Sr. DV Advocate

Metropolitan Family Services • Westmont, IL

13d • $47,000 - $52,000

About The Position

Metropolitan Family Services is hiring a full-time Senior DV Advocate to join its DuPage Team. The role provides direct services to survivors of domestic abuse and/or their children, including crisis intervention, safety planning, emotional support, advocacy, life skills development, parenting support, information, and referrals. Services may be delivered in person, virtually, or by phone in individual, group, family, or communal settings.

This position is part of a 24-hour program and requires scheduling flexibility to ensure continuous coverage. Shifts may vary according to program needs, though the organization makes efforts to provide consistent scheduling, typically five 8-hour shifts per week including one weekend day. Holiday scheduling is required. Potential shifts are 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.

The average salary is $47,000–$52,000 annually, with compensation based on related experience, position requirements, and qualifications. First-time MFS employees are eligible for a $1,000 sign-on bonus, paid as $500 on the first paycheck and $500 after one year of employment. The position requires driving for work using a personally owned vehicle; travel between sites is not required.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED plus 4 or more years of work experience, or an associate degree plus 2 or more years of work experience; experience in gender-based violence or social services is preferred in the description.
• Experience working in an emergency shelter environment; the posting describes this as highly beneficial and required.
• Associate degree plus 3 or more years of experience, or bachelor’s degree plus 1 or more year of experience, including domestic violence survivor services and other relevant services as appropriate to the role.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, or a related field.
• Pass all relevant screenings and criminal background checks.
• Ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule, including variable evenings and/or weekends.
• Ability to drive for work using a personally owned vehicle.
• Ability to operate general office equipment and basic computer knowledge.
• Knowledge of community resources, advocacy, crisis intervention, trauma, and trauma-informed care is beneficial.
• Empathic, non-judgmental, service-oriented approach; recognize survivors as experts in their own lives and partner with clients to build on their strengths.
• Ability to respond appropriately in varied situations and work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work and solve problems independently and collaboratively, demonstrating professionalism, flexibility, and mature judgment.
• Self-awareness, insight, commitment to ongoing professional growth, and ability to model healthy boundaries and self-care.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and effectiveness working with diverse populations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in social services and/or gender-based violence.
• 40-hour Domestic Violence training at time of hire; the training is required at the first opportunity after hire and must be completed before contact with DV program clients or their personally identifying information.
• Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (CDVP) certification.
• Bilingual/bicultural ability.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct services to survivors of domestic abuse and/or their children, including crisis intervention, safety planning, emotional support, advocacy, life skills development, parenting support, information, and referrals.
• Assess and respond to the needs of survivors using short-term, strengths-based interventions.
• Develop and regularly review client service plans in partnership with clients, documenting goals and tracking progress.
• Maintain knowledge of MFS programs and community resources and facilitate connections to services as appropriate.
• Administer required assessments and outcome tools at designated intervals.
• Attend mandatory group supervision and program or agency meetings.
• Collaborate with departmental staff and other programs to provide comprehensive client services.
• Complete case notes and other client-file documentation in a timely manner.
• Meet contract, grant, and program expectations, including timelines and reporting requirements.
• Keep current with developments in the domestic violence field and attend appropriate professional development workshops and conferences.
• Establish and maintain contact with local agencies, organizations, and partner sites, and professionally represent MFS and its domestic violence program in the community.
• Provide services in accordance with the Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals’ code of ethics.
• Assist the Program Supervisor with information for biannual IL Certified Domestic Violence Professionals training, supervision, and CEU-granting site status renewals.
• Perform other duties as assigned or specific to the site or program.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Employer contributions of $2,000 to individual and $4,000 to family HSA accounts, prorated to the benefits start date.
• Free Teladoc general medicine and behavioral health services for all team members.
• Ascensus 401(k) plan with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on the first day of eligibility.
• $1,000 sign-on bonus for first-time MFS employees, split between the first paycheck and after one year of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior