Domestic Violence Advocate

Child and Family Services of Erie County, Inc. • Buffalo, NY

1d

About The Position

Child and Family Services (C+FS) Haven House supports survivors of domestic violence with tools and resources to stop the cycle of abuse and build a violence-free life. The Domestic Violence Advocate works in a variety of environments to provide immediate outreach, crisis intervention, safety planning, and referrals. Advocates may be based in police agencies, courts, CPS, or other non-traditional social work environments.

The role provides crisis and legal advocacy, connects clients with counseling and community resources, supports access to emergency safety resources, and follows up on connections with agencies and the criminal or civil justice system. The Advocate also maintains case records and reports, participates in meetings, training, supervision, and quality improvement, and may provide shelter coverage and outreach visits.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW) or equivalent education and experience, with at least two years of paid professional experience.
• NYS driver's license and continued automobile insurance.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual Spanish-English skills.
• Professional domestic violence experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide telephone and in-person crisis intervention, risk assessment, safety planning, counseling, and referrals to victims of domestic violence; this may require on-call availability.
• Provide information, referrals, and direct linkage to individual, group, and family counseling and community resources, focusing on self-sufficiency and basic needs; process applications for emergency cell phones and home alarms.
• Provide follow-up services to support linkage with appropriate agencies and follow-through with the criminal and/or civil justice system.
• Provide legal advocacy and/or court accompaniment, including assistance preparing court documents, and collaborate with police and court personnel and other relevant parties.
• Assist victims with NYS OVS and/or CVB Claims Applications, including obtaining supporting documentation, and provide information to each client.
• Maintain current statistics, case notes, and summary reports, including reports for funding sources.
• Attend Haven House staff meetings, CAP team meetings, trainings, and regularly scheduled supervision.
• Provide occasional shelter coverage.
• Provide outreach visits for clients when necessary.
• Engage in staff development for continued professional growth.
• Model and practice sensitivity, fair treatment, and acceptance of diversity in interpersonal interactions.
• Participate in and contribute to the program Quality Improvement process.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Benefits

• Paid time off: 20 PTO days, increasing to 25 days after five years of employment.
• 14 paid holidays, including two flex holidays.
• Four paid bereavement days.
• Paid jury duty.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Medical insurance with two plan options.
• Dental insurance with two plan options.
• Vision insurance.
• Wellness program and incentives.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with quarterly employer contributions.
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Dependent Care FSA.
• Employee referral bonus.
• Qualifying employer for the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
• 403(b) available right away, with employer contributions after two years.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level