DV Advocate - $19+ - Training Provided - Part Time (32 Hours)

Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA•Washington, PA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

DVSSP is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging. This role will primarily work Wednesday through Saturday mid-shift or daylight hours, with occasional afternoon hour requirements for coverage. The role involves using an educative, supportive, trauma-informed model when providing direct service. Direct service includes telephone hotline counseling, safety planning, information and referrals, individual advocacy, individual counseling, transportation, support groups, and victim compensation assistance. The position also involves scheduling and completion of service plans, assisting clients with their service plan work, providing intakes and transportation, arranging hotline coverage, and reporting child abuse as mandated by law. The role includes supervising and training worksite volunteers, establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with community resources, and maintaining detailed electronic counseling records. It also involves counseling clients in legal options, supporting them in the justice system, accompanying them to hearings, and assisting with Protection From Abuse petitions. The role requires developing and maintaining relationships with legal/law enforcement systems, participating in community outreach and systems advocacy for the Lethality Assessment Program, and participating in advocacy activities on behalf of domestic violence victims. Maintaining daily computer data collection, paperwork, prudent use of resources, and maintaining confidentiality are also key aspects. The DV Advocate must stay up-to-date with prevailing laws and local procedures pertaining to domestic violence, complete trainings as directed, and participate in fundraising activities. Regular and reliable attendance is expected.

Requirements

Translatable work experience
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
Ability to provide on-going supervision, training, and professional development
Collaborate with peers and other departments within the agency
Working knowledge of community resources
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Proficient computer, Internet, and email skills
Possesses vision and initiative to set and achieve goals with a willingness to do more than is required or expected in the job.
Demonstrated genuine enthusiasm for learning new skills and assuming new/changing roles.
Possesses confidence to make decisions and work in high pressure or crisis situations.
Takes full accountability for meeting commitments and achieving expected results.
Accepts challenges and uses creative approaches to assess and solve problems.
Communicates effectively by using available technologies. Ensures that own communication is easily understood by speaking and writing clearly using standard grammar and spelling.
Possesses comprehension of basic math skills and concepts.
Provides a culturally competent and flexible approach when working with those from various cultures by acknowledging, accepting, and accommodating differences.
Embraces evaluation techniques to ensure effective service delivery.
Exhibits a primary prevention mindset as a means toward ending domestic violence.
Supports and role models the core values of trauma informed care.
Ability to work shifts that support a 24/7 operation.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint processed in accordance with Public Law 92-522 and the Child Protective Services Law (Title 23, Pa C.S. Chapter 63), Federal Criminal History Background Check.
Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance.
PA State Police Report of Criminal History Clearance.
Reference Check
Possess current PA driver’s license, insurance, and reliable vehicle

Nice To Haves

Advanced Degree or equivalent work experience

Responsibilities

Use an educative, supportive, trauma-informed model when providing direct service.
Provide direct service including telephone hotline counseling, safety planning, information and referrals, individual advocacy, individual counseling, transportation, support groups, and victim compensation assistance.
Schedule and complete service plans and service plan updates; assist clients with their service plan work.
Provide intakes and transportation as needed, arrange hotline coverage as warranted.
Offer education and information about other community options while providing hotline counseling, particularly if DVSSP has no available beds.
Report child abuse as mandated by law, reinforcing to volunteers that they are mandated reporters and required to report child abuse as directed by the requisite process in place.
Supervise and train worksite volunteers as directed.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other community resources.
Maintain detailed and timely electronic counseling records.
Prepare and submit all statistics and reports as instructed.
Counsel clients in legal options and expectations; support and assist clients in all aspects of the criminal and civil justice systems, accompanying them to hearings as requested.
Accompany clients to law enforcement agencies and advocate on their behalf as requested.
Assist clients in filing Protection From Abuse petitions, accompanying them to Southwestern PA Legal Services and advocating for them at hearings.
Develop/maintain good working relationships with and assist in trainings to legal/law enforcement systems.
Participate in community outreach and systems advocacy for Lethality Assessment Program.
Participate in advocacy activities on behalf of domestic violence victims on a local, state, and national level to assure increased levels of awareness of domestic violence issues by policy makers and the public.
Maintain daily computer data collection and necessary paperwork.
Make prudent use of resources by monitoring consumption, minimizing waste, and offering suggestions for improving agency efficiency (e.g., travel expenses, office supplies).
Maintain facility, staff, volunteer, and client confidentiality, assure adequate security and safety measures.
Keep up to date with prevailing laws and local procedures pertaining to domestic violence.
Complete trainings as directed by the Director of Client Services.
Participate and promote DVSSP fundraising activities.
Exhibit regular and reliable attendance.