DV Advocate - $19+ - 16 Hours

Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA • Washington, PA

9d

About The Position

DVSSP is hiring a DV Advocate for 16 hours per week. The role supports and empowers people affected by domestic violence through trauma-informed, educative, and supportive services. The schedule offers either Friday 12 a.m.–8 a.m. and Sunday 4 p.m.–12 a.m., or Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.–4 p.m., supporting a 24/7 operation.

The advocate provides direct services such as hotline counseling, safety planning, information and referrals, individual advocacy and counseling, transportation, support groups, and victim compensation assistance. The role also supports clients with service plans and updates, legal options and proceedings, Protection From Abuse petitions, and interactions with law enforcement and community resources. The advocate supervises and trains volunteers, maintains confidential and timely electronic records, completes reports and data collection, participates in outreach and advocacy, and helps maintain safe and efficient operations. DVSSP describes its workplace as inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible, and encourages applicants who may not meet every listed requirement to apply.

Requirements

• Translatable work experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to provide ongoing supervision, training, and professional development.
• Ability to collaborate with peers and other agency departments.
• Working knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency with computers, the Internet, and email.
• Ability to work shifts supporting a 24/7 operation.
• Final employment suitability is contingent on successful FBI fingerprint processing and federal criminal history background check; Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance; PA State Police Report of Criminal History Clearance; and reference check.
• Possess a current Pennsylvania driver’s license, insurance, and reliable vehicle.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree or equivalent work experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct services using an educative, supportive, trauma-informed model, including hotline counseling, safety planning, information and referrals, individual advocacy and counseling, transportation, support groups, and victim compensation assistance.
• Schedule and complete service plans and updates, and assist clients with their service-plan work.
• Provide intakes and transportation as needed, and arrange hotline coverage when warranted.
• During hotline counseling, share information about community options, particularly when DVSSP has no available beds.
• Report child abuse as required by law and reinforce mandated reporting responsibilities and procedures with volunteers.
• Supervise and train worksite volunteers as directed.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with community resources.
• Maintain detailed, timely electronic counseling records and daily computer data collection; prepare and submit required statistics, reports, and paperwork.
• Counsel clients about legal options and expectations and support them through criminal and civil justice processes, including accompanying them to hearings as requested.
• Accompany clients to law enforcement agencies and advocate on their behalf as requested.
• Assist clients with filing Protection From Abuse petitions, accompany them to Southwestern PA Legal Services, and advocate for them at hearings.
• Develop and maintain relationships with legal and law enforcement systems and assist with trainings.
• Participate in community outreach and systems advocacy for the Lethality Assessment Program.
• Advocate for domestic violence victims at local, state, and national levels to increase awareness among policymakers and the public.
• Use agency resources prudently by monitoring consumption, minimizing waste, and suggesting efficiency improvements.
• Maintain facility, staff, volunteer, and client confidentiality and ensure adequate security and safety measures.
• Stay current with laws and local procedures related to domestic violence.
• Complete trainings as directed by the Director of Client Services.
• Participate in and promote DVSSP fundraising activities.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.

Benefits

• Flexible scheduling.
• Paid training.
• Competitive pay.
• Annual education opportunities.
• Internal advancement.
• Comprehensive benefits package for all employment levels, including PTO, sick time, and agency vehicle use for work-related travel.
• Pension, life insurance, extended paid leave, medical, dental, and vision benefits, and eligibility for the Student Loan Forgiveness Program for full-time employees and certain levels of part-time employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed