Open Positions

Community Housing Navigator- AWARE

[updated: 09/17/2024]

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• • Assist with applications for housing assistance. Ensure that applications are complete, presentable, and give the potential resident the maximum chance of securing housing.
  • Ensure confidentiality and trauma-informed protocols specific to AWARE are maintained throughout the housing process.
  • Collaborate with other agencies, Bartlett Regional Hospital, Lemon Creek Correctional Center, etc, to ensure community-wide navigation is available to persons experiencing houselessness.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with landlords and landlord representatives and mediate communication with participant tenants.
  • Assist with all documents necessary for obtaining and remaining in housing, such as IDs, income verification, and other relevant documents.
  • Assist people with initial and ongoing rental subsidy related paperwork.
  • Assist with case management, refer participants to local resources and assist in the coordination of medical and social services.
  • Act as an active link between those experiencing homelessness and the professional service agencies and healthcare providers in Juneau.
  • Assist with the physical process of moving people into housing and continue the support to ensure the best chance for long term housing success.
  • Following housing placement, maintain communication and support with participants to enable long-term stability, retention of resources, and focus on individual goals.
  • Assist people to remain housed by mediating tenant/landlord issues and other disputes, as well as working with tenants on necessary modification in order to facilitate stable housing and prevent eviction.

   OTHER DUTIES:

  • Meet regularly for supervision.
  • Attend meetings and staff trainings.
  • Report cases of suspected abuse or neglect of children or vulnerable adults to the Alaska Office of Children’s Services or Adult Protective Services, and the Juneau Police Department as required.
  • Comply with AWARE Personnel and Administrative Policies.
  • This position is a part of the Community Navigator Team. In addition to AWARE, there are navigator positions in Juneau Housing First Collaborative/The Glory Hall, and St. Vincent’s de Paul. This position is responsible to work with the other Community Navigators to ensure that services are delivered collaboratively throughout the community.
  • All Navigators will meet weekly and will attend the Bartlett Regional Hospital Case Management meetings weekly to ensure that work is conducted collaboratively and resources utilized efficiently.

   MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Must pass AWARE background check.
  • Must have high school diploma/GED.
  • Bachelor’s Degree preferred, or related experience working with survivors of domestic violence/sexual assault or homelessness
  • Must have or acquire CPR and First Aid Certification.
  • Must have valid AK Driver’s License.
  • Must maintain confidentiality.
  • Must support AWARE’s Mission and Vision.

   KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • A thorough understanding of domestic violence, sexual assault and the needs of victims, or the willingness to learn.
  • The ability to understand and communicate with people of different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
  • A profound respect and compassion for all people.
  • An understanding of oppression, houselessness, substance abuse, and illness.
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team.
  • Ability to use relevant technology and software including Microsoft Office-word, excel, and other applicable programs.
  • Must have ability to occasionally work outside of regular business hours including for participants at the winter-time warming shelter.
  • Exhibit professional behavior including the ability to offer safety by upholding good boundaries
  • Ability to utilize trauma informed approach.

SALARY AND HOURS:

$23.76/hr DOE; 24-30 hrs/wk

Monday-Friday primarily, occasional evening/weekends; benefits include health insurance, retirement, wellness, etc.

APPLY: send resume and cover letter to jobs@awareak.org

On-Site Cordova Housing Specialist

[updated: 09/17/2024]

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• • Facilities:  Reside at AWARE’s Cordova Apartments facility to provide on-site emergency response and maintenance.

    • Address immediate physical safety/ medical emergencies on-site, contact and coordinate appropriate emergency resources (EMS/law enforcement).
    • Follow up on emergencies or violations with AWARE staff, including Manager on Call as necessary or following day with supervisor.
    • Perform general upkeep and routine maintenance/repairs, including but not limited to: keep camera batteries charged/changed, ensure stairs/walks are passable.
    • Report urgent repair issues immediately to AWARE office staff or Manager on Call.
    • Report non-urgent repair issues to AWARE office staff.
    • When scheduled, coordinate unit access with tenants for utility and maintenance workers and other professionals.
    • Perform “turn-over” cleaning and routine maintenance/repairs within 3 days of vacancy to ensure unit meets standard for new tenant.
    • Maintain clear communication and ensure relationships with tenants and neighbors align with professional ethical and confidentiality standards. Use of drugs/alcohol with, or in the presence of, other tenants is strictly prohibited.
    • Refer any requests, except for maintenance/emergency needs, to Cordova staff/supervisor at AWARE.
    • Provide weekly summary to AWARE Cordova staff/supervisor of any issues the prior week.
    • Use professional means of communication with tenants; avoid using personal contacts including personal email or cell phone use.

• Other Tasks:

  • Meet with housing team/supervisor for support as needed.
  • Report hours worked using time-keeping system on scheduled basis.
  • Report cases of suspected abuse or neglect of children or vulnerable adults to the Alaska Office of Children’s Services or Adult Protective Services, and the Juneau Police Department as required.
  • Comply with AWARE Personnel and Administrative Policies.

   Minimum Qualifications:

  • Must pass AWARE background check.
  • Must have valid AK driver’s license.
  • Must have high school diploma/GED.
  • Must have or acquire CPR and First Aid Certification.

   Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Must have the ability to remain objective and to perform under stressful conditions.
  • Must have the ability to understand and communicate with people of different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
  • Must maintain confidentiality.
  • Must support AWARE’s Mission and Vision.

SALARY AND HOURS: 

• Provision of rent-free housing at Cordova St.
• 5-10 hrs weekly at $15/hr; not to exceed 10hrs/week.

APPLY: send resume and cover letter to jobs@awareak.org

Children’s Advocate

[updated: 7/5/2024]

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• • Provide child advocacy emphasizing the whole child, developing self- esteem, communication skills, problem solving techniques, and appropriate expression of feelings.
  • Facilitate or co-facilitate weekly Children’s Life Skills and creative play groups with focus on communication, socialization, and decision making skills.
  • Work with parents to develop and support parenting and enhance parenting skills.
  • Provide ongoing support and visits for children and families who exit AWARE’s emergency safe shelter.
  • Provide various activities and childcare to children, which afford the opportunity to participate in fine and gross motor play.
  • Apply teachable moments throughout the day, providing child residents with information on body awareness, personal boundaries, safe and unsafe touch, assertiveness skills, awareness of feelings/expressing them appropriately, self-esteem, anger and problem solving, domestic violence, keeping safe at home/support systems, chemical dependency, family, separation and divorce.
  • Model and teach positive parenting techniques to parents, staff and volunteers.
  • Monitor and care for children while their parents attend groups or need care for their children.
  • Assist parents in parenting through positive role modeling, individual advocacy and referrals to community resources.
  • Support and work in partnership with volunteers working in the children’s program.
  • Support shelter advocacy shift staff as needed.
  • Perform record keeping activities associated with program participant contact, or as required for data collection or intra-staff communication.
  • Outreach to the community re: AWARE children’s services, as needed.
  • Provide education emphasizing the whole child, developing self-esteem, communication skills, problem solving techniques, and appropriate expression of feelings.
  • Ensure shelter child designated areas are clean and organized and address any community living issues.
  • Ensure children’s issues are addressed as needed in advocacy meetings.
  • Represent AWARE at community meetings/events as needed.
  • Represent AWARE with Juneau schools in providing personal safety education/support as needed and requested by supervisor.
  • Utilize expertise to support skill development for all advocates/staff.
  • Meet regularly with your supervisor for supervision and support.

  Other Staff Tasks:

