Domestic Violence Advocate

Position Title: Domestic Violence Advocate
Reports to: Executive Director

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provide confidential medical, legal, or general advocacy for individuals victimized by domestic violence.
2. Provide crisis intervention support to victims of domestic violence.
3. Identify and develop a plan for the safety of the victims(s).
4. Screen incoming clients to identify the services needed.
5. Provide advocacy to clients with a clear understanding of community services and support available for their situations.
6. Coordinate with other agencies in planning and linking clients to referral services (for example: legal, medical, social services, financial, and/or housing).
7. Provide transportation for clients as needed and provide The Lighthouse with a current copy of car insurance and driver’s license.
8. Promote cooperation between The Lighthouse and community resources as a member of interagency teams as assigned.
9. Assist in the development, scheduling, arranging and implementing of domestic violence awareness, prevention and outreach efforts in the community.
10. Assist in the development, scheduling, arranging and implementing in-service training and education with other medical, emergency, law enforcement and schools and community agencies.
11. Maintain appropriate confidential documentation of clients’ files as required by agency policy and procedures, pursuant to the state RCW and WAC standards.
12. Attend and offer input at staff meetings, cooperate with staff and fellow advocates to provide quality advocacy to agency clients.
13. Provide care follow-up as caseload allows.
14. Provide advocacy for shelter residents, including but not limited to; assisting with the daily living needs of shelter residents, including access to phone, food, medications, and personal care items, transportation; perform routine chores and cleaning tasks to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the shelter facility, facilitate cooperative living and peer support. Model and actively promote positive, nurturing interactions between adults and children in shelter; back-up coverage as needed.

15. Willing to volunteer /advocate at least three (3) days per month, after hours and weekends for the 24-7 Crisis
Line.

16. Conduct prevention activities as outlined in the DSHS contract.
17. Conduct the Domestic Violence Clinic.
18. Other duties deemed necessary by the Executive Director.

Inspiring Life-long Action to Achieve a World Without Violence

PO Box 93/600 North Avenue *Sunnyside, WA 98944
509-837-6689 * 1-877-604-7462 (toll-free) 509-837-6918 (fax)

Education Requirements:
1. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Bachelor of Arts degree in social services or related field preferred, education can be substituted with experience;
2. Bilingual Spanish
3. Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing in a professional manner with clients, peers, and representatives of the community agencies.
4. Must have completed 20 hours of domestic violence basic advocacy training, in addition to maintaining 20 hours of Domestic Violence continuing education.
5. Must have completed 30 hours of sexual assault advocate core training, in addition to maintaining 12 hours of sexual assault continuing education as mandated by agency policy.
6. Must be familiar with the dynamics and history of domestic violence, sexual abuse/assault and relevant community resources.
7. Must have an understanding of how medical, legal, and social services respond to victims of domestic violence.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:
Fluency in Spanish and English
Effective oral and written translation skills
Empathetic nature and sensitivity to victims in crisis
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision;
Sensitivity to the needs of agency clients and ability to maintain confidentiality;
Basic computer skills;
Knowledge of human service delivery systems and systems advocacy;
Knowledge of the connection between domestic violence and oppression;
Experience, ability and willingness to work as a team with diversified staff, volunteers and constituents;
Ability to work supportively with women and children.
Knowledge of or experience working with people from diverse groups.
Acceptance of cultural, racial, religious, affectional preference and economic differences between people.
Ability to work independently and as part of team to deliver services;
Dependable transportation and valid Washington State Driver’s License.

Education Requirements:

1. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Bachelor of Arts degree in social services or related field preferred, education can be substituted with experience;

2. Bilingual Spanish

Inspiring Life-long Action to Achieve a World Without Violence

PO Box 93/600 North Avenue *Sunnyside, WA 98944
509-837-6689 * 1-877-604-7462 (toll-free) 509-837-6918 (fax)

3. Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing in a professional manner with clients, peers, and representatives of the community agencies.

4. Must have completed 20 hours of domestic violence basic advocacy training, in addition to maintaining 20 hours of Domestic Violence continuing education.

5. Must have completed 30 hours of sexual assault advocate core training, in addition to maintaining 12 hours of sexual assault continuing education as mandated by agency policy.

6. Must be familiar with the dynamics and history of domestic violence, sexual abuse/assault and relevant community resources.

7. Must have an understanding of how medical, legal, and social services respond to victims of domestic violence.

_____________________________________________ ______________________
Employee signature Date

_____________________________________________ _______________________
Executive Director Date

Domestic Violence Advocates Continuing Education Requirements:
Based on the date of hire with the domestic violence agency, staff providing supportive services and staff supervisors must obtain an annual minimum of twenty hours of continuing education training beginning in their second year with the domestic violence agency, and in every year thereafter as follows:

• A minimum of ten hours must be live training on topics specifically focused on serving victims of domestic violence and their children.
• The remaining ten hours of training may be satisfied through self-study on topics specifically focused on serving victims of domestic violence and their children.
• 12 hours of on-going sexual assault advocate training.

Licenses and special requirements: Valid Washington State Driver’s License and vehicle insurance; no prior felony convictions, commitment to the purpose of The Lighthouse. Support of the United Way encouraged.

Inspiring Life-long Action to Achieve a World Without Violence

PO Box 93/600 North Avenue *Sunnyside, WA 98944
509-837-6689 * 1-877-604-7462 (toll-free) 509-837-6918 (fax)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $17.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Sunnyside, WA: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Language:

• Bilingual (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (Required)

Work Location: One location