Counselor / Advocate - (Part-time - Weekends)

Relief Counselor/Advocates

Provides counseling, intervention and referrals to victims of abuse and their dependent children. Provides emergency shelter/bridge housing coverage and building security and maintenance.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain strict confidentiality of all program participants' identification and information. May disclose confidential information only with valid, informed consent from a participant or party legally authorized to consent on behalf of participant.
• Provide shelter coverage and security for program participants. Monitor building by walking through entire building a minimum of 4 times during an 8 hour shift. Document walk-through on standardized form.
• Provide victims with crisis counseling, follow-up counseling, group treatment/support groups, shelter/safe house, information and referral, emergency financial assistance, assistance in filing compensation claims, special services and telephone contact/information and referral.

Other Duties:

• Assist with the development of residential service plans and monitoring actions to achieve goals within reasonable time frames.
• Monitors and tracks residential compliance of all agency's policies and procedures while on duty and record any violations in appropriate files.
• Responsible for tracking the availability of beds.
• Responsible for data entry of program participant files. Data activity will be tracked.
• Responsible for cleaning and or assisting residents with cleaning. Cleaning activity must be documented.
• Works with residents to complete other household task. Show participant "how to" complete a task when there is confusion.
• Performs other cleaning assignments during the shift including, but not limited to: staff bathroom, main foyer sweep and wash floor, vacuuming main office and conference room, dusting, laundry, etc. Document completion on standardized form.
• Performs assigned office tasks as needed including, but not limited to, preparing monthly shelter statistics, filing client files and statistical reports.
• Fill –in food inventory on standard form.
• Assure evacuation signs are posted in proper locations throughout the facility.
• Hold fire drills monthly and document on standard form.
• Check food cupboard and refrigerator temperature daily and record on standard form.
• Document repairs and equipment needed on standard form.
• Performs other job related activities as assigned by supervisor and or CEO.

Required Training:

• Required to attend a minimum of 15 hours of training annually.

Team Work:

• Fill in the VOCA activity information daily in the data base system; prepare a monthly progress and challenge report for supervisor.
• Attends staff meetings and in-service trainings.
• Participates in all agency-wide events: 45 hour advocate training; October awareness; volunteer recognition; various celebrations; fairs, etc.
• Assist with accomplishing agency-wide annual goals and objectives.
• Assist with keeping the facility clean and neat.
• Able to establish working relationships with staff, volunteers, and a variety of internal and external colleagues.
• Any and all duties assigned by COO and/or CEO.

Physical Requirements:

Much of the work performed is sedentary in nature yet may require the COO to exert themselves with minimal force and/or be able lift or move light objects associated with the job responsibilities(lift donations, discard unusable donations, organize supplies)

Skills and Qualifications

• Able to work under pressure and adhere to deadlines.
• Strong commitment to the mission and goals of DVCCC, professional work goals and personal development.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of issues confronted by victims of abuse.
• Able to work with a diverse population of victims of abuse and their children.
• Knowledge of civil, criminal and family court systems, and community agency support services available to victims of domestic violence.
• Able to work independently on projects and assignments with little or no supervision.

Other Requirements:

• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Products.
• Must have transportation to attend meetings and trainings.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours to meet program needs and grantor accountability requirements.
• Adhere to all agency policies and procedures( attendance, work hours, paperwork, etc)
• Child abuse, criminal and FBI clearances as required by the state and DVCCC.

Environment and Conditions:

The incumbent's typical place of work is an office environment and thus will not be substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.

Minimum Training and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Social Services or related field

Three years related experience

Equivalent combination of education and experience.