Bilingual Senior DV Advocate - DV Advocacy and Support

Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities.

We are now hiring for a full-time Senior DV Advocate at our Calumet office.

SALARY: The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $43,300 to $47,900 annually. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level.

Essential Job Functions

• 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/or referrals. Direct services provided to clients may be in-person, virtual, or by phone and may be conducted in individual, group, family, or communal settings.
• Assesses and effectively responds in a culturally sensitive way to the needs of survivors seeking supportive services using short-term, strengths-based interventions.
• In partnership with the client, develops and regularly reviews a service plan that describes the client’s goals while receiving services and tracks their progress in the achievement of those goals.
• Develops and maintains a strong working knowledge of MFS programs and community-based resources. May facilitate linkages with services both within MFS and in the community.
• Assists DV Program Supervisor with variable administrative duties, which may include staff training and support; development and maintenance of shift schedules, data collection and reporting, and back-up for Program Supervisor or other staff as needed.
• Provides consultation to other staff as needed and assumes a leadership role in fostering positive working relationships with community partners.
• Administers any required assessments and outcome tools at their designated intervals.
• Participates in a team-oriented approach by collaborating with departmental staff and other programs to provide comprehensive services for clients.
• Completes paperwork in a timely manner, including case notes and other documentation needed for a client’s file.
• Works within contract, grant, and program expectations, including meeting timelines and reporting requirements.
• Remains cognizant of current developments in the field of domestic violence. Attends appropriate workshops, conferences, etc. to enhance professional development and understanding of issues in the field.
• Establishes and maintains contact with local agencies, organizations, and partnering sites as appropriate; effectively and professionally represents Metropolitan Family Services and the domestic violence program in the community.
• Provides services in accordance with the Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals’ code of ethics.
• Other duties may be assigned that are specific to the needs of the particular site or program where this position is based.
  
  

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree plus 3 years’ experience or bachelor’s degree plus 1 year experience, including experience in domestic violence survivor services and other services as appropriate to the specific role
• Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (CDVP) certification preferred.
• 40-hour Domestic Violence training preferred at time of hire. This training is required at first opportunity upon hire and must be completed prior to any contact with DV program clients or their personally identifying information.
• Bilingual Spanish.
• Ability to transport clients if needed.
• Ability to maintain assigned community and home-based services.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups in a culturally sensitive modality
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle, and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
  
  

Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package. Find out more by clicking here!

Some Highlights Include

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Coverage, Guardian Dental Coverage, and VSP Vision Coverage.
• Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual, and $4,000 to family, HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date.
• FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
• Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.
  
  

And so much more! Make sure you click here to see the full suite of benefits offered!