Senior Counselor Advocate

Role Overview

• Provide crisis intervention and self-empowerment counseling in individual and group settings to survivors of gender-based violence.
• Provide direct services through comprehensive case assessment, case management, and advocacy related to criminal legal, social welfare, housing, immigration, and other related systems.
• Provide administrative support to the program manager and assist with the training and onboarding of new and existing staff members.
• Carry a small case load.
• Assist Program manager with the training and supporting of new and existing staff.
• Assist Program manager on reviewing/assigning new intake case.
• Support Program Manager on administrative duties as needed (ex. ordering program supplies, monitoring of Health Bucks and Food voucher Distribution etc.).
• Support Program Manager with reporting of program deliverables to funders.
• Maintain/oversee the petty cash and food voucher systems/reports as required by Fiscal Department.
• Attend meetings and conduct in-person and/or online community outreach or educational workshops to raise awareness of intimate partner and sexual violence in Latinx communities.
• Ensure all VIP clients obtain Crime Victims Assistance information and assistance with compensation claims.
• Conduct initial needs assessments on all clients and their children to identify needs and goals during the initial intake and reevaluate as necessary.
• Provide intensive case management services based on the clients’ needs/goals and their service plan, including weekly (scheduled) case management sessions.
• Provide personal support for the families including but not limited to translation and accompaniment services as it relates to public assistance, housing, school/education placement, health service, etc.
• Provide information and referrals; advocacy and accompaniment to clients throughout the legal, immigration, social and human resources systems, including over the phone, in-person and through written correspondence in a timely manner.
• Assist clients with educational needs by advocating for tutoring services, school placement, parents/teacher/child involvement and medical services.
• Stay abreast of changes in the area of entitlements and benefit resources and systems for information and referrals; advocacy and accompaniment as to secure needed services.
• Maintain proper documentation (case notes, reports and statistical information) in Salesforce in a timely manner for all clients.
• Develop service plans with measurable outcomes and services as identified by the program and funding source in a timely fashion.
• Assess the safety of clients to ensure their security, and that of their children, as their situation may shift with changing conditions. Create a safety plan as needed.
• Provide crisis and promote self-esteem/motivation to clients including identifying and providing referrals to outside therapeutic services as needed.
• Validate, support and encourage strength-based counseling with a focus on personal wellness and independence as identified.
• Work with clients on an ongoing basis around the issues of conflict resolution, separation, and diversity issues (including cultural, religious, and sexual orientation issues), etc.
• Provide interventions that promote positive relationships between clients, parents, their community, various institutions and schools.
• Facilitate weekly, monthly and/or bi-monthly bilingual support groups.
• Provide counseling, case management, and collaborate with multi-disciplinary service providers and law enforcement on a weekly basis to provide wraparound services for walk-in clients at the Family Justice Center.
• Work collaboratively with staff and other service providers to ensure the highest quality service delivery.
• Adhere to mandated reporting requirements as they relate to child abuse/neglect, suicide/homicide concerns, etc.
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled agency and program meetings including supervision sessions, trainings, case conferences, agency-wide staff meetings, team meetings, individual service plans, inter-disciplinary meetings, etc.
• Represent VIP at conferences, community meetings and special events; promoting VIP services at all public functions.
• Capacity building in all programs of the agency – each staff member will demonstrate competency with incorporating financial literacy in the performance of their responsibilities.
• Perform other tasks as required, including any related administrative duties as needed.

Requirements

• BSW or BA required.
• Bilingual Required (English/Spanish – verbal and written).
• Must have at least five years of advocacy and/or counseling experience in the area of domestic violence, women and children’s issues, or related field.
• One year administrative experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication and documenting skills.
• Must be well-organized, work independently and collectively, while maintaining a flexible schedule.
• Must be knowledgeable in working with diverse communities, particularly Latinx, people of color, and low-income populations and deliver culturally competent services.
• Must have the ability to operate office equipment such as computers, copy machine, fax machine, phone systems, etc. with strong internet and software skills; incl. Microsoft Office and client database.
• Must be able to exercise good judgment, compassion, and sensitivity at all times to provide trauma-informed care.
• Must ensure agency, program and client confidentiality at all times.
• Must work well with a team and bring self-awareness and accountability to the workplace.
• Must be passionate about intersectional social justice issues impacting survivors of trauma.

Benefits

• We cover 85% of the cost of medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee and dependents.
• Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Accounts available.
• Unlimited Paid Time Off program, 12 paid holidays, a mid-year and end-of-year office closure.
• Summer Friday schedule (optional).
• Commuter benefits (Mass Transit & Parking).
• 403b retirement plan.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Disability & Life Insurance.