DV InVest Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

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

Position Type/Classification: Full-time, 40 hours per week; Non-Exempt

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

Position Summary:

The DV InVEST Advocate utilizes an empowerment-based, trauma-informed, survivor-centered service model to provide direct crisis intervention, comprehensive case management, risk assessment, safety planning, and individual and group advocacy to domestic violence survivors.

The DV InVEST Advocate provides case management services including but not limited to, emotional support, information and referrals, criminal and civil advocacy, assistance with victim’s compensation, and linkage to resources focused on individual and family safety and self-determination of program participants. The DV InVEST Advocate is actively engaged in the community providing awareness, through presentations and training.

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.

• Respond to and / or return calls from crisis hotline callers within 48 hours to offer and explain outreach services, utilizing a trauma-informed service model to provide direct crisis intervention, emotional support, information, linkage to resources and schedule an outreach appointment upon the request of the survivor.
• Complete outreach intake file at the first outreach appointment within 72 hours of hotline, if possible, and immediately enter all relevant client data / information into the SafeSpace client management database.
• Schedule and facilitate ongoing outreach appointments upon request of the survivor and provide safety planning, risk/lethality assessment, counseling / advocacy, case management, education on the dynamics of domestic violence and information regarding the availability of the SafeSpace emergency shelter.
• Enter, update and maintain current and appropriate participant information regarding all ongoing services provided to participants immediately into agency’s client management database in accordance with SafeSpace contractual standards.
• Assist Outreach participants with developing action (service) plan(s) to achieve identified goal(s). (5%)
• As identified or requested, provide relevant referrals and follow up with the participant as appropriate and assist with accessing referrals, including, but not limited to: injunctions, legal processes and options, financial, medical, mental health, educational, employment, local youth services, afterschool care, summer camps, and ELC. Must complete ROI. Coordinate parent/family support services with other agencies to address concerns expressed by parent / legal guardian. Accompany the participant as needed.
• Serve as a liaison between Survivors and the judicial system to support, advocate, and assist survivors to navigate cases with law enforcement, the State Attorney Office, Office of the Attorney General, and Child Welfare.
• Inform and assist the survivors in filing victim compensation claims from the Office of the Attorney General including gathering the needed documentation, etc. Provide follow-up advocacy with the victim compensation agency on the survivor’s behalf.
• Conduct weekly follow-up contacts with all active participants via in-person appointments and phone calls, who haven’t had contact in the last 25 days.
• Review and update personal safety plan as needed to address changing circumstances of participants.
• Develop and update InVEST internal referral procedures with supervisor.
• Coordinate supportive services for shelter residents along with DV Shelter Advocate to achieve plan.
• Facilitate/co facilitate peer and educational support groups. (5%)
• Obtain and review police reports daily, and attempt contact with eligible survivors of domestic violence. Verbal contact will be attempted within 72 hours of receiving the report. Document on agency forms all attempts to contact eligible survivors identified within Law Enforcement reports.
• Participate in case staffing, shift meetings, team meetings, and staff meetings.
• Facilitate community-based training with judicial professionals including but not limited to State Attorney, Law Enforcement, Victim Advocates, Child Protection Investigators, Veteran’s Affairs, Rural Communities, and other specialized areas as directed by Supervisor.
• Actively engage in community-based meetings to highlight and address the needs of survivors of domestic violence within the judicial system and rural areas.
• Participate in community awareness events and activities including distributing agency brochures and posters, hosting informational tables, attending fairs, and providing speaking engagements.
• Participate in other projects and assist with additional duties as requested by the supervisor, including supporting the emergency disaster team in the event of a national disaster or weather emergency.

Requirements:

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 required. (Spanish).
• Experience in the victim services field of domestic violence, sexual violence or human trafficking is preferred.
• Ability to engage in and model supportive, healthy relationships, with survivors, peers, staff and community members.
• Ability to safely de-escalate a crisis, conflict, and critical event utilizing a trauma-informed de-escalation approach.
• 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.
• Ability to communicate efficiently utilizing verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• 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 drive to outreach locations and emergency shelters throughout SafeSpace service areas for meetings, court, participant needs, etc.
• Ability to be flexible and provide coverage when needed, including nights, weekends and holidays.
• Must be organized and detail-oriented to report and collect accurate data and information.
• Must be able to handle and prioritize emergencies and unexpected needs of program participants.
• Ability to be self-motivated and work as part of a collaborative team.

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 Administrative office or designated location during the hours of 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. 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 job operates in outreach locations, throughout SafeSpace service areas, including the 24-hour emergency shelters. 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 may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds. 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.