Resource & Information Advocate

Metropolitan Family Services • Chicago, IL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

We are currently looking to fill a Resource and Information advocate role at our Midway office. This role involves greeting survivors seeking assistance at the Centralized Domestic Violence Courthouse of Cook County, assessing their immediate needs, and providing crisis intervention, emotional support, and assistance in preparing legal orders. The advocate will also provide guidance, information, and referrals to various resources, both within and outside the courthouse. A key aspect of the role is developing and maintaining a strong working knowledge of MFS programs and community-based resources, and potentially facilitating linkages with these services. The position requires attending mandatory meetings, participating in a team-oriented approach, completing paperwork and data entry accurately and in a timely manner, and working within contract and grant expectations. The advocate must stay informed about developments in the field of domestic violence through workshops and conferences, and establish and maintain contact with local agencies, representing Metropolitan Family Services professionally in the community. Services must be provided in accordance with the Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals’ code of ethics.

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, within the legal system, or in a social services related capacity.
• Knowledge of community resources, advocacy and crisis intervention skills, an understanding of trauma, and familiarity with legal systems and concepts is beneficial.
• Interest in domestic violence prevention/intervention and in continued growth within the field.
• Empathic, non-judgmental, service-oriented attitude in work with clients.
• Ability to respond appropriately in varied situations, multi-task, and function with minimal supervision.
• Strong organizational, record-keeping, and communication skills (both verbal and written).
• Ability to work and problem-solve both independently and collaboratively within a team environment, demonstrating professionalism, flexibility, and mature judgment.
• Must demonstrate effectiveness in working with people from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of community resources, advocacy and crisis intervention skills, an understanding of trauma, and familiarity with legal systems and concepts is beneficial.
• Interest in domestic violence prevention/intervention and in continued growth within the field.

Responsibilities

• Greets survivors seeking assistance at the Centralized Domestic Violence Courthouse of Cook County and effectively assesses their immediate needs.
• Provides crisis intervention, emotional support, and brief assistance in the preparation of Orders of Protection, Stalking No-Contact Orders, and Civil No Contact Orders.
• Provides guidance, information, and referrals. This may include a brief overview of available court options, an explanation of possible interventions, answering questions, and referring clients to resources both within and outside of the courthouse (including court advocacy services offered by Metropolitan Family Services and other organizations).
• 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.
• 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 and enters data in a timely manner, including client information sheets and other documentation needed for a client’s file.
• Works within contract, grant, and program expectations, including meeting timelines, grant objectives, 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 services in accordance with the Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals’ code of ethics.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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: Associate degree