Resource, Information, and Services Advocate

TO APPLY: 

· Submit thoughtful cover letter including why you  are interested and qualified for this position, resume, and salary  requirement to: [email protected] 

· Please write your name (Last, First) and Resource, Information, and Services Advocate in the subject line of your e-mail 

· Incomplete applications will not be accepted 

· No phone calls please 

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Resource, Information, and Services  Advocate is responsible for providing telephone support on Between  Friends’ hotline, performing community outreach activities, maintaining  agency resources, conducting intakes for Between Friends’ programs, and  coordinating the A Night Out program which provides survivors and their  children with hope and healing though special events in the community.  

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Program (75%) 

·  Receives, routes, and responds to calls from survivors of domestic  violence and others seeking support and assistance on the crisis hotline  

· Provides callers with information, emotional support, safety planning, and referrals 

· Screens, schedules, and enrolls potential clients into the Counseling & Support Services Program 

· Screens and refers potential clients to the Chicago and Rolling Meadows Court Advocacy Programs, including Legal Clinic  

· Trains and supports volunteers who provide coverage on the hotline 

·  Helps survivors of domestic violence to understand their rights and the  legal remedies available to them under Illinois Domestic Violence Act 

· Assists clients in filing for Crime Victim’s Compensation program 

·  Provides outreach to the community, including identifying and  developing partnerships with local organizations, especially in the  Latine community 

· Provides childcare, as needed 

·  Coordinates, schedules and/or facilitates special A Night Out events for  survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence and their children.  

· Collaborates with agency staff and clients to develop the annual series of A Night Out events 

· Recruits, screens, supervises, and elicits feedback from A Night Out Program volunteers, staff, and clients. 

·  Works collaboratively with partner organizations to train staff,  recruit survivors, and complete program enrollment to attend planned A  Night Out events.  

Administrative (20%) 

·  Maintains case and caller documentation and submits necessary  information to the Counseling & Support Services Manager, Court  Advocacy Manager, and Director of Survivor Services for statistical  reporting 

· Updates and maintains agency resource referral guide 

·  Works with the Counseling & Support Services Manager and the  counseling team to coordinate the counseling schedule to meet the needs  of the clients and the agency 

· Maintains Caseload List document for Counseling & Support Services Program 

· Creates new, and maintains existing, partnerships with partner organizations 

· Coordinates with partner and other organizations to schedule trainings for Counseling and/or Court Advocacy teams 

· Translates outreach and other materials for the Spanish speaking community (if fluent in Spanish) 

· Completes all required statistical reports 

· Enters data into the InfoNet database 

· Supports the development of policies/procedures relevant to A Night Out programming 

· Completes reporting on each A Night Out event 

·  Evaluates the A Night Out programming in collaboration with Counseling  & Support Services Manager by creating & tracking relevant  outcome measures, monitoring results, and implements program  improvements based on data collected 

· Completes Quarterly reporting surveys 

General (5%) 

· Participates in the on-call crisis line rotation as needed 

· Participates in a variety of coalitions and committees to form collaborative responses to domestic violence 

· Participates in agency events as needed or required 

· Provides services as determined by Board of Director’s policies 

SALARY: $44,000-48,500 dependent on experience and qualifications. 

BENEFITS: 

· Comprehensive benefits package (with some employee contributions) includes medical, dental and vision insurance 

· Full time employees are eligible for a 20 paid day sabbatical after completion of five years employment 

· 24 days of paid time off accrued during the first year, and 12 paid holidays

 ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY Between Friends envisions a community  without domestic violence where equality, safety, and justice exist for  all. Between Friends provides a safe, supportive and empowering  environment for individuals and families in crisis. Between Friends'  counselors and advocates empower individuals to make their own decisions  and choices, rather than making choices for them. To address domestic  violence as a community issue, Between Friends offers comprehensive  prevention programs to educate youth and adults about the dynamics of  healthy and unhealthy relationships and how to prevent domestic violence  before it begins.  To learn about our programs go to  www.betweenfriendschicago.org

QUALIFICATIONS Education, Certification, & Licenses: 

• 40-hour domestic violence training strongly preferred. Required for role and can be provided upon hire 
• Bachelor’s degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences field preferred 

Experience & Skills:

• Previous experience in domestic violence services or advocacy preferred 
• Previous experience in crisis intervention preferred 
• Strong organizational skills required 
• Computer and software knowledge: PC literate with experience in word processing required 

Languages:  

• Bilingual in Spanish is required 
• Must  be committed to Between Friends mission and values, practicing  intersectional equity in all facets of the work, and ending all forms of  abuse in relationships.