Domestic Violence Advocate

Mission: Helping survivors of domestic violence heal and thrive in safe and supportive communities.

Job Title: Domestic Violence Advocate

Essential Employee: The person in this role is considered an essential employee and may be required to 
work on-site during a government declared state of emergency.

Hours: Full-time, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. Evening and weekend work when necessary. This position is 
hybrid-eligible and flexibility is required to attend to urgencies and emergencies as necessary. Hybrid-eligible is defined by organizational policy.

Reports to: Director of Intervention and Advocacy

Primary Objective: Provide comprehensive case management, emotional support and advocacy services 
to survivors of domestic violence, within an agency framework that is trauma-informed, strength-based, 
relational, and empowering. The Domestic Violence Advocate can expect to serve a caseload of 
survivors who hold racially- and culturally-diverse identities. The advocate will also plan and facilitate 
groups, coordinate services with community providers and identify resources needed to meet the 
complex needs of survivors and their families.

Reporting to the Director of Intervention and Advocacy, the Domestic Violence Advocate supports 
survivors of domestic violence living in the community, contributes to planning, implementation and 
evaluation of programs, and is responsible for other activities as assigned.

Primary duties include but are not limited to:
• Provide advocacy, case management, safety planning, psycho-education, referrals, and support
services to clients;
• Provide ongoing emotional and practical support to survivors within a trauma-informed
framework;
• Advocate on behalf of survivors with healthcare providers, housing/landlords, courts, legal
system, school systems, and other systems or agencies depending on their needs;
• Plan, lead, and co-facilitate psycho-educational and mutual aid support groups for survivors;
• Coach and support survivors in gaining the skills they need to meet their own, self-defined goals.
• Accompany survivors to appointments, legal/court hearings, and to other community
engagements when requested to support safety planning and to advocate for their needs.

Additional responsibilities include:
• Attend and actively participate in weekly team meetings and agency-wide staff meetings;
• Represent TSS at community events and forums;
• Assist other advocates and directors in planning, coordinating, and running survivor-centered
events;
• Work with other TSS staff to assess and address survivors’ needs/concerns;
• Participate in outreach and awareness efforts;
• Attend meetings or appointments that will assist in providing quality advocacy to survivors;
• Maintain accurate and timely records in database;
• Other duties as assigned.

Systems Advocacy Responsibilities
• Develop and maintain relationships with housing authorities, DTA and DCF offices, employment
agencies, medical, immigration, legal, substance use disorder and other community resources.
• Stay informed about changes in availability and eligibility requirements for housing subsidies,
welfare, and other benefits.
• Inform other programs and institutions about domestic violence and our programs.

Administrative/Supervisory Responsibilities
• Participate in volunteer/intern training and supervision as requested.
• Maintain records including service delivery, advocacy plans and other documentation in
accordance with confidentiality guidelines.
• Attend and participate in trainings, agency events, team meetings and staff meetings.

Qualifications:
At least 2 years of experience working with survivors of domestic violence and/or families experiencing 
homelessness and individuals in residential and/or community-based programs. Knowledge of trauma-informed practices and issues related to domestic violence, complex trauma, mental health, and 
addiction – with a particular emphasis on how these issues impact families – is essential. Knowledge of 
issues related to child development and parenting is also valuable. We consider and highly value
relevant life experience and employment background.

Additional qualifications include:
• Demonstrated experience in the field of domestic violence and/or trauma is required.
• Lived experience highly valued. Master's degree preferred.
• Strong advocacy, assessment and intervention skills desired.
• Strong crisis management, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and master new skills and materials.
• Ability to manage competing priorities simultaneously and precisely.
• Knowledge/experience with systems, including legal, courts, child protection services, and public
housing.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to work calmly under pressure.
• Cultural competence and cultural humility and/or willingness to learn. Committed to anti-racist
practices.
• Collaborative team player.
• Strong communication skills and proficiency with computers and technology.
• Advanced language proficiency (Bi-lingual English/Spanish) preferred. Proficiency in other
languages such as Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Vietnamese is a plus.
• Enthusiasm about working collaboratively and effectively in an environment that is linguistically
and culturally diverse.

• CORI (Criminal Offender Record Inquiry) check following the first interview

• SORI (Sexual Offender Record Inquiry) check following the first interview

• Ability to travel within Massachusetts; valid driver’s license preferred.

Physical Demands & Work Environment: The physical demands described here are representative of
those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions. Employee is required to operate a computer and telephone. Employee may be required to
help move small items up to 25 lbs.

Salary and benefits: Salary for this position starts at $58,000, commensurate with experience; 
additional compensation for language skills, or other qualifications. Benefits include 3 weeks paid 
vacation, 13 paid holidays, 2 personal days, ample sick time, agency contribution to health and dental 
insurance, agency hosted 403(b) plan, and eligibility for agency-sponsored student loan assistance 
program after 90 days of employment. 

Equal opportunity: The Second Step actively seeks cultural and linguistic diversity in all of its programs. 
The Second Step, Inc. is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. We are committed to 
creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, free from discrimination. The Second Step does not 
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy and parenting 
status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or 
genetic information. We encourage individuals from historically marginalized communities to apply.