DV Advocate - DV Navigation Program

Metropolitan Family Services • Chicago, IL

9d • Onsite

About The Position

Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) is seeking a full-time DV Advocate for the GBV Housing Navigation Program at their Calumet office. MFS is an organization dedicated to empowering families to learn, earn, heal, and thrive, with a strong emphasis on community. This role involves providing direct housing support services to survivors of gender-based violence and their children, offering crisis intervention, safety planning, emotional support, advocacy, life skills development, parenting support, and referrals. The position requires assessing client needs, developing service plans, maintaining knowledge of MFS programs and community resources, and facilitating linkages to services. The DV Advocate will administer assessments, attend meetings, collaborate with team members, complete documentation in a timely manner, and work within contract and grant expectations. They will also stay informed about developments in the field of domestic violence, attend professional development opportunities, and represent MFS in the community. Responsibilities include recording family progress, handling emergencies, adhering to ethical codes, and performing other duties as needed. The role requires flexibility in work schedule, including potential evenings and weekends, and the ability to operate general office equipment and use basic computer knowledge.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED equivalent plus 4+ years’ work experience or associate’s degree plus 2+ year work experience, preferably in the field of gender-based violence or in a social service-related capacity required.
• Experience working in an emergency shelter environment is required.
• Must be able to accommodate flexibility in work schedule, which may include some variable evenings and/or weekends.
• Must be able to operate general office equipment and have basic computer knowledge.
• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screenings and criminal background checks.
• Driving for work required with a personally owned vehicle.
• Travel between sites required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in social services and/or the field of gender-based violence preferred.
• Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (CDVP) certification preferred.
• Bilingual/bicultural preferred and may be required for particular programs or sites.
• 40-hour Domestic Violence training preferred at time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct housing support services to survivors of gender-based violence and/or their children, including crisis intervention, safety planning, emotional support, advocacy, life skills development, parenting support, information, and/or referrals.
• Assesses and effectively responds to the needs of survivors seeking supportive services using short-term, strengths-based interventions.
• In partnership with the client, develops a service plan that describes the client’s needs while receiving services and tracks their progress in the achievement of those goals.
• Develops and maintains a strong working knowledge of MFS programs and community-based resources.
• May facilitate linkages with services both within MFS and in the community.
• Administers any required assessments and outcome tools at their designated intervals.
• Attends any mandatory group supervision and program/agency meetings.
• Participates in a team-oriented approach by collaborating with departmental staff and other programs to provide comprehensive services for clients.
• Completes paperwork in a timely manner, including case notes and other documentation needed for a client’s file.
• Works within contract, grant, and program expectations, including meeting timelines and reporting requirements.
• Remains cognizant of current developments in the field of domestic violence.
• Attends appropriate workshops, conferences, etc. to enhance professional development and understanding of issues in the field.
• Establishes and maintains contact with local agencies, organizations, and partnering sites as appropriate; effectively and professionally represents Metropolitan Family Services and the domestic violence program in the community.
• Provides linkages to support services including transportation, childcare assistance, clothing and uniform assistance.
• Records family progress in Infonet and case files.
• Handles emergency and crisis situations with clients.
• Provides services in accordance with the Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals’ code of ethics.
• Other duties specific to the needs of the particular site or program where this position is based.

Benefits

• Aetna Medical Coverage
• Guardian Dental Coverage
• VSP Vision Coverage
• $2,000 to individual, and $4,000 to family, HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date.
• FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
• Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED