Domestic Violence Advocate

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

5h • Hybrid

About The Position

Child and Family Services (C+FS) Haven House equips survivors of domestic violence with tools and resources to stop the cycle of abuse, supporting them as they build a violence-free life and new legacy. Haven House is an integral part of the 150+ year legacy of our agency and helps fulfil our mission of nurturing a healthy and more equitable Western New York for the benefit of current and future generations. The Domestic Violence Advocate works in a variety of environments to provide immediate outreach, crisis intervention, safety planning and referrals for victims of domestic violence. Advocates may be located in police agencies, courts, CPS, or in other non-traditional social work environments.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW) or equivalent education and experience with at least two (2) years paid professional experience
• NYS driver's license and continued automobile insurance

Nice To Haves

• Bi-lingual skills (Spanish-English) preferred
• Professional domestic violence experience preferred

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, referral and direct linkage to individual, group and family counseling and other necessary community resources, with a focus on self-sufficiency and meeting basic needs; process applications for emergency cell phones and home alarms
• Provide follow-up services to assure linkage with appropriate agency and follow-through with criminal and/or civil justice system
• Provide legal advocacy and/or court accompaniment, including providing assistance in preparing court documents. Includes engaging in collaborative working relationship with police and court personnel, including the presiding judge, resource coordinator, assistant district attorney or any other relevant parties
• Assist victims with completing NYS OVS and/or CVB Claims Applications, including obtaining supporting documentation; provide information to each client
• Maintain up-to-date statistics, case notes and summary reports as required, including reports for funding sources
• Attend Haven House staff meetings, CAP team meetings, trainings and regularly scheduled supervision
• Provide occasional coverage in the shelter
• Provide outreach visits for clients, when necessary
• Engage in staff development to ensure continued professional growth
• Model and practices sensitivity, fair treatment and acceptance of diversity in all interpersonal interactions
• Participates and contributes to program Quality Improvement process
• Perform other related duties as required

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO) – 20 PTO Days (25 Days After Five Years of Employment)
• 14 Paid Holidays (includes 2 flex holidays)
• Bereavement: Four Paid Days
• Paid Jury Duty
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Medical, Two Plan Options
• Dental, Two Plan Options
• Vision Insurance
• Wellness Program and Incentives
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Quarterly Employer-Contributions
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care FSA
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Qualifying Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• 403(b) Right Away and Employer-Contributions After Two Years

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees