Employment

Cornerstone is a $5M agency with approximately 90 employees.  Our organization serves individuals impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking, with office locations in Bloomington, Minneapolis, and Brooklyn Center.

Cornerstone has developed one of the most comprehensive service continuums for victims of violence in Minnesota. Our services are designed to move individuals and families from crisis to safety, stabilization and security. Last year approximately 4,000 individuals accessed Cornerstone programming. In addition, through Cornerstone’s statewide Day One Crisis and Crime Victim Support lines, we provided services to over 20,000 persons via phone, text and chat. We are committed to providing opportunities for others to partner with us in this work and to convey, as a community, zero-tolerance for violence. 

Position Summary

The Part Time Emergency Services (ES) Advocate is responsible for providing advocacy, support and information to

The Emergency Services Advocate is responsible for providing advocacy, support, and information to victims/survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence and/or human trafficking/sexual exploitation accessing Cornerstone’s 24/7 shelter, hotel, crisis line and walk-in services. The Emergency Services Advocate utilizes trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and culturally responsive practices to provide supportive services for participants. The services are inclusive of safety planning, information regarding Cornerstone’s internal and community external resources, intakes and exit interviews, and advocacy support as assigned. This position is also responsible for maintaining a welcoming, safe, clean, accessible, and inclusive environment for persons and families we serve.

Advocate II:Minimum of bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or human service-related field and three or more years of experience providing direct crisis response services to individuals. Length of experience in a social service field may be considered in lieu of some educational requirements.

Advocate I:Minimum of bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in psychology, social work, or human service-related field and 0 – 3 years of experience providing direct crisis response services to individuals. Length of experience in a social service field may be considered in lieu of some educational requirements.

Hours/Schedule: This position will work a regular part-time schedule. The ES Advocate part-time staff must have the ability to work flexible hours which is inclusive of

holidays. Opportunities may be available to pick up additional shifts monthly.

Location: Bloomington, Minnesota

Salary: $17.31 – $20.29 per hour

Position Type: Part Time

Required Experience: Less than 2 years

Required Education: Associate Degree

Date Posted: September 1, 2021

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

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. Essential responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

24/7 Crisis Line (40%)

• Provides crisis line support and assess with victim/services what services they are currently seeking, providing information, safety planning and resources.
• Provides referrals through Cornerstone’s continuum of services when appropriate and/or utilize the Day One process, as necessary.
• Responds professionally to Law Enforcement Intervention contacts via email or over the phone and follows-up with the victim/survivor within an hour.
• Responds to victims/survivors who utilize the Cornerstone’s “Info” email system to contact us in collaboration with the Day One Call Center Advocates.
• Provides back-up assistance for the statewide Day One Crisis and General Crime phone lines, text, and chats as assigned.

24/7 In-Person Advocacy (40%)

• Maintains professional and confidential survivor-centered support, advocacy, information, and safety planning for victims/survivors.
• Welcomes new participants into the shelter/hotel by processing new intakes, informing them of available services, and providing guidelines for shelter living.
• Provides participants at exit, departure surveys, additional safety planning, and/or resources.
• Provides participants with emergency transportation, basic personal/household supplies, and food.
• Assists participants with accessing internal and external resources inclusive of transportation, basic needs, and interpreter services as requested.
• Assists participants with basic living skills such as cleaning, meal preparations, and caring for children.
• Assists Emergency Services (ES) Primary Advocates, as assigned, in providing advocacy, support, resources, and referrals for participants.
• Stays apprised of participants’ activities, policy changes and updates, and general information by reviewing ES log, newsletters, and CAS Connect/TEAMS staff pages.
• Utilizes available learning opportunities/tools during down time including readings, webinars, and other forms of materials to enhance learning and skills.
• Maintains a high-level working relationship with referral partners inclusive of the Day One Network agencies, law enforcement, medical personnel, and others. Works collaboratively across all internal programs at Cornerstone.
• Participates in the training and mentoring of new staff, volunteers and/or students as assigned.
• Assists walk-in participants with support, information, and referral as the need arises.
• Other duties as assigned.

