Weekend Overnight Shelter Advocate

New Directions

JOB TITLE: Weekend Overnight Shelter Advocate 

REPORTS TO: Shelter and Housing Coordinator  

HOURS: 10pm-8am (Friday-Sunday) 

LOCATION: 212 North Main Street, Mount Vernon OH 43050 

CLASSIFICATION: Part-time, Non-Exempt (hourly)  

PURPOSE: The purpose of this position is to support the safety of all residents in shelter. The Weekend Overnight Shelter Advocate will assure that the shelter maintains its safe environment for all residents by being present, interacting with them, and serving as a resource to residents, as needed. The Weekend Overnight Shelter Advocate will provide basic support to residents. Once trained, the Weekend Overnight Shelter Advocate will be a part of answering hotline phone calls in the evening. Each client and all members of the client’s family, both related and not related, will be treated with respect and confidentiality will be always maintained by the person in this position. 

Principal Duties & Responsibilities 

• Engage with residents in healthy ways, maintaining professional boundaries at all times. Examples: playing games, watching movies, cooking, helping with homework. 
• Maintain communication with day staff by documenting interactions in agency determined process (via written communication or in agency database) 
• Encourage residents to maintain a clean living space 
• Complete walk throughs at the end of each shift and submit checklist 
• Participate in answering hotline phone calls and collecting data after hours ▪ Participate in scheduled meetings with supervisor 
• Attend regularly scheduled meetings with other Night/Weekend staff 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered advocacy to shelter residents throughout overnight hours 
• Answer the 24-hour crisis and support hotline, providing immediate support, safety planning, and resource connection 
• Respond to crisis calls as needed, including coordination with on-call staff and emergency services 
• Assist in preparing the living spaces for incoming residents 
• Ensure that the shelter remains safe for all residents 
• Communication with on-call staff, as needed 

Resident Engagement & Support 

• Provide supportive listening, grounding techniques, and emotional support throughout overnight hours 
• Recognize and respond to trauma responses that may intensify overnight (e.g., anxiety, nightmares, fear, isolation) 
• Support residents in accessing basic needs (food, comfort items, etc.) as appropriate 
• Encourage autonomy while offering consistent, reliable, and non-judgmental support Shelter Operations (Overnight) 
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and overall safety of shared shelter spaces throughout the shift 
• Clean, sanitize, and reset all common areas (kitchen, living spaces, bathrooms, shared rooms) to ensure readiness for the next day’s operations 
• Complete light housekeeping duties including dishes, trash removal, wiping surfaces, and restocking supplies 
• Prepare the shelter environment for daytime staff and residents by resetting shared spaces and identifying any maintenance or safety concerns 
• Monitor donations and supplies to ensure accessibility and organization aligned with resident needs

QUALIFICATIONS: Education & Experience: 

• Associate degree or bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, sociology, or a related field required. 
• Previous training and/or experience in domestic violence services recommended.

Skills: 

• Commitment to trauma-informed care, diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the ability to serve marginalized populations effectively. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, fostering collaboration with residents, staff, and community partners. 
• Proficiency in maintaining accurate and timely documentation 
• Ability to build rapport to promote a trusting and safe relationship with people seeking and utilizing services. 
• Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches, including vicarious trauma awareness. 

New Directions is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting diversity in its professional staff. Individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply. Candidates should also support New Directions’ commitment to serving underserved and at-risk populations, including male victims, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA, ethnic minorities, and persons who are limited English proficient, disabled, elderly and/or have mental health issues.  

To apply, please email your resume to Lorna Baily at lorna@newdirectionsshelter.org