Advocate 555-Legal - Temp to Hire

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Domestic Violence SAFE Advocate Specialist (DOH)

FT/PT: Full-time Temporary (35+ hours per week, may include some evenings and weekends)

CLASSIFICATION: Salaried - Non-Exempt

BASE SALARY: Starting Salary $51,150.00

PAY GROUP: Grade 17

REPORTS TO: Program Director

SUPERVISES: N/A

FUNCTION: The Domestic Violence SAFE Advocate Specialist will provide advocacy and case management to gender-based violence survivors experiencing past or present domestic violence who are seeking a housing transfer under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The position works in close collaboration with The Network, the City of Chicago Department of Housing, and property managers to ensure that gender-based violence survivors are receiving safe and timely emergency transfers out of dangerous housing situations. This partnership specifically targets the shared goals of providing immediate crisis intervention, long term support, and advocacy to survivors identified through the project while providing technical assistance and training to housing providers to improve systems response to emergency transfers under VAWA. The Advocate Specialist will also work closely with Four Corner Consulting to provide feedback on the group’s data collection and program evaluation. The SAFE Advocate Specialist reports directly to the Legal Advocacy Program Director & Policy Advisor.

Position Status: Temporary
This position is temporary; however, there may be an opportunity for permanent employment based on organizational needs

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Advocacy and Case Management

The Advocate Specialist will provide ongoing, individual support to survivors of domestic violence while maintaining confidentiality as defined by the Illinois Domestic Violence Act. These interactions should include at minimum following services:

• Assist survivors to create a documented service plan led by survivor priorities
• Ongoing service provision that updates service plans as goals are achieved and survivor needs change
• Coordinate survivor support within Family Rescue and with external agencies to expand the range of services available to survivors, such as legal advocacy, counseling, mental health, physical health, substance abuse services, immediate needs, daycare or school support for children, employment or career advocacy, access to public benefits, and any other resources the survivor may identify
• Develop individualized safety plan with the survivor
• Collection of necessary documents to aid in transfer process
• In cases of GBV that are not defined as domestic violence under the IDVA, the Advocate Specialist will provide support for the emergency transfer process and connect the survivor with an advocate at a more appropriate agency
• Support survivors of Gender-Based Violence by helping them determine the need for emergency housing and coordinate placement into emergency housing or short-term arrangements, such as hotels, motels, or shelters.

Collaboration

The Advocate Specialist will collaborate with The Network to receive referrals to the SAFE program. The Advocate Specialist will coordinate with the survivors, The Network, and the property manager to support the survivor transitioning into new housing. Once complete, the Advocate Specialist will assist in closing out the transfer and provide any remaining referrals to the survivor. The Advocate Specialist will also maintain partnerships with motels, hotels, and other short-term arrangements to arrange for emergency housing for survivors. The Advocate Specialist will assist in program development and management with the pilot’s partners.

Training

In collaboration with The Network, the Advocate Specialist will provide gender-based violence training to property managers and developers to improve their response to GBV and understanding of federal VAWA regulations. The Advocate Specialist can provide training to the community, specifically those living in low-income, affordable, or LIHTC units to increase their understanding of GBV and their rights related to VAWA.

LOCATION

Hours: 8:30am-4:30am

Location: 555 W. Harrison Street with the ability to travel within city limits regularly

MARGINAL DUITES &b RESPONSIBILITIES:

The main responsibilities of the Domestic Violence SAFE Advocate Specialist are as follows:

• Advocacy and Case Management
• Collaboration
• Training

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience:

• Prefer a Masters’ Degree in social service or related field with two (2) or more years of applicable experience.
• Will consider candidates with Bachelor’s degree and 4-6 years related experience.
• Completion of an Illinois Certified 40-hour domestic violence preferred, or training within three months of employment.

Language/Writing Skills:

• Must have excellent verbal skills.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively to diverse group(s) of people in varied setting; including public speaking.
• Bi-Lingual Spanish is a plus, but not required
• Excellent technical writing skills.

Reasoning Ability:

• Must have the ability to read, analyze and interpret common and technical journals, reports and legal documents.
• Must be able to respond to the needs and/or request of clients, co-workers, supervisors and others in a professional and timely manner.
• Must have the ability to plan and organize in a logical manner
• Must be able to prioritize and multi-task in an efficient manner.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with a wide variety of intern and external clients.
• Must be able to multi-task in an efficient manner.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to stand and walk up to 1/3 of the time.
• Must be able to sit 2/3 or more of the time.
• Must be able to use hands and/or fingers 2/3 or more of the time.
• Must be able to hear 2/3 or more of the time.
• Must be able to life up to 10lbs up to 1/3 of the time.
• Must have clear or correctable vision minimally up to 20 inches.

Equipment Used:

• Must be proficient in the use of computers and various software packages
• Must be able to use standard telephone.
• Must be able to use general office equipment.

Work Environment:

• Must be able to work in an office setting with moderate noise levels.
• Must be able to travel locally, regionally and/or out of state up to 1/3 of the time.

Rev. 09.2026