Residential Domestic Violence Advocate

Child and Family Services of Erie County, Inc. • Buffalo, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Haven House Domestic Violence Shelter is seeking an energetic, empathetic advocate to support individuals experiencing domestic violence and their children at Erie County's only licensed domestic violence shelter. The advocate provides supportive listening, crisis intervention, legal and social services advocacy, hotline coverage, and practical support to shelter residents. The role also includes maintaining accurate case records, contributing to programming and quality improvement, transporting residents in an agency vehicle, and supporting the day-to-day operation and safety of a 24-hour residential facility.

The position works Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 4 p.m. to midnight. Shifts are awake shifts; employees may not nap or sleep while working. The role requires working in a busy, fast-paced office and shelter environment, with shifts on a rotating basis that may include evenings, weekends, and holidays. Compensation is $20 per hour. CFS describes the listed benefits as applying to full-time employees.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW) or a degree in a related field; alternatively, an associate degree with experience required.
• Valid New York State driver's license and continued automobile insurance.
• Ability to function as a member of a team.
• Ability to work a variety of shifts on a rotating basis, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to meet the role's stated physical and mental requirements, including frequent movement, communication, computer and office-equipment use, multitasking, and interaction with varied stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual English/Spanish skills.
• Prior domestic violence experience or experience working with victims of trauma.
• CPR or nursing skills.
• Familiarity with or clinical training in mental health and substance abuse.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual supportive listening and counseling to adult shelter residents and conduct crisis intervention as needed.
• Conduct group sessions as needed, including house meetings, support groups, and conflict-resolution sessions.
• Maintain current case files and progress notes, along with required records, statistics, activity sheets, documentation, and logs.
• Participate in assigned case conferences and case reviews.
• Attend program meetings and initiate or participate in creative programming for shelter residents or staff.
• Meet residents' primary needs during assigned shifts, including distributing tokens and supplies.
• Assist with operational needs of the 24-hour residential facility, including cleaning and replenishing supplies.
• Transport residents to appointments using an agency vehicle.
• Participate in community presentations when necessary.
• Perform administrative tasks as needed, such as making copies and compiling client intake files.
• Provide legal and social services advocacy for shelter residents.
• Cover the crisis telephone hotline.
• Remain alert throughout awake shifts; do not nap or sleep during working hours.
• Monitor physical-plant emergencies and report security breaches.
• Model sensitivity, fair treatment, and acceptance of diversity in interpersonal interactions.
• Participate and contribute to the program Quality Improvement process.
• Promote empowerment in accordance with the Social Work profession and Domestic Violence Movement, adhering to trauma-informed care principles.
• Perform other related duties as deemed necessary by the program coordinator.
• Maintain and submit required documents and comply with the Vehicle Safety and Usage Policy.
• Use agency phone and email systems according to customer-service protocols; answer and direct calls appropriately, respond promptly to requests, and demonstrate knowledge of agency programs and services.
• Maintain positive working relationships with program staff and others within the agency, using strong interpersonal skills with internal and external customers.
• Function as a member of a team.
• Work in a busy, fast-paced office setting and abide by a smoke-free work environment.
• Frequently move about inside and outside the office, communicate accurate information, operate computers and office machinery, access multi-level buildings, and travel to community sites.
• Understand written and spoken information, learn and follow job instructions, multitask, coordinate with others, and interact appropriately with varied stakeholders.

Benefits

• Paid time off: 20 days, increasing to 25 days after five years of employment.
• 14 paid holidays, including two flex holidays.
• Bereavement days.
• Paid jury duty.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Medical insurance with two plan options.
• Dental insurance with two plan options.
• Vision insurance.
• Wellness program and incentives.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with quarterly employer contributions.
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Dependent Care FSA.
• Employee referral bonus.
• Qualifying employer for the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
• 403(b) available right away, with employer contributions after two years (1,000 hours each year).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time