Economic Empowerment Advocate

Job Overview

The Economic Empowerment Advocate is responsible for the successful implementation of VOCA Funded Economic Empowerment Program, completing all required reports, and compiling monthly reports that track the number of survivors receiving services, and the type of services.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Has a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, service programs, and confidentiality and privilege  
• Educates survivors on their options. 
• Developing and implementing an economic empowerment program to include components such as: 
• Economic Empowerment curricula adaptation and delivery
• Financial literacy
• Economic advocacy
• Earned Income Tax Credits awareness
• Microloans, micro enterprises, or matched savings/Individual Developmental accounts programs.
• Assisting survivors of domestic violence with identifying and securing affordable housing. Assists with relocation/victim compensation where appropriate. 
• Assisting survivors of domestic violence with identifying and attaining their employment goals. 
• Collaborating with community agencies including, but not limited to: local literacy programs, career centers, Job Links, Dress for Success programs and local libraries 
• Conducting extensive outreach in the community so that in addition to survivors gaining economic empowerment services via center services they are already receiving, survivors will be connected with local literacy programs, GED programs, English as a Second Language programs and other identified referral sources. 
• Participating in the Department of Children and Families-Domestic Violence Program (DCF DVP)-led program evaluation of the project. 
• Participating in DCF-DVP sponsored events, trainings, technical assistance, learning exchanges, conference calls and webinars.
• Attends agency meetings and all other meetings as assigned
• Service management and documentation meets the Department of Children and Families Domestic Violence Program standards
• Records and compiles statistical data and submits reports at the end of each month as required by both The Spring and DCF DVP
• Records and compiles data and submits reports at the end of each quarter 
• Facilitates onsite training topics relevant to the Economic Justice Project.  

Occasional duties or projects which may be performed at irregular intervals:

• Conference calls facilitated by DCF DVP
• Crisis counseling and referrals to survivors
• Community presentations
• Data collection 
• Other related duties as assigned

Accountability: Areas in which the position is accountable/responsible:

• Participant Service: Maintains participant satisfaction and quality of services. 
• Records: Ensures participant files are kept up to date professionally and within agency standards. 
• Safety: Assists in maintaining participant safety.
• Budgets: Maintains expenditures to ensure they are within the department’s budget.

Supervision Responsibility:

• None

Business-Related Contacts:

• Collaboration and outreach to related agencies.

Prohibited Functions:

• Does not respond to requests from the media
• Does not provide any service which could be interpreted as practicing law

Education/Training/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field preferred, with a minimum of two (2) years of experience in the field of domestic violence. Comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and victim issues. Can function calmly in a crisis atmosphere. Must be able to function independently while working cooperatively as a member of a team. Must have knowledge of community resources and the ability to maintain a cordial working relationship with other agencies. Must be able to work with a culturally diverse community with sensitivity and professionalism.

Specialized or technical educational requirements:

• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Must be computer proficient in a Windows environment.

Certification or Licensing Requirements:

• DCF DVP Competency-Based Core training and additional 6 hours (30 hrs total) to qualify for privilege status.
• Valid Florida Driver’s License, active automobile insurance, and an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report. Must have 2 years driving experience. 
• Must be able to pass and maintain screening and clearance by FDLE and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
• Must be eligible to be sworn as a Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to hear, talk, stand, sit, walk, use hands and reach. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• 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.

Work Environment:

• The work environment is normally that of an office atmosphere with a moderate noise level.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Remarks:

This position requires the following:

• Demonstrated maturity and good judgment
• Ability to handle crisis situations calmly and with expertise
• A self-starter and the ability to perform with a high degree of autonomy and as part of a team
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and decision making
• Excellent organizational, analytical and time management skills
• Excellent verbal and oral communication and presentation skills
• Knowledge of domestic violence and victim issues, including advocacy activities, statutes and impact on children
• Reliable transportation required

Behavior Expectations:

The expectation is that each team member demonstrates knowledge of our company culture code and works in a way that aligns with our 15 fundamental behaviors. Our Guiding Principles are at the beginning of our culture code guidebook, we are…

Survivor-Focused and Empowerment Based. The diverse voices of survivors inform the decisions we make. Survivors are encouraged to heal and move forward at the pace they set.

Collaborative. Collaboration with our community partners helps create better outcomes for survivors while also ensuring knowledge of the services we provide.

Diverse & Inclusive. Our team reflects the diversities of our community and the survivors we serve. We establish spaces and services that are supportive of all people.

A Great Place to Work. People love to work here. We develop the potential of our staff and support their growth as leaders in this work.

Honest & Ethical. We are transparent. We deliver on our promises. Each dollar we receive is used for its intended purpose and its greatest good.

A Safe Space. Safety leads each interaction with survivors.

Advocates. We tirelessly advocate for survivor safety, abuser accountability, and improving the overall system in our community.