Community Advocacy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Pinnacle Community Services

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:                             ADVOCACY COORDINATOR

PROGRAM:                            Passage Domestic Violence Services

STATUS:                                 Full-Time, (35 hours per week)

FLSA DESIGNATION:            Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO:                       Director of Passage Domestic Violence Services

DEGREE:                               Master’s in Social Work preferred or Bachelor’s in Social Work or related field with 3+ years direct service experience

EXPERIENCE:                       Extensive related clinical knowledge of family issues including family violence.  Experience in collaboration with community partners

SALARY RANGE:                  $22.15/hour- 24.00/hour

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Advocacy Coordinator is responsible for supporting all aspects of the Domestic Violence program in addition to demonstrating knowledge of the mission and services of PCS. The Advocacy Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the advocacy services offered through the Domestic violence program.   

BENEFITS:

• Health insurance with an HRA account (HRA-80% of the deductible), vision, and dental plans available (health insurance begins 1st day of month after 30 days of work service)
• Employees working at least 1,000 hours per year and who opt out of health insurance either upon hire or during the open enrollment period will receive a $750 lump-sum payment 
• Flexible Spending accounts for both health and dependent care 
• Employee Assistance Program available
• Employer paid short- and long-term disability insurance available
• Employer paid life insurance with the option to purchase additional coverage at group rates (available the 1st day of month after 30 days of work service)
• 401k Retirement Savings Plan – Agency contributes 1% of an employee’s salary after 1 year of service yearly AND in addition matches the first 3% that the employee contributes to their 401k Plan   
• Mileage Reimbursement
• 15 Paid Time Off days, (PTO) in the first year (buy back, carryover, and transfer to Long Term Sick bank is also available at calendar year-end of unused PTO)
• Employee receives yearly - 1 floating holiday and 13 recognized Agency holidays 
• 1 Wellness Day yearly
• Wage/Longevity Bonuses available
• Attendance Bonus available bi-annually
• Bereavement Leave – 4 work days of leave with pay available
• Staff Recognition/Staff Appreciation events
• Team Building and In-House training available offering learning and educational opportunities

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s in Social Work or related field with 3+ years direct service experience may be considered
• Master’s degree in Social Work preferred

• Valid NYS Driver License and use of personal vehicle during work hours
• Extensive related clinical knowledge of family issues including family violence
• Experience in collaboration with community partners
• Knowledge of family violence dynamics and experience in group work
• Ability to use Microsoft applications (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.), Internet/Intranet, web-based databases.  Understanding of the use of email in the workplace

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Actively engages in and provides educational presentations on domestic violence and related topics to community agencies, businesses and organizations
• Provides community advocacy and safety planning according to the specified needs of families residing in PASSAGE House and for families in the community
• Recruits, trains and supervises interns in the Community Advocacy Project philosophy in collaboration with our community partners
• Coordinates and oversees the roles and responsibilities of the Shelter Advocate, non-residential Support Group Facilitators and Child Enrichment Worker
• Conducts interviews to assess client dynamics and creates agreed upon service goals for family violence survivors and their children.  Evaluates service provided

• Educates clients in advocacy and navigation skills through various community services
• Attends court and Department of Social Services proceedings for client advocacy as appropriate
• Possesses current knowledge of community referral resources and facilitates linkages as appropriate
• Facilitates groups for adults and/or children from DV families to offer support and education on domestic violence
• Actively works alongside the PCS Outreach Committee to educate the community at large regarding PCS agency services. This also includes providing PCS staff with training on the dynamics of domestic violence
• Coordinates with PASSAGE House staff to respond to hotline calls, respond to emergent client needs, plan coverage of shelter/hotline for the day in order to ensure shelter safety and that client needs are met during daytime hours
• Maintains thorough client files/statistics/client closings on a timely basis and documenting daily activities.  Assists with information for reports to funding bodies
• Coordinates field placement with educational institution per agreed upon standards
• Reports all suspected incidences of child abuse/neglect to NYS Hotline with supervisory approval
• Participates actively in regularly scheduled supervision with Program Director and participates actively with this process
• Performs other duties as assigned by Administration

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Program interns
• Non-residential Group Facilitators
• Child Enrichment worker
• Shelter Advocate

PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

• Job performed primarily in a shelter/residential setting
• Frequent local travel
• Occasional lifting (15 pounds or less)
• Occasional standing/sitting
• Moderate stress/fast paced environment
• Occasional PC/computer work

AGENCY EXPECTATIONS:

• Complies with all policies and procedures of PCS (including NASW Code of Ethics, Collective Bargaining Agreement, and corporate Compliance Policies) and all governmental and legal requirements
• Attends and participates in appropriate agency staff trainings and meetings
• Advocates for cultural diversity/sensitivity as appropriate
• Experience and knowledge on the use of computers, cell phones and a broad understanding of using the Internet and e-mail in the workplace
• Clearance of the NYS Justice Center Requirements:  Staff Exclusion List (SEL), NYS Central Registry for Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR) and Criminal Background Check

DISCLAIMER:

The information contained in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of this position.