Domestic Violence Advocate - Residential Services

Job Overview

The Residential Services Domestic Violence Advocate provides support, advocacy, safety planning and case management services to adult survivors of domestic violence and their children who are staying in our nine-bed confidential safe house.

To be successful in this position you will find reward in helping victims of domestic violence and and their children as they seek a life free from violence. You will be comfortable working independently as well as collaboratively. You will understand the complexities and challenges of domestic violence and its impact as you provide trauma informed services such as safety planning, systems and housing advocacy. You will be able to respond calmly to crisis situations and will be able to navigate complicated situations, all while following state and agency guidelines. You will be able to respond calmly to crisis situations and will be able to navigate complicated situations.

The Residential Services Advocate will assist shelter residents by being a supportive presence at our shelter during the week, assisting residents with daily living needs as well as helping them to find permanent housing. The Residential Services Advocate will document services provided to survivors, prepare rooms for incoming residents, complete an assessment on all requests for shelter prior to admission, and communicate shelter expectations and communal living guidelines to residents. They will also provide services to other agency clients including non-residential domestic violence survivors, those who have been sexually assaulted or who are victims of child sexual abuse. Services are provided individually, via groups, in person, by phone, on the hotline and virtually as per client need.

Participation in a paid rotation of after-hours on-call (weeknight, weekend, and holiday) with other advocacy services staff is required. After-hours on-call involves responding to calls on our 24 hour hotline from community members or professionals. Must be able to respond in person to Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, NY within 45 minutes when on-call.

QUALIFICATIONS

• One year of counseling, advocacy or case management experience in a human services or residential setting
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree and/or any combination of education, experience, and measurable past performance that demonstrates the capability to perform the duties of this position.
• Knowledge about domestic violence, sexual assault and/or child sexual abuse
• Ability to provide clear and articulate written information for grant reporting purposes and accurate data entry
• Good communication, organizational and time management skills
• Ability to handle multiple tasks under stressful situations
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional working relationships
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team, with a willingness to appreciate different points of view and problem solve in a constructive manner.
• Sensitive to the impact of sexual and domestic violence in diverse communities
• Ability to develop a positive compassionate rapport with victims of domestic and sexual abuse
• Commitment to working from an anti-oppression, harm-reduction, and strengths based trauma-responsive approach
• Flexible schedule - must be able to work some after-hours evenings, weekends and holidays to meet on call requirements

Requirements

• This is an in-office in person position
• Must pass State Child Abuse/Neglect screening & Criminal Background Check.
• Vehicle and valid driver's license is required. Some travel throughout Tompkins County including transporting of clients as needed along with occasional travel to other areas within NYS for professional development. Mileage reimbursement provided for position related travel. Must be able to respond in person to Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, NY within 45 minutes from home.

Must be able to drive, navigate stairs, periods of sitting. Standing and movement required. The physical requirements described here are representative of those needed to perform essential functions of this job. The physical requirements described here are representative of those needed to perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions if no undue hardship is posed to the agency.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.00 - $22.05 per hour

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Why are you interested in this job and in working with the Advocacy Center?

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Ithaca, NY 14850 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Ithaca, NY 14850: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $22