Counselor / Advocate (Full Time)

Title: Counselor / Advocate (Full Time)

Department: Counseling

Work Week: 40 hours 7:00 am- 3:00 pm

Status: Nonexempt

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Job Summary: Will provide survivors of domestic violence with counseling, emotional support, referrals and assistance with obtaining transitional and/or permanent housing. Work with other agencies to support survivors with gaining financial literacy. .

Job Responsibilities:

1. Provides counseling which includes in-person intervention, emotional support, guidance, and counseling.
2. Provides follow-up counseling which includes in-person and telephone individual emotional support, empathetic listening, and guidance for other than crisis reaction after the victimization that is designed to meet the needs of victims.
3. Provides group treatment/support groups which include the coordination and provision of supportive group activities. This category includes self-help, peer, social support, drop-in groups, and groups in partnership with Open Hearth for financial literacy.
4. Provides assistance with gaining access to transitional and or permanent housing.
5. Provides information and referrals which includes in-person contact with victims to identify services offered and support available by sub-grant projects and other community agencies.
6. Provides emergency financial assistance which includes payment for taxis, food, transitional and permanent housing, clothing, and emergency safety measures.
7. Provides special services which include assistance with addressing the immediate practical problems created by the victimization. This also includes acting on behalf of the victim with other service providers, securing childcare for counseling or other appointments that pertain to securing housing.

REQUIRED TRAINING

• Attend DVCCC advocate training and other required trainings to for fill the job requirements.

TEAMWORK

• Document program participant information in the database system on a daily basis.
• Attends staff meetings, other required meetings, and in-service trainings.
• Participates in all agency-wide events: 40-hour advocate training; October awareness; volunteer recognition; various celebrations; fairs, etc.
• Assist with accomplishing agency-wide annual goals and objectives.
• Assist with keeping the facility clean and neat.
• Work collaboratively with social service agencies, hospitals, clinics, and other community resources to assist with external coordination of services for victim/survivors.
• Any and all duties assigned by the COO and/or CEO.

Skills and Qualifications

• Able to work under pressure and adhere to deadlines.
• Strong commitment to the mission and goals of DVCCC, professional work goals and personal development.
• Through knowledge and understanding of issues confronted by victims of abuse.
• Able to work with victims of domestic abuse and their children. Able to work with a diverse population.
• Knowledge of housing systems, and community agency support services available to victims of domestic violence.
• Ability to speak to program participants and various audiences.
• Ability to strategize issues related to domestic violence.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, and a variety of internal and external colleagues.

Physical Requirements:

Other Requirements

• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Products.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours to meet program needs and grantor accountability requirements.
• Adhere to all agency policies and procedures (attendance, work hours, paperwork, etc)
• Childcare, criminal and FBI clearances as required by the state and DVCCC.
• Bilingual a plus.

Environment and Conditions

The incumbent’s typical place of work is an office environment and thus will not be substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions

Disclaimer

The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.

Minimum Training and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Services or related field.
• Three years related experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.