  • Provide advocacy, answer care lines, and assist with program participant service delivery when necessary and as needed.
  • Provide program participants with basic information on DV/SA including: dynamics of abuse, sexual assault, substance use disorders, lethality and safety planning.
  • Attend advocacy and staff meetings and staff training as scheduled.
  • Report cases of suspected abuse or neglect of children or vulnerable adults to the Alaska Office of Children’s Services and/or law enforcement, and Adult Protective Services, as required
  • Comply with AWARE Personnel and Administrative Policies.
  • Assist in the training of new relief, permanent or volunteer advocates as requested.
  • Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must pass AWARE background check.
• Degree in social work, child development, or related field is preferred.
• Must have or acquire CPR and First Aid Certification.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must possess a working knowledge of child development.
• Experience working with parents in crisis and parenting issues preferred.
• Must possess a thorough understanding of domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual assault and the needs of child victims, and be an enthusiastic practitioner of trauma-informed care, or a willingness to deepen current understanding.
• Must have the ability to remain objective and to perform under stressful conditions.
• Must have the ability to understand and communicate with people of different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
• Must maintain confidentiality.
• Must support AWARE’s philosophy: A commitment to providing options and alternatives to survivors of gender based violence and child abuse.

SALARY:  $23.76/hour DOE; full-time benefited position starting September 2024

APPLY: send resume and cover letter to jobs@awareak.org

Relief Shelter Advocate

[updated: 5/8/2024]

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• • Demonstrate familiarity with AWARE’s helping values and practices.
  • Have working knowledge of DV/SA including: dynamics of battering, sexual assault, chemical dependency, lethality and safety planning.
  • Be able to quickly assess and respond to crisis/emergency situation or person. Be able to use de-escalation strategies such as isolation. Work with lead advocate and/or director to ensure appropriate response including request Law Enforcement assistance and be able to provide critical information to Law Enforcement. Follow all directives pertaining to the situation including notifying the shelter supervisor.
  • Practice positive role modeling that promotes strengthening/supporting parent-child relationship in ES. Support parent to ensure children are able to comply with safety and confidentiality for all ES residents/participants.
  • Complete assessment to determine participant’s immediate safety needs and assist with developing a response to the safety issues.
  • Provide trauma-informed victim advocacy, this includes: crisis intervention, answer 24-hour Crisis Line, assist with service delivery.
  • Be able to provide victim services to individual with active substance misuse and/or mental health crisis.
  • Screen participants for admittance to the shelter and complete ES program enrollment as appropriate. Provide new residents with an orientation to ES. Refer all individuals not meeting our admittance criteria to the proper community agency.
  • Perform security checks of the shelter facility at least once each shift. Report security/ safety issues to manager.
  • Provide a verbal account of shift activities at shift change, this includes security alert and maintenance issues. Ensure all required record-keeping duties are completed prior to end of shift.
  • Perform general administrative functions such as log communication with participants and other record keeping activities associated with program participant contact; or as required for data collection and inter staff communication.
  • Participate in the performance of other tasks essential to program and household operation and maintenance.

OTHER STAFF TASKS:

• • Request law enforcement officers to perform welfare checks on participants we suspect to be in immediate danger, as appropriate.
  • Report cases of suspected abuse or neglect of children or vulnerable adults to the Alaska Office of Children’s Services or Adult Protective Services, and the Juneau Police Department as required. ∙ Meet regularly with supervisor for supervision and support.
  • Required to attend a minimum of one advocacy meeting per month.
  • Required to work a minimum of one shift per month.
  • Attend a minimum of one all-staff training per year & meet continuing education requirements.
  • Comply with AWARE Personnel and Administrative Policies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• • Must pass AWARE background check.
  • Must have high school diploma/GED
  • Must have or acquire CPR and First Aid Certifications.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• • Must have a thorough understanding of domestic violence, sexual assault and the needs of victims or the willingness to learn and listen.
  • Must have the ability to remain calm and objective and to perform under stressful conditions.
  • Must have the ability to understand and communicate with people of different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
  • Must have basic computer skills or the ability to learn.
  • Must maintain confidentiality.
  • Must support AWARE’s mission and philosophy

SALARY:  $21.38/hour DOE; schedule as needed

APPLY: send resume and cover letter to jobs@awareak.org

Shelter Advocate

[updated: 5/7/2024]

