Senior SAFEPLAN Advocate_Springfield

Reports to: Director of Community Support Programs

Schedule: Full time, 37.5 hours/week Monday—Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm, with flexibility to meet program needs

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Location:  Agency courts in Northampton, Belchertown, Springfield or Westfield and 1 Clough St, Springfield MA

Salary: $53,000

The YWCA of Western MA is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women. The YW provides a safe place for survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Our programs and services include crisis shelter and transitional housing for survivors and their families, counseling SAFEPLAN court advocacy, community education, supervised visitation, and vocational training for youth ages of 17-24. The YWCA provides services at several sites, including Holyoke, Northampton, Westfield, and our primary Springfield campus.

Expectations of all employees

In the performance of essential and general job responsibilities, all YWCA employees are expected to: 

• Demonstrate commitment to the YWCA’s mission and principles of trauma-informed work.
• Represent the YWCA in a professional and competent manner to participants, community members, organizational partners, and others. 
• Reflect on and interrupt assumptions, personal and systemic biases, and sources of power when interacting or communicating with colleagues, clients, and external partners.
• Support policies, practices, and decisions that demonstrate our shared accountability for racial equity.
• Work effectively as a team contributor and foster a positive working environment.
• Work independently while understanding the need for communication and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations. 
• Maintain professional behavior and strict confidentiality. 

Position Purpose

The Senior SAFEPLAN Advocate provides emotional support, safety planning, information about the court process and options, and court advocacy to victims of domestic violence and their children. S/he provides referrals to the YWCA, other domestic violence programs, criminal justice victim services, community social service programs and the district attorney’s office as necessary to meet the needs of victims. S/he supervises SAFEPLAN advocates across agency courts and collaborates with the YWCA, MOVA, District Attorney’s office and other agencies or programs to meet the needs of advocates and clients.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide in-court advocacy and safety planning to victims of domestic violence and their children at assigned courts for SAFEPLAN.
• Provide information and assist victims with legal options, including but not limited to: the process to apply for a restraining or harassment order, assistance with all court paperwork and courtroom advocacy.
• Provide crisis intervention.
• Conduct intakes, safety planning, and risk assessments.
• Provide support and follow-up services, as well as referrals to the YWCA, other domestic violence programs, criminal justice victim services, community social service programs and the district attorney’s office as necessary to meet the needs of victims.
• Collaborate with victim witness advocates, agency staff and other service programs in an effort to provide a continuum of care to victims.
• Interview and hire new SAFEPLAN advocates, and ensure they have met training requirements.
• Conduct weekly individual supervision of advocates and volunteers/interns, which include support and guidance in providing advocacy to victims of domestic violence. 
• Communication with the program director regarding SAFEPLAN advocates’ administrative and programmatic concerns, contractual obligations, and reporting any concerns or issues.
• On-call responsibilities, providing support to advocates.
• Coordinate program outreach activities.
• Ensure on-going program documentation and evaluation, as well as required SAFEPLAN documentation/contract obligations.
• Ongoing communication with the program director regarding SAFEPLAN maintenance of files and program records in accordance with ethical and confidentiality standards
• Maintain all digital files in AWARDS (i.e., data system) and program records, in accordance with ethical and confidentiality standards.
• Conduct weekly data reporting.
• Attend all SAFEPLAN scheduled conference calls/meetings.
• Attend staff and supervision meetings as required.
• Perform other duties as necessary.
• 40 pounds

Qualifications 

• B.A or equivalent education;
• Minimum of 3 years experience in a related human service field;
• Minimum 1 year supervisory experience; required;
• Minimum 2 years experience with victims of domestic violence; required
• Minimum 2 years of court experience, including experience as a SAFEPLAN Advocate; required
• Functional knowledge of relevant laws and regulations;
• Ability to represent agency from a management perspective in an active union environment;
• Experience addressing the impacts of decisions and actions on multiple communities;
• Understanding of both interpersonal and structural racism and bias;
• Knowledge of outreach service delivery and community resources;
• Experience with networking, collaborating with agencies and other community resources;
• Domestic Violence and SAFEPLAN Certification;
• Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills, including strong computer skills;
• Must be able to be covered by the agency's insurance policy; and
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs.

EEO STATEMENT

It is the policy of YWCA of Western Massachusetts to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the YWCA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

The YWCA is an “at-will” equal opportunity employer. While the YWCA will continue to operate with care regarding employment decisions, the YWCA and its employees may terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason, with or without cause, and without advance notice. Exceptions include select, non-exempt positions covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

The YWCA, in our effort to provide safety to those we serve, and to protect our agency, performs criminal offender record information (CORI) checks on all prospective employees. Final offers of employment are contingent upon receipt of an acceptable CORI report as solely determined by the YWCA.  

INTRODUCTORY PERIOD

All employment at the YWCA begins with a 150-day Introductory Period.