Advocate for Survivors of Domestic Violence

Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center•Santa Cruz, CA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Advocate for Survivors of Domestic Violence works in the Advocacy & Prevention Department, which includes Services for Children & Youth and Services for Survivors of Domestic Violence. Reporting to the Director of Advocacy & Prevention, the Advocate supports the implementation of domestic violence services, including a 24-hour hotline, individual peer counseling, support groups, legal advocacy, court accompaniment, emergency interim accommodations and transportation, community education, youth violence prevention workshops, and counseling for children of survivors and child survivors. This is an onsite, in-person position at Walnut Avenue and CCJC in Santa Cruz County. It is full-time at 36 hours per week, Monday through Friday, and is non-exempt. The hourly pay range is $23.00–$28.00, depending on experience; most candidates hired typically fall between $23.00 and $26.00 per hour, depending on experience, qualifications, and internal equity. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. The Advocate provides crisis intervention and legal advocacy to survivors and their children, assesses participant needs during scheduled drop-in hours, and provides direct support in person and by phone. The role uses a strength-based, trauma-informed approach to help improve participants’ emotional, physical, and economic well-being, while supporting program accountability, development, and community awareness. The position also involves maintaining participant records, collaborating with community partners and colleagues, and supporting volunteers and coworkers. The benefits package includes dental, vision, medical, and life insurance, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and the option to enroll in a retirement plan, Flexible Spending Plan (FSA), and Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA). Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Requirements

Experience working with survivors of domestic violence.
Current Class C driver’s license; comfort driving agency vehicles regularly and transporting program participants. Current license and proof of insurance are required upon hire and throughout employment.
40-hour state-certified Advocate for Survivors of Domestic Violence.
Knowledge of domestic violence and Santa Cruz County community resources.
Knowledge of the DVRO process and ability to accurately complete related paperwork.
Understanding of criminal and civil legal processes and procedures to support participants with court preparation for custody and child support hearings.
Ability to use a strength-based, trauma-informed approach to provide crisis intervention, peer counseling, information, and referrals addressing immediate and ongoing needs and goals.
Ability to assess, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, changing environment with minimal supervision.
Ability to exercise sound judgment independently when assessing, prioritizing, and resolving complex issues with limited information or guidance.
Commitment to serving participants facing multiple co-factors, including domestic violence, substance abuse, poverty, social oppression, houselessness, and the effects of racism, sexism, homophobia, and other marginalizing issues.
Knowledge of issues facing multicultural and multilingual communities.
Ability to maintain a helpful, proactive, non-judgmental, and friendly attitude that strengthens the participant-advocate relationship.
Competent computer skills, including basic Microsoft Office knowledge.
Fluent and articulate writing abilities.
Ability to work collaboratively and independently and represent the agency professionally through appropriate demeanor and attire.
Commitment to attend staff and department meetings and maintain a mutually respectful and supportive work environment.
Ability to maintain self-awareness and healthy boundaries, self-reflect on personal beliefs and actions, and practice a comprehensive self-care routine.
Flexibility regarding job roles and duties.
Ability to support and manage volunteers by creating a welcoming environment, setting clear expectations, maintaining healthy boundaries, and addressing performance issues.
Demonstrated understanding of the agency’s mission and values.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual Spanish/English proficiency.
Ability to translate program and agency materials into Spanish for bilingual staff.
Comfort with public speaking and/or presenting.

Responsibilities

Provide crisis intervention support and legal advocacy to survivors of domestic violence and their children, following the 14 standards outlined by the California Emergency Services (CalOES) grant.
Assess participant needs in person and by phone during scheduled weekly drop-in hours, in rotation with other staff.
Provide direct services and support to survivors in person and over the phone.
Implement and fulfill requirements of applicable funding sources.
Support survivors’ and their children’s emotional, physical, and economic well-being through education, skill building, and support using a strength-based approach.
Increase domestic violence awareness and education in Santa Cruz County to improve the community response to family violence.
Assist with program accountability, data collection, and evaluation.
Support development and growth of the domestic violence services program.
Develop and maintain relationships with community partners, participants, coworkers, supervisors, stakeholders, and the public.
Create and maintain participant files and enter data into the centralized system monthly.
Assist participants with DVRO paperwork as part of safety planning and support court preparation for custody and child support hearings.
Drive agency vehicles and provide transportation for program participants.
Support volunteers and coworkers using a strength-based model, including managing volunteers and addressing performance issues.
Complete special projects and other duties as assigned.