Shelter advocates are responsible for 24/7 coverage of our emergency safe shelter. Together, they form a strong team who work together to ensure continuation of services for our residents through all shifts. Shelter advocates perform shift work, are responsible for responding to crisis calls, working with folks on safety plans, completing intakes and assessing needs of individual residents. Shelter advocates work with survivors to help participants meet identified needs, both internal to AWARE and externally in work with community partners. Shelter advocates are responsible to each other; sharing information is critical in ensuring clarity and ease for our participants, who are often experiencing great difficulties.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• • • Maintain positive relationships with community partners, including collaborative work on accommodating eligible referrals.
    • Agreement with and adherence to AWARE’s foundational practices of service and welcome for survivors. This includes our “screen in, not out” practice as well as non-discrimination for any survivor in a protected class and/or experiencing behavioral health issues.
    • Acquire basic knowledge of DV/SA-related criminal and civil laws, rights of victims etc. and be able to communicate that information to participants. Provide referrals for participants seeking civil/criminal legal assistance.
    • Acquire basic knowledge of common mental health issues and substance use disorders, and be able to communicate that information to participants. Provide referrals for participants seeking more intensive behavioral health assistance.
    • Demonstrate trauma-informed service readiness, including recognition of common trauma responses and their presentation (behaviors, words, tone of voice, etc.), and respond appropriately.
    • Recognize emergencies and act to ensure participant and staff safety. Use de-escalation techniques to defuse tense situations. If needed, request law enforcement assistance and be able to provide critical information to law enforcement. Ensure notification of the manager on call and documentation for staff.
    • Demonstrate an ability to self-regulate and an awareness of internal reactions to trauma. Practice regular self and community care to mitigate secondary trauma.
    • Complete assessment of participant’s safety needs that includes immediate as well as long-term risk factors in order to develop a comprehensive safety plan. Provide follow-up as requested. This includes safety checks with survivors/partners of men participating in JCAP.
    • Coordinate with AWARE legal team to ensure participants receive wrap around legal services. Be able to provide safety planning that addresses issues around petitioning/granting/serving of a protection order, as well as the violations of the PO. On an emergency basis, assist participants in the preparation of the protection order petition, accompany the participant as requested, and refer to legal advocate for long term preparation.
    • Provide assistance/accompaniment for families working with the Office of Children’s Services. Prioritize referrals from OCS for safety planning and trauma-informed interventions.
    • Coordinate with Children’s Program staff to ensure wrap around services are provided to parents and children accessing AWARE services.
    • Assist in the training of new relief, permanent or volunteer advocates on policies and procedures as requested.
    • Understand and practice safety-planning around current and historic incidents of sexual assault.
    • Facilitate shelter upkeep and hygiene, including room checks and regular maintenance of common spaces. Provide motivational support to residents to increase willingness and completion of communal chores.
    • Perform specialized administrative functions and record-keeping activities associated with tracking participant services or as required for data collection and inter-staff communication.
    • Provide appropriate referrals, and necessary supports to the participant in order to connect with community partner agencies.
    • Assist participant with applications for housing, benefits, social services, etc.
    • Maintain clear and direct communication in client files and with advocacy staff as to status of referrals, supports, applications, etc., to ensure follow-through and successful teamwork.
    • Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

OTHER STAFF TASKS:

• • • Meet regularly with supervisor for supervision and support.
    • Attend meetings and staff trainings.
    • Report cases of suspected abuse or neglect of children or vulnerable adults to the AK Office of Children’s Services or Adult Protective Services, and law enforcement as required.
    • Comply with AWARE Personnel and Administrative Policies

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• • • Must have or acquire CPR and First Aid Certification.
    • Must pass an AWARE background check.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• • • Must have a thorough understanding of domestic violence, sexual assault and the needs of victims or the willingness to learn. 
    • Must have excellent written communication skills.
    • Must have the ability to remain objective and kind under stressful conditions.
    • Must have the ability to represent AWARE professionally with community partners.
    • Must have the ability to understand and communicate with people of different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
    • Must maintain confidentiality.
    • Must support AWARE’s mission and philosophy

SALARY AND HOUR: $23.76/hour DOE plus benefits, 40 hours per week

APPLY: send resume and cover letter to jobs@awareak.org

* AWARE provides equal employment opportunity and provides services for all qualified persons, and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national ancestry, age, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or disability status. AWARE promotes the full realization of equal employment and service provision through a positive and continuing effort.