Domestic Violence Advocate
Job Description
Job Description
Domestic Violence Advocate
Job Description
Job Summary:
This position is an hourly position consisting of 40 hours per week and a biweekly 24/7 on-call rotational
schedule. The candidate will be working with individuals in the community by providing advocacy
services and support to survivors, and at times their dependents, of domestic violence.
Qualifications:
- Associate degree in a Human Service field required, bachelor’s degree preferred.
- At least one year of professional experience within domestic violence and/or the criminal justice
system or lived experience within domestic violence and/or the criminal justice system.
- Must be able and willing to work regular scheduled hours plus provide 24/7/365 on-call, on a
rotating on-call schedule.
- Must be able and willing to transport any survivors or families being served by the program at
given times.
- Be able to review, assist and refer survivors of domestic violence and their dependents on the
social determinants of health which include, but are not limited to, primary care; behavioral
health; dental; environmental; housing; financial; employment and social.
- Can maintain appropriate professional boundaries, to include when representing the contracted
agency, and by extension, Franklin County Department of Social Services.
- Ability to establish and maintain rapport.
- NYS Peer Certification within 6 months of employment.
- Personal experience advocating a variety of issues in Franklin County.
- Strong interpersonal skills, communication skills, active listening skills and critical thinking skills.
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment and collaboratively with a team of professionals
across various agencies and skill disciplines.
- Strong computer skills working with Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Reliable transportation, with active New York State Driver’s License and up-to-date car
insurance, registration, and inspection.
- Willing to travel up to 90% or more a week.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Able to pass a NYS Criminal Justice Background Check, not listed on the Staff Exclusion List and
be able to clear an OCFS Background Check, OIG, and HHS-OIG.
- Ability to make decisions within the guidelines of the agencies policies and procedures, federal
and state laws.
Job Responsibilities:
- Must complete Mandated Reporting, HIPAA, Safety in the Community, Sexual Harassment
Prevention, Overview of Trauma, Dynamics of Domestic Violence, Statutes and regulations
pertaining to non-residential programs for victims of domestic violence, Legal remedies
including providing an understanding of the legal rights and options available to victims of
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domestic violence, not to mean providing legal advice and/or representation by someone other
than an attorney and Mental health, to include but not limited to, understanding the impact of
trauma to the health of domestic violence victims and their families, understanding the needs of
individuals with developmental disabilities and/or mental health conditions and how to assist
individuals who request professional mental health services with access to those services. These
trainings are due to the first week of employment.
- Must be able to complete the following trainings within the first 30 days of employment:
Information Security Awareness, Right-To-Know, Workplace Violence Prevention, Adult/Youth
Mental Health First Aid, Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), CPR/FA, Narcan administration,
Community resources & services, to include community and/or government resources that can
help victims of domestic violence meet their basic needs to include, but not limited to, food,
health, housing, transportation, employment, etc.
- Within the first six months of employment, the candidate must complete the process to become
provisionally certified as a New York State Peer Specialist.
- Community Connections of Franklin County and partner agency’s organizational policies and
procedures.
- Must adhere to professional boundaries with fellow employees, individuals receiving services
and partner agency employees.
- Substance use, to include but not limited to, understanding the needs of individuals struggling
with substance use, how and when to seek emergency medical services for overdoses and
information regarding options available for those who request information and/or referral for
substance abuse treatment.
- Diversity & Inclusion, to include understanding how culture, ethnicity, religion, sexuality and/or
gender identity/expression can influence/impact domestic violence victims, how to provide
services to victims in a respectful manner as to increase the quality of services and provider
better outcomes.
- Domestic Violence Trainings via Center for Practice Innovations.
- Any designated trainings required per Franklin County Department of Social Services.
- Keep statistical data to report to direct supervisor by the last working day of each week or
month, dependent on program need.
- Must have knowledge of resources and systematic processes in Franklin County.
- Must continually learn systemic processes for all systems in Franklin County such as, but not
limited to courts, probation, Department of Social Services, Public Defenders, Conflict
Defenders.
- Provide person-centered, strength-based, and nonjudgmental support for survivors, and at
times their dependents, of domestic violence.
- Provide hotline and office coverage during the shift, and after hours. Assess immediate crisis
needs of individuals and address appropriately. Manage incoming calls and walk-ins and
complete necessary documentation.
- Provide supportive services such as, but not limited to crisis intervention services, create
individual safety planning, coordinate legal services referrals for victims.
- Provide court accompaniment as a support system for protective orders, victim compensation
claims, custody/visitation support.
- Provide approved services within the following, but not limited to, areas; information and
referral, personal advocacy/accompaniment, emotional support or safety services,
shelter/housing services, criminal/civil justice system assistance as well as transportation and
interpreting services as needed.
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- Assist with relocation services such as utility assistance, security deposit, and rent assistance
based on individual/family needs.
- Share community resources based on individual needs.
- Conduct individual follow-up and evaluations of services the survivor, and their dependents, are
receiving.
- Participate in community collaborative groups/coalitions related to domestic violence.
- Attend community resource events such as community resource fairs as well as provide
community education regarding domestic violence.
- Complete intake applications on same day of first service delivery.
- Complete progress notes within 24 hours of service delivery.
- Must abide by all agency policies and procedures.
- Must maintain confidentiality at all times of individuals you are working with regardless of
whether within the program or in the community.
- Engage in supervision meetings with assigned direct supervisor.
- Help to connect individuals to providers they deem suitable for their overall well-being such as
but not limited to, primary care, mental health, substance use, etc.
- Explores with the survivors their immediate needs and their longer-term goals and vision for
their overall wellness.
- Build and maintain a professional and strength-based partnership and collaboration with
community service providers.
- Maintain a professional working relationship with all agencies on behalf of CCFC.
- Advocate at all levels within the county and state for individuals and families within Franklin
County in a professional manner.
- Review social determinants that may be affecting an individual or family’s overall health.
- Complete daily person-centered progress notes in for individuals you are working within the
same day of services were provided to the individual.
- Create, maintain, and update as needed a survivor’s person-centered Individual Service Plan
(ISP). The ISP must be reviewed/updated minimally every month, or as deemed necessary by
program policy.
- Adequately maintain files per CCFC guidelines.
- Assist direct supervisor with program development regarding domestic violence.
- Support/work in all programs on a temporary basis to meet the needs of those receiving
services as needed.
- Attend all required meetings and or trainings as per agency request and or partner agency
request.
- Any other job duty as assigned by direct supervisor.