Domestic Violence Advocate- Supporting Strong Families

ADVOCACY CENTER OF TOMPKINS COUNTY

Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Services

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Domestic Violence Advocate (full time)

Reports To: Adult Services Director

Main Function: The Domestic Violence Advocate will provide support, advocacy and case management services to domestic violence survivors, as well as to other agency clients. A focus area will be supporting young survivors ages 16-24 who are pregnant or parenting through our Supporting Strong Families (SSF) program in order to give them tools, skills and resources they need to reduce the occurrence/recurrence of abuse and violence in their lives. Services are provided individually, via groups, in person, by phone, on the hotline and virtually as per client need.

Please include Cover letter in your application process

Duties and Responsibilities of all Advocacy Center staff

Create welcoming, affirming, and safe work and client spaces by:

• Following agency procedures including those relating to safety, harassment, client confidentiality, mandated child abuse reporting, and building related problems;
• Performing office tasks such as answering the phone and door, cleaning, and responding to office needs;
• Regular attendance and meaningful use of staff, department, and supervision meetings, as well as other formal and informal means of communication to better agency culture, work relationships, and services.

Client Services

• Provide crisis intervention, support, information, referrals, safety planning and advocacy services including, but not limited to accompaniment to meetings and appointments, assisting victims with preparation of victim impact statements; emergency lock changes; accompaniment to file for Orders of Protection and other relevant petitions, assistance in reporting crimes if desired by the client and accompaniment to meetings with law enforcement and/or child protective services caseworkers; court or medical accompaniment.
• Complete SSF Registration Form and Protective Factors Instruments A and B with all SSF clients. Utilize PFI in ongoing work with clients.
• Facilitate support groups for SSF or other domestic violence survivors.
• Assist clients with completion and submission of Office of Victim Services crime victim compensation forms. Provide follow up to client regarding necessary documentation submission.
• Provide services to other agency clients (youth and adult sexual assault) when on call during the work day and as otherwise needed.
• Participate in shared daytime coverage of 24 hour hotline and client call response.
• Respond to calls on our 24 hour hotline after-hours (weeknights, weekends, and holidays); shared rotation with client services team. This includes responding in person to requests for forensic or post assault medical exam accompaniment or other hospital calls, shelter assessments, and law enforcement accompaniments.
• Attend sessions of the Integrated Domestic Violence Court as needed.
• Attend bi-monthly Domestic Violence Case Review team meetings.
• Perform duties as a mandated reporter of child abuse and neglect.

SSF Collaboration

• Enter data and supplemental information for SSF clients in state database on a monthly basis.
• Assist in providing quarterly and annual narrative information for SSF grant reporting requirements.
• Work with The Learning Web staff to develop programming and activities for SSF clients and to refer and accept referrals of youth for services.
• Regularly attend and represent the Advocacy Center at SSF collaboration meetings with DSS and The Learning Web.
• Maintain professional communications/working relationships with other service providers and agencies; meet with other providers as needed to promote SSF services.
• Attend annual SSF site visit with NYS OCFS program monitor.

Administrative

• Enter all client contacts, services and activities provided into the database in a timely manner.

Supervision

• Attend regular supervision meetings with the Adult Services Director.
• Participate in performance evaluations with the Adult Services Director.
• Inform supervisor of difficult, dangerous and unusual situations.

Additional Responsibilities

• Responsibilities and tasks outlined above are intended to describe the essential job functions and core requirements for the performance of this job. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements of this position. All staff are expected to perform other reasonable duties as requested by any agency supervisor and/or the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

• One year of counseling, advocacy or case management experience in a human services setting or equivalent experience.
• Ability to develop a positive compassionate rapport with victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
• Ability to provide clear and articulate written information for grant reporting purposes and detailed, accurate data entry.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team, with a willingness to appreciate. different points of view and problem solve in a constructive manner.
• Sensitive to the impact of sexual and domestic violence in diverse communities
• Commitment to social justice issues.
• Commitment to working from an anti-oppression, harm-reduction, and strengths based trauma-responsive approach.
• Good communication, organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks under stressful situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional working relationships.
• Flexible schedule - must be able to work some after-hours evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Must be able to respond in person to Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, NY within 45 minutes.
• Applicants must be able to navigate stairs, periods of sitting. Standing and movement required.
• Vehicle and valid driver's license is required.

Desired

• Experience working with older youth and young parents.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree and/or any combination of education, experience, and measurable past performance that demonstrates the capability to perform the duties of this position.
• Working knowledge of domestic violence, child sexual abuse, sexual assault and community & legal systems.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.00 - $23.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Please explain briefly, why you have an interest in this job and describe how you believe yourself to be a good fit for this position

Work Location: In person

Salary : $21 - $23