their valid state issued driver’s license is
  denied, expired, suspended or revoked, or if ticketed for a moving violation by a police agency while
  operating a company vehicle. Successful completion of a criminal background check is required to
  maintain this position.
• The employee will also be required to complete the SARC’s 26 hour Basic Crisis
  Response Training within 6 months from the date of hire.
• The employee must be willing and able to
  attend ongoing Trauma Informed Care trainings and webinars to stay current with up to date trends in
  intervention.

Salary: $20.00 per hour, with eligibility to receive the following shit differentials:

• $4.00/hour when working any day of the week between 8pm-8am.
  
• $2.00/hour when working Friday between 5pm-8pm.
  
• $4.00/hour when working Saturday and Sunday from 8am-8pm.
  

Schedule:  Monday to Friday, 3pm to 11pm.

Requirements

What You Need:

• Commitment to supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Emotional maturity, flexibility, and attention to detail. 
• Physical ability to climb stairs and occasionally lift bulky items.
• A valid driver's license with a clean driving record (you may need to drive the agency's van to pick up donated items). 

Preferred: At least  one year of experience in crisis intervention or a related field. 

Benefits

What We Offer:

• A team that has your back. We work together to support survivors - and each other.
• Competitive benefits including employer-paid health insurance for individual coverage (discounted premiums for family coverage), vision and dental options, and a $1,500 employer-paid HSA contribution. 
  
• Paid time off you can actually use: 11 paid holidays, floating holidays, and up to 112 hours of vacation in your first year.
  
• Opportunities for growth and impact. This isn't just a job - it's a calling. We provide regular training opportunities on a variety of crisis-centered topics. 
  

** Important Note: Our emergency helpline is for survivors in crisis.  For application updates, please email thanna@sarc-maryland.org with your name and the job you applied for.

If you're ready to be a  steady, compassionate presence for survivors  and a  vital part of our mission , we'd love to hear from you. Join us in holding the line against abuse. 

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