Lead DV Outreach Advocate

Position Summary: The Lead DV Outreach Advocate is responsible for peer modeling best practices in the provision of services to individuals that have been victimized by domestic violence utilizing empowerment based, trauma-informed, survivor-centered interventions. This position provides consultation, training, and coaching to Outreach Advocates to overcome challenges, conflicts, and barriers for non-residential program participants. The Lead DV Outreach Advocate assists the Outreach Manager in developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with community partners and local stakeholders, compiles monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, and facilitates community education and professional trainings. The Lead DV Outreach Advocate provides direct crisis intervention, comprehensive case management, risk assessment, safety planning, as well as individual and group advocacy to program participants. The Lead DV Outreach Advocate provides emotional support, information and referrals, criminal and civil advocacy, assistance with victim’s compensation, and linkage to resources focused on individual and family safety and self-determination of program participants.

This position covers the Martin, St. Lucie & Indian River counties with a homebase in Indian River county.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related human services field preferred or HS diploma / GED, and prior experience, including two years providing case management, crisis intervention and/or advocacy to vulnerable, at-risk, or culturally specific populations.
• At least one year of experience in the victim services field of domestic violence, sexual violence or human trafficking is required.
• Experience facilitating new hire training is preferred.
• Experience with supervisory responsibilities is preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of social service agencies, including government help systems is preferred.
• Ability to engage in and model supportive, healthy relationships with survivors, peers, staff and community members and utilize a solution focused approach to address challenges and conflicts.
• Ability to safely de-escalate a crisis, conflict, and critical event utilizing a trauma-informed de-escalation approach.
• Must adhere to SafeSpace ethics, policies, procedures, and contractual standards.
• Must maintain and protect the confidentiality of the program participants and shelter locations within agency guidelines and state statutes.
• Excellent ability to communicate efficiently utilizing verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Must be willing to support the emergency disaster team in the event of a national disaster or weather emergency.
• Bilingual language skills are preferred.
• Must be able to pass a level two background screen.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license with reliable transportation to work at various locations including both emergency shelters and outreach locations.
• Ability to be flexible and provide coverage when needed including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.
• Must be organized and detail-oriented to report and collect accurate data and information.
• Must be able to handle and prioritize emergencies and unexpected needs of program participants.
• Ability to be self-motivated and work as part of a collaborative team.

Training Requirements: Required onboarding training will be conducted at the Admin. office or designated location during the hours of 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday regardless of shift schedule. Must successfully complete CORE Competency training provided by the agency within 90 days of employment and participate in ongoing mandatory education and skills training on relevant topics as required by statutory funding, certification of the agency or personnel, or as identified to improve employee performance. Must maintain annual training requirements outlined in the employee manual. Must have or gain knowledge in Florida Domestic Violence Statutes, Injunctions for Protection, court procedures, victim rights, Office of the Attorney General Victim Compensation / Relocation and Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), and the Florida Department of Corrections VINE (Victim Information Notification Everyday).

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job operates in a 24-hour emergency shelter. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Will be a noisy environment that is fast paced with high stimulation. Working with survivors of intimate partner domestic violence may increase exposure to secondary trauma.

Physical Demands: 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work will be performed in both inside and outside environments.

Job Responsibilities:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain an all-inclusive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

• Responsible for collecting and reviewing the outreach monthly required statistical backup documentation per contractual obligation and agency requirements. (5%)
• Coordinate, maintain and facilitate the outreach community calendar of events and activities. (3%)
• Provide consultation, coaching, training and field assistance to Outreach Advocates as needed. (5%)
• Respond to and/or return calls from crisis hotline callers within 48 hours to offer and explain outreach services, utilizing a trauma-informed service model to provide direct crisis intervention, emotional support, information and referrals, linkage to resources and schedule an outreach appointment upon the request of the survivor. (15%)
• Complete outreach intake file at the first outreach appointment within 72 hours of hotline, if possible, and immediately enter all relevant client data / information into the agency’s client database system. (5%)
• Schedule and facilitate ongoing outreach appointments upon request of the survivor and provide on-going safety planning, risk/lethality assessment, counseling/advocacy, transportation, service plan coordination with outside agencies, case management, goal setting, education on the dynamics of domestic violence, information and referrals, shelter screenings, and court accompaniment. (10%)
• Enter, update and maintain current and appropriate participant information regarding all ongoing services provided to participants immediately into the agency’s client database system in accordance with SafeSpace standards. Must maintain confidentiality laws applied to survivors of domestic violence and offer Releases of Information in the best interest of the survivor. (5%)
• Assist outreach participants with developing action (service) plan(s) to achieve identified goal(s). (5%)
• As identified or requested, provide relevant referrals and follow up with the participant as appropriate and assist with accessing referrals, including, but not limited to injunctions, legal processes and options, financial, medical, mental health, educational, employment, local youth services, afterschool care, summer camps, and ELC. Coordinate parent/family support services with other agencies to address concerns expressed by parent / legal guardian. Accompany the participant as needed. (10%)
• Inform and assist survivors in filing victim compensation claims from the Office of the Attorney General and processing Address Confidentiality applications including gathering the needed documentation and informing survivors of their rights. Provide follow-up advocacy with the victim compensation agency on the survivor’s behalf. (5%)
• Conduct bi-monthly follow-up contacts with active participants via in-person appointments, or through an alternative safe method of communication. (5%)
• Attend weekly house meetings at the emergency shelters to inform residential participants of outreach services and staff safe housing plans with DV Shelter Advocates to streamline department referrals. (5%)
• Provide coverage in the outreach department, as needed to facilitate and provide direct services. (5%)
• Review law enforcement reports according to agency standards and disseminate reports by county to appropriate staff to offer SafeSpace services to victims. Conflict checks must be completed prior to dissemination. (5%)
• Participate and co-facilitate case staffing, shift meetings, team meetings, and staff meetings. Engage in one-on-one supervision meetings with the Outreach Programs Manager in ongoing case staffing and supervision. (5%)
• Attend and facilitate professional development trainings, community events and interagency meetings as directed by the Supervisor. (5%)
• Participate in other projects and assist with additional duties as requested by the Supervisor, including supporting the emergency disaster team in the event of a national disaster or weather emergency. (2%)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $24