Counselor Advocate

Domestic Violence Service Center•Wilkes-Barre, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Domestic Violence Service Center is seeking a full-time Counselor Advocate for day shift (7am - 3pm) with rotating overnight weekends. This is a non-exempt position. Counselor Advocates are responsible for providing safety, counseling, and other related services to Emergency Shelter and Bridge Housing clients, and crisis and supportive counseling services to Hotline victims of domestic violence. Job duties include client contact for the Domestic Violence Program, Bridge Housing Program, and Post-Residential Program.

Requirements

A minimum of an associate’s degree in child development or related field is required.
At least 1 year experience in social service provision, child development, and/or child care.
Must have the ability to maintain strict confidentiality at all times.
Clearances: PA Child Abuse Clearance, PA Criminal History Background Clearance, FBI Criminal Background Check.
A valid PA Driver’s license, access to a motor vehicle and adequate auto insurance.

Nice To Haves

A Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
Experience delivering effective learning activities will be an advantage.

Responsibilities

Delivers Emergency Shelter and Hotline services for Carbon and Luzerne Counties, i.e., crisis intervention, intake, supportive options counseling, safety planning, information and referral, advocacy with other community resources, referral to emergency shelter and transportation arrangements, if needed.
Facilitates regular house meetings and support groups for Shelter guests.
Schedules and conducts interviews to gather necessary information and review program requirements and guidelines with clients; checks references prior to intake acceptance.
Conducts in-person intake interviews with new residents and eases their adjustment to communal living by orienting them to the building and to house rules and residents’ guidelines.
Helps residents to set and achieve personal goals by providing information and referral to available resources and services. Assist clients in achieving their established goals.
Provides counseling & facilitates behavior on life-skills, social relationships and conflict resolution. Facilitates house meetings, house activities planning, house rules implementation, skill-building activities planning and implementation. Foster the enhancement of self-esteem and self-sufficiency through life skills counseling and education and encourage resident participation in skill building activities.
In addition to Domestic Violence and Bridge Housing Services, Counselor/Advocates who are assigned to work in the post-residential program provide home visits, case management, advocacy, support group services, etc., to women who are at particular risk of revictimization and/or homelessness.