Counselor Advocate

Position: Counselor Advocate, Queens-Manhattan Community Program

Department: Community Programs

Location(s): Manhattan, Queens

Reports To: Program Manager

Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Work Model: Hybrid

Compensation: $30.22/hour

# of Positions: 2

The Violence Intervention Program, Inc. (VIP) is the only culturally specific non-profit organization in New York City serving Latinx survivors of domestic and sexual violence, the vast majority of whom are immigrants. Founded as a grassroots response to intimate partner violence and sexual assault, VIP has consistently centered survivors in its leadership and fostered a staff community that reflects the rich national, ethnic, and racial diversity of the communities it serves. Today, VIP operates two community-based programs serving the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens; four housing programs, including two shelters, Rapid Re-Housing, and Home ; a bilingual helpline; and innovative programs focused on economic justice, sexual violence, restorative justice, and child and adolescent services.

The Counselor Advocate provides crisis intervention and self-empowerment counseling in both individual and group settings to survivors of gender-based violence. The role also delivers direct services, including holistic case assessment, case management, and advocacy across criminal legal, social welfare, housing, immigration, and other related systems.

Essential Functions:

• Conduct initial needs assessments on all clients and their children to identify needs and goals during the initial intake and reevaluate as necessary.
• Provide intensive case management services based on the program participant (s) needs/goals and service plan, including weekly (scheduled) case management sessions.
• Provide personal support for the families, including but not limited to translation and accompaniment services as it relates to public assistance and housing. School/education placement, health service, etc. Including assistance in the various unforeseen needs of the participant.
• Provide information and referrals; advocacy and accompaniment to participants throughout the legal, immigration, social, and human resources systems. This includes over the phone, in-person, and through written correspondence promptly.
• Assist participants with educational needs by advocating for tutoring services, school placement, parent/teacher/child involvement, and medical services.
• Stay abreast of changes in entitlements and benefit resources and systems for information and referrals, advocacy and accompaniment as to secure needed services.
• Maintain proper documentation (case notes, reports, and statistical information) on time for all clients.
• Develop service plans with measurable outcomes and services identified by the program and funding source in a timely fashion. Include accurate information about participants’ outcomes and services to inform their counseling plan.
• Consistently assess clients' safety to ensure their security and that of their children, as their situation may shift with changing conditions. Create a safety plan as needed.
• Provide crisis and promote self-esteem/motivation to participants, including identifying and providing referrals to outside therapeutic services as needed.
• Validate, support, and encourage strength-based counseling with a focus on personal wellness and independence as identified.
• Work with age-appropriate clients on an ongoing basis around the issues of conflict resolution, separation, diversity issues (including cultural, religious, and sexual orientation issues), etc.
• Provide interventions that promote positive relationships between clients, parents, their community, various institutions, and schools to enhance the positive development of clients.
• Facilitate weekly, monthly, and/or bi-monthly age-appropriate bi-lingual support groups.
• Provide counseling, case management, and collaborate with multi-disciplinary service providers and law enforcement weekly to provide wraparound services for walk-in clients at the Family Justice Center.
• Work collaboratively with staff and other service providers consistently to ensure the highest quality service delivery.
• Adhere to mandated reporting requirements relating to issues such as child abuse/neglect, suicide/homicide concerns, etc.
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled agency and program meetings including supervision sessions, trainings, case conferences, agency-wide staff meetings, team meetings, individual service plans, inter-disciplinary meetings, etc.
• Conduct community outreach and /or educational workshops as needed by the program.
• Report Language access issues as they occur to Associate or Senior Directors.
• Capacity building in all agency programs – each staff member will demonstrate competency by incorporating financial literacy in their responsibilities.
• Perform other tasks as required, including any related administrative duties as needed.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or relevant experience
• Fully Bilingual Required (English/Spanish – verbal and written).
• Must have advocacy and/or counseling experience in domestic violence, women and children’s issues, or related fields.
• Strong verbal and written communication and documenting skills.
• Must be well-organized, work independently and collectively, and maintain a flexible schedule.
• Must be knowledgeable in working with diverse communities, particularly Latinx, people of color, and low-income populations, and deliver culturally competent services.
• Must have the ability to operate office equipment such as computers, copy machines, fax machines, phone systems, etc., with strong internet and software skills, incl. Microsoft Office and client database.
• Must be able to exercise good judgment, compassion, and sensitivity at all times to provide trauma-informed care.
• Must ensure agency, program, and client confidentiality at all times.
• Must work well with a team and bring self-awareness and accountability to the workplace.
• Must be passionate about intersectional social justice issues impacting survivors of trauma.
• Willing to travel to Queens and Manhattan

Compensation & Benefits

• Full-time, non-exempt position, working 35 hours per week with a pay rate of $55,000/year.
• We cover 85% of the cost of medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee and dependents.
•  Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Accounts available.
• Unlimited Paid Time Off program, 12 paid holidays, a mid-year and end-of-year office closure.
• Summer Friday schedule (optional)
• Commuter benefits (Mass Transit & Parking)
• 403b retirement plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Disability & Life Insurance

Salary : $55,000