Domestic Violence Victim Advocate
Job description
GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:
The Domestic Violence Victim Advocate provides short-term intervention strategies for non-residential victims of domestic violence requesting these services. The DVVA’s foremost responsibility is to facilitate each non-resident participant’s immediate plan of action, working with the participant from the initial point of contact, providing crisis intervention, domestic violence education, and specific short-term goal-oriented case management to ensure the participant and her children physically and emotionally safe. The DVVA will work with the DOVE Coordinator to ensure court and/or law enforcement advocacy is available to the participant through the DOVE unit but may directly provide or facilitate Ex Parte Assistance if this is requested by the participant.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
- Answer crisis calls received at the True North Administrative office from non-residential domestic violence victims, providing initial crisis intervention, emotional support, and information and referral service
- Conduct an initial assessment during intake and the provision of DV101 educational services to all non-residential domestic violence victims requesting True North services.
- Provide case management and personal advocacy services for non-residential domestic violence victims requesting these services who have completed DV101
- Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, ex parte assistance and information and referral services on an as-needed basis to non-residential victims of domestic violence
- Provide referrals to the True North Counseling Program as needed
- Other duties as requested by the True North Executive Director
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Perform other duties both within the program area and throughout the agency, as requested or required by the Executive Director
- Complete appropriate paperwork in a timely and accurate manner
- May be asked or required to participate in training activities that facilitate the performance of job duties
- Keep professional relationship with clients
- Apply True North personnel policies and procedures and all state and federal regulations that pertain to the workplace
- Attend and participate in weekly CORE staff meetings to facilitate progressive case management for each participant receiving on-going services
- Ensure that precautions are taken to provide security and confidentiality of the True North staff and clients
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Social work, Psychology, Human Services or related field or an equivalent education and experience in domestic and sexual violence dynamics
- Clear oral and written communication skills
- Knowledge of and the ability to use community resources
- Crisis intervention, problem-solving and advocacy skills
- Willing to travel to meetings and conferences
- An understanding of the issues of domestic and sexual violence and sensitivity to survivors’ needs and issues
- An ability to work with people of various ethnic, racial and socioeconomic backgrounds
- An ability to remain patient and calm in stressful situations
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Repetitive movement of hands and fingers – typing and/or writing. Occasional standing, walking, stooping, kneeling or crouching. Reach with hands and arms. Talk and hear.