DV Advocate

Description

Position Summary:

The DV Advocate provides trauma-informed emotional and practical support, information, advocacy, and court accompaniment to survivors of domestic violence, including assistance with personal protection order, civil and criminal hearings, and legal referrals. The Advocate is not a lawyer and does not give legal advice.  

Duties And Responsibilities:

• Work with clients by phone, remote and in-person meetings.
• Provide direct service to domestic violence survivors needing advocacy.
• Provide information about housing, employment, personal protection order, family court, criminal court, crime victim assistance, immigration remedies and legal procedures.
• Provide information and referrals for community resources.
• Assist clients in safety planning, identifying options, housing search, and problem-solving. 
• Assist clients in filling out personal protection order paperwork, filing, and attending court hearings.
• Accompany clients to family court hearings and other hearings as required.
• Support and inform system advocacy efforts as directed by supervisor.
• Keep supervisor informed of high-risk situations in work with clients.
• Provide direct service training, supervision, and consultation with relief staff, interns, and volunteers as assigned.
• Participate Crisis Line back-up rotation as assigned.
• Participate in on-call rotation.
• Follows all VOCA grant goals, objectives and outcomes.
• Completes all VOCA required electronic reports within seven (7) days of calendar month end.
• Attend trainings and continuing education activities as assigned.
• Active participation in weekly team meetings about client needs, scheduling, and other team issues.  
• Must be able to maintain professional boundaries.
• Attend agency staff meetings as required.
• Provide community education and psychoeducation skills courses as assigned by supervisor.  
• Provide professional training to groups such as law enforcement and other partner agencies.
• Adhere to agency policies and work rules, including but not limited to confidentiality and code of ethics.  
• Serves as liaison with law enforcement agencies, Berrien County Court, Prosecutors office and other outside agencies, if victim consents by signing a specific and time limited release of information.
• Participates in and facilitates the Domestic Violence Task Force to complete implementation of Domestic Violence Protocol. 
• Responsible for special projects such as development of training programs and presentations to law enforcement agencies, community agencies and community groups to inform about domestic violence problems and how to deal with them.
• Provides backup to Empowerment Center Residential Case Manager and Empowerment Center Therapist. 
• Participates in Awareness and Fundraising events as assigned.
• Will obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certification.
• Will attend New Service Provider Training.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Have empathy and passion for working with victims of domestic violence. 
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Must possess good organizational skills.
• Must possess strong cultural competence and value all survivors regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, class, language or religion.
• Must possess ability to be flexible and adaptable to change
• Ability to speak publicly and to present information on Domestic Violence to diverse people and organizations. 
• Ability to respond supportively to persons in crisis and assemble relevant facts
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and other PC skills as deemed necessary to position.
• Must have knowledge of and interest in women’s issues; particularly the dynamics of domestic violence and stalking. 

Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, social work, or related human services field preferred. Relevant work experience will be considered. 
• One year experience with direct client service preferred.

Requirements

To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability, it is necessary to specify the physical, mental and environmental conditions of the Essential Duties of the job. Use these codes to complete this section “F" for frequently; "O" for occasionally; "N" for not at all.

PHYSICAL

On the job, the employee must:

( F ) Bend

( F ) Sit

( O ) Squat

( F ) Stand

( O) Crawl

( F ) Walk

( F ) Climb

( F ) Push/Pull

( O ) Kneel

( F ) Handle objects (manual dexterity)

( O ) Reach above 

shoulder level

( F ) Use fine finger movements

( ) Other _________________

Must carry/lift loads of

( F ) Light (up to 25lbs)

( O ) Moderate (25-50lbs)

( O ) Heavy (over 50lbs) 

MENTAL

On the job, the employee must be able to:

( F ) Read/comprehend

( F ) Write

( F ) Perform calculations

( F ) Communicate orally

( F ) Reason and analyze

( ) Other

ENVIRONMENTAL

On the job, the employee:

( O ) Is exposed to excessive noise

( O ) Is around moving machinery

( O ) Is exposed to marked changes in temperature and/or humidity

( O ) Is exposed to dust, fumes, gases, radiation, microwave

( O ) Drives motorized equipment

( O ) Works in confined quarters

( ) Other: