PIP Child Welfare Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

JOB SUMMARY: The PIP Child Welfare Advocate provides survivor-centered advocacy, resource coordination, and ongoing support to survivors of domestic violence referred to through the Department for Children and Families (DCF). Working from Harbor House, the Advocate assists survivors in identifying needs, establishing goals, navigating community resources, and overcoming barriers to safety and stability. This position complements the work of the DCF co-located CPI Advocate by providing continued advocacy and follow-up after the initial crisis intervention and assessment, ensuring survivors have access to comprehensive services that promote long-term safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency. This position is not co-located with DCF. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Serve families who have an open Department of Children and Families (DCF) case or are otherwise involved with the child welfare system. Receive referrals from Harbor House advocates and other internal programs and provide survivor-centered advocacy and case management. 
• Conduct comprehensive assessments and collaborate with survivors to develop individualized service plans that promote safety, stability, and achievement of self-identified goals. 
• Provide ongoing advocacy, crisis intervention, safety planning, lethality assessments, resource navigation, and follow-up services to address housing, financial assistance, employment, education, healthcare, behavioral health, transportation, childcare, legal services, and other identified needs. 
• Coordinate referrals and collaborate with Child Protective Investigators, the PIP Advocate, Harbor House staff, legal partners, and community agencies to ensure coordinated, trauma-informed, and non-duplicative service delivery. Participate in multidisciplinary case staffing and team meetings as appropriate. 
• Maintain accurate case documentation, referrals, service records, statistical data, and other required reports in compliance with agency policies, grant requirements, and confidentiality standards. 
• Participate in agency training, professional development, and perform other duties as assigned. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

MARGINAL DUTIES

• This position description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of essential job duties. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of domestic violence dynamics, trauma-informed care, survivor-centered advocacy, safety planning, and community resources.
• Knowledge of community-based services and the ability to effectively connect survivors with resources that promote safety, stability, and self-sufficiency.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with survivors, Child Protective Investigations staff, community agencies, multidisciplinary partners, and Harbor House staff.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, advocacy, and crisis intervention skills.
• Ability to assess survivor needs, identify barriers, and provide appropriate referrals and resource navigation.
• Ability to empower survivors through advocacy while supporting informed decision-making and self-determination.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in accordance with agency policies and applicable laws.
• Ability to effectively prioritize workload, work independently with minimal supervision, and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in an environment with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) and the ability to learn agency databases and electronic documentation systems.
• Ability to accurately document client contacts, services provided, referrals, and required program statistics.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequently standing, sitting, and walking.
• Some stooping, lifting and bending.
• Talking, hearing, seeing, repetitive motions.
• These requirements may not be all inclusive. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Education: High School Diploma or GED required. Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Counseling, or a related field preferred. 
• Experience: Minimum of one (1) year of experience providing victim advocacy, community outreach, resource navigation, case coordination, or direct services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, child welfare, or other vulnerable populations. Experience collaborating with community partners and multidisciplinary teams is preferred.
• Discretion: Professional experience may be substituted for formal education at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer.
• Licensing: Valid Florida Driver’s License with a clean record for the past 5 years. Must be 21 years or older to meet agency insurance requirements.
• Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Ability to learn organization-specific software, including databases and content management systems. Strong professional writing and communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with attention to detail.
• Training Requirements: Completion of CORE Competency training within 90 days of hire. Additional mandatory training is required on an annual basis per Agency Policies & Procedures.