Domestic Violence Program Advocate

Position: Advocate-Domestic Violence Program                                     Reports to: DV Program Coordinator

32-hour workweek-Lake FRC promotes work/life balance and the self-care of our staff. We have modified our work schedules to include a 3-day off model for staff to unwind and refresh.

SUMMARY:

Responds in-person and to calls from domestic violence victims and their families.  Provides emergency & planning assistance as necessary to persons recovering from domestic violence. Provides peer counseling and advocacy services as necessary to assist person recovering from domestic violence.  Works in the Domestic Violence Shelter.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide Crisis Intervention Services.


• Provide coverage on rotating basis for Community Crisis Line during off hours and on the weekends.


• Provide coverage for 24-hour community crisis line during office hours.


• Provide emergency one-on-one domestic violence peer counseling to those referred.  To refer people recovering to therapeutic services as needed.


• Respond to hospitals and law enforcement agencies in assisting victims during office hours.


• Coordinate crisis line volunteers and activities as assigned.


• Assist in the updating and distribution of community resource lists.


• Prepare and give presentations to community groups about program services.


• Provide short term one on one counseling, follow-up case management, and advocacy to domestic violence victims and their immediate families.


• Provide and participate in group facilitation.


• Participate in trainings and collaboration with referral agencies.


• Provide support groups for victims of domestic violence in other agencies as requested.


• Provide accurate documentation, data collection, completion of reports, and forms.


• Other duties as assigned.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education and/or experience providing culturally competent relevant, sensitive counseling, education, and information to target population.  Experience with rape crisis and domestic violence victims preferred.  State Mandated 65-Hour Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Counselor Certificate qualification required (offered by LFRC).  Bi-cultural and bi-lingual sensitivity (Spanish) an advantage. 

• Strong oral and written communication skills


• Assessment of client needs and formulation of a plan of action, case conference with support programs and therapeutic staff


• Good understanding of community services available


• Relate to law enforcement and court official in a professional manner


• Sound judgment in problem solving


• Work efficiently and independently


• Good crisis intervention skills


• Familiarity with computer software programs such as; Microsoft Word, etc.


• Relate well with people in non-judgmental and caring manner


• Good organizational skills


• Dependability


• Responsible team member


• Mandated reporter of suspected abuse


• Automobile and valid CA Driver’s License and vehicle insurance

PHSYCIAL 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 to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel object, tools, or controls; and to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel and crouch.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; crawl; and taste or smell.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  The employee frequently lifts and/or moves up to 20 pounds, and occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 40 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of thier job. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually mild to moderate.

Benefits for full time (32 hours) employees include: 

                              Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance/403b Retirement

                              2 weeks of paid time off plus 13 paid holidays

                              12 days of sick leave accrual

Lake Family Resource Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer