Bilingual VRP Counselor and Advocate

Description

Under the supervision of the Violence Recovery Program (VRP) Manager, the Bilingual Counselor/Advocate provides counseling and advocacy services in English and Spanish to victims/survivors of partner abuse/domestic violence, sexual assault, anti-LGBTQ hate violence and police misconduct -- with a specialized focus on serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer survivors. The Bilingual Counselor/Advocate will provide telehealth for the foreseeable future and will transition to include on-sight care in Boston as in-person VRP services resume. The Bilingual Counselor/Advocate also participates in telehealth group facilitation, coalition work and occasional presentations for other providers. 

Representative Duties:

Provides direct services to clients in Spanish and English

• Provides consultations with new clients, including screening and assessment of new cases
• Provides individual counseling for clients using established counseling procedures
• Provides mental health assessments for LGBTQ asylum seekers
• Recruits and screens applicants for support groups and facilitates these support groups using established counseling procedures
• Informs clients of rights, options, and available services during consultations or as soon as practicable
• Advocates for client needs with other providers and within the criminal justice system
• Assists clients in accessing social services, legal support, and housing authorities 
• Accompanies clients to court and/or police, as appropriate

Collaborates with victim services agencies and community organizations in support of survivor rights

• Represents VRP in coalitions such as Jane Doe Inc, NCAVP, and the LGBTQIA DSV Coalition 
• Develops and maintains contacts in other assistance agencies; maintains updated referral lists

Engages in outreach and training/in-services to the community-at-large

• Conducts outreach to service providers and community organizations about VRP services
• Provides training and to community groups and professional organizations about LGBTQ survivors, particularly as they impact communities of color
• Participates in panels and interviews regarding the needs of LGBTQ survivors

Effectively carries out activities related to VRP’s provision of services to clients

• Prepares reports, statistics and documentation of direct services, as directed
• Participates in VRP team meetings, interdisciplinary department meetings and other staff meetings, as directed
• Attends supervision sessions as scheduled and uses supervision appropriately to receive support and feedback related to ongoing cases and administrative responsibilities

Meets Agency Participatory Expectations

• Suggests and participates in continuing quality improvement efforts
• Adheres to all agency and departmental policies and procedures
• Participates in quality assessment and improvement activities as requested
• Adheres to the highest principles of patient and client confidentiality
• Adheres to established safety policies, procedures and precautions; identifies potential or actual unsafe situations in the environment and takes measures to rectify the situation
• Attends all required meetings, in-services and professional trainings
• Attends all regularly scheduled staff trainings, forums and pertinent staff meetings
• Maintains professional competence necessary to perform job responsibilities; maintains and provides agency with records of continuing education activities
• Serves on agency committees and in professional organizations when requested

Performs other related duties as required

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology or related field
• Counseling/therapy experience
• Fluency in Spanish and English
• Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with colleagues, patients, clients and vendors across the spectrum of diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, national origin and immigrant status, religious or spiritual identity, disability (physical, mental, emotional and developmental), veteran status, and/or limited English proficiency.
• Willingness to contribute towards Fenway’s efforts in becoming an anti-racist organization and promoting a culture dedicated to ongoing development in service of humility, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, where differences are acknowledged and valued.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of, commitment to, and experience working with LGBTQ community
• Demonstrated knowledge of, commitment to, and/or experience addressing partner abuse/domestic violence, sexual violence, hate violence and police misconduct.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, commitment to and experience working with marginalized populations and communities of color, particularly Black and Latinx communities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking skills
• Knowledge of the legal and criminal justice systems and experience with advocacy  

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to meet the following physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodations:
• Sit at a computer station for extended periods of time
• Ability to keyboard for extended periods of time
• Ability to move self/walk short distances and transport self to outside appointments