DV Advocate - $19+ - Full Time - Rotating Schedule

Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA•Washington, PA

2d•Onsite

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 afternoon or midnight shifts. The Benefits of being a DV Advocate: Flexible Scheduling, Paid Training, Competitive Pay, Annual education opportunities, Internal Advancement. All employment levels enjoy a Comprehensive Benefit package including PTO, Sick Time, and Agency Vehicle use for work related travel. Full time employment and certain levels of part time will enjoy the following additional benefits: Pension, Life Insurance, Extended Paid Leave, Medical/Dental/Vision, and eligibility for the Student Loan Forgiveness Program!

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.
Final determination of suitability for employment will be contingent upon a successful: 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

As relevant to worksite, use 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.
Scheduling and completion of service plans and service plan updates; assist clients with their service plan work.
Provide intakes and transportation as needed, arrange hotline coverage as warranted.
While providing hotline counseling, offer education and information about other community options, 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 (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.

Benefits

Flexible Scheduling
Paid Training
Competitive Pay
Annual education opportunities
Internal Advancement
Comprehensive Benefit package including PTO, Sick Time, and Agency Vehicle use for work related travel
Pension
Life Insurance
Extended Paid Leave
Medical/Dental/Vision
Eligibility for the Student Loan Forgiveness Program