Domestic Violence Program Advocate

Lake Family Resource Center•Kelseyville, CA

2d•$25 - $25

About The Position

The Domestic Violence Family Advocate responds in person and by phone to domestic violence victims and their families, providing emergency and planning assistance, peer counseling, and advocacy to support recovery. The role includes crisis-line coverage, short-term counseling, follow-up case management, and coordination with community services and referral agencies. This position has a 32-hour workweek. Lake Family Resource Center uses a three-day-off schedule model to promote work/life balance and staff self-care. The position includes office-hours and rotating off-hours/weekend crisis-line coverage, responses to hospitals and law enforcement agencies during office hours, and community outreach and presentations. The work environment has usually mild to moderate noise levels.

Requirements

Any combination of education and/or experience providing culturally competent, relevant, and sensitive counseling, education, and information to the target population.
Qualification for the state-mandated 65-hour Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Counselor Certificate; the certificate is offered by Lake Family Resource Center.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to assess client needs, formulate plans of action, and conference with support programs and therapeutic staff.
Good understanding of available community services.
Ability to relate professionally to law enforcement and court officials.
Sound judgment and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work efficiently and independently.
Good crisis-intervention skills.
Familiarity with computer software programs such as Microsoft Word.
Ability to relate to people in a nonjudgmental and caring manner.
Good organizational skills and dependability.
Ability to be a responsible team member.
Automobile, valid California driver's license, and vehicle insurance.
Physical ability to stand and walk; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; talk and hear; frequently reach, stoop, kneel, and crouch; occasionally climb or balance, crawl, and taste or smell; and regularly lift or move up to 10 pounds, frequently up to 20 pounds, and occasionally up to 40 pounds. Required vision includes close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Experience with rape-crisis and domestic-violence victims is preferred.
Bicultural and bilingual sensitivity, particularly Spanish, is an advantage.

Responsibilities

Provide crisis intervention services.
Provide rotating coverage for the Community Crisis Line during off-hours and weekends, and coverage for the 24-hour community crisis line during office hours.
Provide emergency one-on-one domestic violence peer counseling to referred clients and refer clients to therapeutic services as needed.
Respond to hospitals and law enforcement agencies during office hours to assist victims.
Coordinate crisis-line volunteers and activities as assigned.
Update and distribute community resource lists.
Prepare and deliver presentations to community groups about program services.
Provide short-term one-on-one counseling, follow-up case management, and advocacy to domestic violence victims and their immediate families.
Provide and participate in group facilitation.
Participate in trainings and collaborate with referral agencies.
Provide culturally sensitive services and work with representatives of underserved ethnic and target groups.
Provide domestic violence victim support groups at other agencies as requested.
Maintain accurate documentation and data collection, and complete reports and forms.
Participate in at least one annual outreach event to promote public awareness of the organization and its mission.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Serve as a mandated reporter of suspected abuse.