Domestic Violence Victim Advocate

JOB TITLE:                Advocate

FLSA STATUS:           Non-Exempt

LOCATION:                Administrative Offices

EXPECTATIONS OF ALL EMPLOYEES

Supports Project Woman’s mission and values by exhibiting the following behaviors:  confidentiality and respect for all survivors, Trauma-Informed Responses and Approaches, service excellence and job competence, collaboration and team player, and commitment to our community. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direct supervision of the Advocacy Services Coordinator; provides advocacy consistent with best practices, assists with outreach and community relations, and provides training for volunteers, staff and community partners as needed.  Is a member of Coordinated Community Response Team(s) for Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking. Provide expertise related to Special Populations as defined by the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provides advocacy and support for survivors’ before, during, and after crime and subsequent court cases, including assistance with filing protection orders (CPO/TPO’s), victim assistance claims, etc.
2. Works closely with other staff as part of the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) to support survivors to meet safety, independence, and self-sufficiency goals as a means of breaking the cycle of violence.
3. In collaboration with survivors, develops safety plans and assists with on-going safety strategies to enhance independence from violence for the individual and their family.
4. Trains Project Woman staff, staff of social service agencies and others stakeholders and partners related to rights, resources, and advocacy for victims of crime, particularly domestic;/intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual assault and human trafficking as assigned.
5. Collects and maintains documentation and data in accordance to agency policy and procedure, government regulations, funding requirements, and in keeping with Violence Against Women Act and best practices.
6. Participates in rotation of Crisis Response to hospital and law enforcement via cell phone 24 – hours daily.
7. Participates in comprehensive collaboration with law enforcement agencies, criminal justice programs, hospitals, and other systems as necessary to ensure positive partnerships that enhance safety and remove barriers for survivors.
8. Serves as a Crisis Line Operator during work hours on rotation as assigned and scheduled by the Advocacy Services Coordinator.
9. Participate in local Coordinated Community Response teams as assigned.
10. Networks with state and national coalitions as assigned; representing Project Woman on assigned committees and caucuses.
11. Meets criteria for provision of Community Psychiatric Support Treatment under Ohio Revised Code for Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services (OHMAS) and in keeping with the Council on Accreditation.
12. Performs other duties as needed, requested, or as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• General knowledge of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, social services, community organizations, and health services;
• A strong professional work ethic and appearance
• Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries in working with clients.
• The ability to be customer focused, using active-listening skills.
• Ability to remain calm in crisis situations;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Strong problem solving skills;
• Ability to be flexible;
• Ability to provide responsive services to a diverse population of program  participants;
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude;
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently;
• Ability to respect confidentiality of information learned through providing services; Consistently represent the mission and philosophy of the agency; and
•  Maintain effective and cooperative relationships with community partners, participants, other employees, and volunteers.

COMPETENCIES:

• Respectfulness & Relationship Building: Builds constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect.
• Commitment to Quality Service: Builds and maintains client/community satisfaction with the services offered.
• Team Focused & Collaborative: Promotes cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and objectives.
• Self-Accountability & Work Standards: Sets high standards of performance for self and assumes responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks.
• Stress tolerance & Unflappability: Maintains composure in highly stressful or adverse situations.
• Professionalism and Personal Boundaries: Conducts self within appropriate and expected professional boundaries and policies.
• Conflict Management: Helps others to effectively resolve complex or sensitive disagreements or conflicts.
• Valuing Diversity: Helps to create an environment that embraces and appreciates diversity.
• Confidentiality, Integrity, Ethics and Trust: Maintains confidentiality and earns others’ trust and respect through consistent honesty and professionalism in all interactions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position is generally performed in a standard office environment and is moderately active. Work may include sitting and standing for long periods of time. Work in this environment will result in regularly assisting people in acute distress or crisis.

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve non-routine and complex inter-personal issues on behalf of survivors; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work under intensive deadlines with frequent interruptions; and interact with community partners, staff, vendors, survivors, the public and others encountered in the course of work, some of whom may be dissatisfied or abusive individuals. Employees must be able to control their emotions and remain calm. This is a high stress occupation and self-care is essential as is the ability to handle stress in a positive manner.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of work experience and continuing education and certification required.  Registered Advocate in Senior Standing certification required. Prior experience working with domestic violence and sexual assault issues, criminal justice, law or related experience.  Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong organization and problem-solving abilities. 

Other Qualifications:

1. Excellent oral and written communications skills
2. Detail oriented and works with a high degree of accuracy
3. Strong organizational abilities and team participation skills
4. Ability to multitask and meet changing deadlines
5. Must be self-directed and able to complete projects with limited supervision
6. Maintains staff and Survivor confidentiality
7. Demonstrated ability to problem solve and be proactive; and to prioritize and handle a variety of projects simultaneously
8. Has the ability to work with a diverse population and provide culturally competent advocacy for same.
9. Stay informed of community resources and coordinated community responses.
10. Maintain a level of comfort and ability around basic technology (email, databases, etc) as well as future systems as our technology needs progress and implement within scope of duties

JOB RELATIONSHIPS

Supervises:                None

Supervised by:           Advocacy Services Coordinator