Safety and Maintenance of Shelter Services (15%)

• Cleans units/sleeping areas after exit of a family utilizing the Cleaning, Safety and Maintenance Checklist.
• Washes and dries all house linens as needed.
• Maintains office files with updated and sufficient forms for intake and exit. Additional Overnight Responsibilities:
• Advocates providing coverage during the hours of 11:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. have additional duties and responsibilities:
• Conducts walk-throughs to ensure the agency and shelter are safe and secure during evening hours. Set alarm at beginning of shift and turn off at the end.
• Cleans advocate office by emptying trash, vacuum, and straightening materials on desks.
• Prepares food portions in the pantry.
• Checks refrigerators & freezer temperatures in pantry and record findings.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Assures data entry is completed accurately in Apricot database and other tracking methods.
• Properly documents all critical incidents: child protection reports, emergency response calls, and participant injury/cons.
• Completes other documentation as assigned by supervisor. 

Organizational Expectations

• Promotes Cornerstone Advocacy Service’s (CAS) mission & philosophy.
• Displays high ethical and professional standards.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through learning, training, and dialog.
• Attends supervision, staff meetings, and trainings as required.
• Participates in internal CAS committees and represents CAS on external committees based on interest/assignment and approval by supervisor.

Qualifications

• Ability to remain calm and survivor-centered with those experiencing crisis and trauma.
• Broad knowledge of resources and systems which interface with victims/survivors (v/s) of violence and the skills to work in both a team and individual setting.
• Understanding of trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and culturally responsive care practices comprehensive of the impact of domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking/sexual exploitation, and general crime on adults, children/youth, and the community.
• Understanding of the human services delivery system with an emphasis on serving diverse, marginalized and/or underrepresented communities.
• General understanding of crime victim’s rights, civil remedies, and the criminal justice systems with the understanding additional training will be provided.
• Ability in assessing, deescalating, and communicating in a calm, trauma-informed way with participants in crisis.
• Good written and interpersonal skills with the ability to work with v/s, concerned persons, and community partners in a friendly, cooperative, and professional manner.
• Enthusiasm for learning and commitment to enhancing skills through training, and coaching.
• Ability to work flexible and varied hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Preferred 40-hour sexual assault certification or the ability to complete training within 6 months.
• Knowledge and aptitude with Microsoft Office, client databases, and other related forms of technology.
• Valid driver’s license, automobile insurance and reliable vehicle (Valid Driver’s License and auto insurance must be on file with HR).
• Multilingual candidates preferred.

Education/Experience

Advocate II:Minimum of bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or human service-related field and three or more years of experience providing direct crisis response services to individuals. Length of experience in a social service field may be considered in lieu of some educational requirements.

Advocate I:Minimum of bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in psychology, social work, or human service-related field and 0 – 3 years of experience providing direct crisis response services to individuals. Length of experience in a social service field may be considered in lieu of some educational requirements.

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 and those who may be Deaf/Hard of Hearing, to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use manual dexterity for use of objects, tools or controls as well as visual acuity. The employee is required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. The employee should always request assistance if any object needs to be lifted and the employee feels that their capabilities are such that the specific item to be lifted is beyond the employee’s abilities. No employee should attempt to lift more than what is comfortable for them. If such a situation should arise the employee should notify their supervisor to find help with lifting any item regardless of weight if the object to be lifted is awkward or difficult to lift in any way. 

Additional Information

Cornerstone strives for a fully inclusive work environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, familial or marital status, and/or with regard to public assistance or any other characteristic. These statements are not intended to encompass all functions and qualifications of this position; rather, they are intended to provide a general framework of the requirements of the position. Cornerstone is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Cornerstone offers generous wages and excellent benefits.

How to Apply

Apply online by completing this employment application and uploading your resume and cover letter directly in this form.

You can also download Cornerstone’s employment application (PDF) and submit the completed application, resume and cover letter to Jobs@cornerstonemn.org with the job title in the email subject line. 

Only applications with a completed form, resume and cover letter will be reviewed.

No agencies; no walk-ins; and no phone calls please. The Jobs@cornerstonemn.org email is only for receiving resumes. No additional information is known about open positions. Qualified applicants will be contacted after resumes are reviewed.