Domestic Violence and Child Welfare Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Days / Shift: Monday through Friday; 8:30am - 5:00pm (with flexibility to meet program needs)

Position Type/Classification: Full-Time 40 hours; Non-Exempt

Location/Travel: Stuart/Tri-County (Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River County)

Position Summary:

The Domestic Violence and Child Welfare (DVCW) serves as the expert on child welfare involved domestic violence cases and helps build the capacity of child welfare professionals to partner with survivors and hold batterers accountable through case staffing’s, case consultations, and staff training. 

Although the primary role of the DVCW Advocate is to serve as a consultant to the child welfare staff, the advocate is also available to provide safety planning, advocacy, crisis intervention, advocacy and on­ going supportive services to domestic violence survivors. The DVCW Advocate will be co-located in the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Child Protection Investigation (CPI) Unit.

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. 

• Referrals and Initial Contact  

a) Make follow-up calls to domestic violence survivors upon receipt of a referral form from the child welfare staff.

b) Connect survivors with services provided by the certified domestic violence center based on their specific needs.

• Case Staffing’s/Case Consultations 

a) Participate in formal and informal staffing’s of cases involving domestic violence.

b) Consult in the development of safety plans and/or case plans that enhance survivor and child safety while holding batterers accountable for their violence.

• Collaboration 

a) Facilitate monthly meetings with DCF, local Community Based Care (CBC) agency, and other CPI project partners to discuss successes, barriers to collaboration, and to develop strategies to resolve emerging issues with CPI project.

b) Serve as a liaison between child welfare and the domestic violence center staff.

• Training 

a) Conduct onsite training for local child welfare professionals on topics including, but not limited to, the dynamics of domestic violence, the intersection of domestic violence and child maltreatment, batterer accountability, and safety planning.

b) Conduct onsite training to domestic violence center staff on the child welfare system and best practices when working with survivors involved in the child welfare system.

c) Participate in training offered by DCF or other local child welfare partners.

d) Participate in trainings, meetings, technical assistance visits, webinars, and conference calls as required by DCF and FLDVC.

• Data Collection 

a) Submit monthly reports which include information about progress to date on CPI Project deliverables.

b) Collect and report non-personally identifying aggregate data regarding project activities and services.

c) Keep track of referrals and consultations by county to identify areas of growth. 

• Services provided to survivors by the DVCW Advocate must be voluntary and include but not limited to: 

a) Crisis intervention services and supportive counseling

b) Adult and child safety planning

c) Advocacy within the child welfare and criminal justice systems

d) Growing together support groups

e) Information and referrals for other services as appropriate

• Other duties as assigned related to the CPI Project 

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related human services field preferred and one year or more providing case management, crisis intervention and/or advocacy to vulnerable, at-risk, or culturally specific populations. May substitute equivalent professional experience with a High School diploma or GED. 
• Bilingual language skills are preferred. (Spanish)
• Must have a strong understanding of and commitment to the understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and empowerment-based advocacy, including the intersection of domestic violence and children. 
• Must have a comprehensive understanding of the services and programs of the local certified domestic violence center or child welfare system. 
• Must have skills that allow for working independently and collaboratively with community partners. 
• Must be flexible in working hours to deal with unexpected needs or emergency situations that may arise and be prepared to work effectively with various populations of people.
• Ability to engage in and model supportive, healthy relationships, with survivors, peers, staff and community members, as well as safely de-escalate a crisis, conflict, and critical event utilizing a trauma-informed de-escalation approach. 
• Must have ability to communicate efficiently utilizing verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills including presentation skills to address small and large groups.
• Must adhere to SafeSpace ethics, policies, procedures, and contractual standards.
• Must have the ability to gain knowledge of local resources, social service agencies, including government systems and child welfare practices with investigations and dependency. 
• Must maintain and protect the confidentiality of the program participants and shelter locations within agency guidelines and state statutes. 
• Must be willing to support the emergency disaster team in the event of a national disaster or weather emergency. 
• 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.
• Must be organized and detail-oriented to report and collect accurate data and information.

Core Competencies

• Professionalism and compassion
• Attention to detail
• Reliability and accountability
• Cultural humility and inclusivity
• Problem-solving and initiative
• Team collaboration

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 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 requires movement with the ability to walk, stand for up to 2-hours to facilitate community-based presentations, sit at a desk for up to 3 hours, and drive to outreach locations throughout SafeSpace service areas. 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.

Notice to Applicants: All finalists for employment with SafeSpace, Inc. are required to undergo screening through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. For more information, please visit  

SafeSpace is an Equal Opportunity Employer.