Domestic Violence Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

Domestic Violence Advocate

AGENCY BACKGROUND:

Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC) is a community-based, not-for-profit organization founded in 1979 that has grown into a leading multi-service agency with over 100 staff serving New York City with a focus on upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Our mission is to serve as a catalyst for positive change in the lives of the people in our community on their paths to secure and prosperous futures. Integration is the cornerstone of NMIC’s programs, and our staff can identify and address a broad array of immediate needs through comprehensive crisis intervention services. With their crises resolved, clients move seamlessly to capacity building services through our holistic programs designed to transition individuals and families to self-sufficiency.

Our Legal Services, Social Services, and Weatherization programs meet community members’ basic needs including housing, income, nutrition, and health.

Our Community Organizing program empowers groups of residents to collectively secure longer term and larger scale improvements to their own basic needs.

Our Education & Career Services program imparts individual community members with the practical tools necessary to build secure and prosperous futures.

Job Title: Domestic Violence Advocate

Department: Legal, Organizing & Advocacy

Unit: Immigration & Domestic Violence Project

Reports to: Managing Social Worker

Location: Main Office, 45 Wadsworth Avenue, New York, NY 10033

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Model: Hybrid, averaging 3 days per week in person

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Domestic Violence Advocate will be an integral member of the NMIC’s holistic Domestic Violence Project (DVP) by providing safety planning, counseling, crisis intervention, self-sufficiency services and advocacy to primarily immigrant domestic violence survivors. The Advocate will work closely with members of DVP and other NMIC staff to coordinate services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct intakes and comprehensive assessments.

• Provide one on one trauma informed and advocacy-based counseling to enhance survivors' coping skills, self-esteem, understanding of healthy relationships, healing and wellness.

• Assess and refer survivors to mental health settings for further clinical interventions.

• Develop short and long term, client driven and trauma informed strategies to meet survivors' needs in the areas of housing, public benefits, employment, financial management, and healing, paying particular attention to the needs of immigrant survivors of domestic violence.

• Set goals, develop service plans and re-assess client needs as necessary.

• Provide accompaniment on a case-by-case basis.

• Provide translation as necessary.

• Identify needs and provide advocacy on issues such as criminal/civil justice remedies. Provide advocacy (including letters of support and/or affidavits of support) for criminal, family, and immigration cases and interact with law enforcement where necessary.

• Provide psychoeducation and information to enhance survivors' understanding around trauma-related effects, legal systems, immigration, and other systems especially as they relate to domestic violence.

• Provide support, education, referrals, safety planning and advocacy related to parenting in the context of domestic violence including educational settings, custody/visitation matters, the effects of DV on children, etc.

• Utilize best practices that engage survivors with culturally affirming frameworks promoting resilience, social connection, and self-efficacy.

• Make appropriate referrals for other services and provide follow-up.

• Co- facilitate a weekly support group.

• Document services and case information and coordinate grant reporting. Document and collect evidence of abuse that could support civil legal remedies and/or prosecutions.

• Participate in supervision, case planning conferences, statistical and narrative documentation, agency orientation, trainings and staff meetings.

• Collaborate with NMIC staff in the areas of family law, immigration, housing, benefits, education, employment to provide holistic services to survivors.

• Collaborate with partners and other community and city agencies in efforts to prevent intimate partner violence and respond to survivors' needs and right to self-determination.

• Participate in community outreach, awareness campaigns, special events and /or educational workshops as needed by DVP.

• Additional related duties may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

• Fluency in English/Spanish required.

• Counseling and advocacy experience preferred, especially with immigrant communities.

• Knowledge of trauma and strong commitment to social justice.

• Demonstrated technology literacy.

• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills required.

• Ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively and to interact with management and program staff.

• Knowledge working with diverse and underserved communities preferred.

• Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based, empowerment and anti-oppressive perspective.

SALARY/BENEFITS:

NMIC offers a competitive salary based on experience and education as well as a comprehensive and generous benefits package: medical, dental, life, and disability insurance are included; paid time off, including 20 vacation days, 15 sick days, 5 personal days, and 12 agency holidays, plus the week off from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day; a 401k with agency contribution; and other benefits.

The salary range for this position is­­­­­­­­­­­­ $62,000 to $65,000.

NMIC IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

NMIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively encourages candidates of diverse backgrounds to apply for employment. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements in terms of qualifications.? An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered unless specifically stated otherwise.?