This is a job listing for Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh
About the organization: WC&S is a comprehensive domestic violence program annually serving over 7,500
adult and child survivors of domestic violence & facilitating an intervention program to over 500 people who
are abusive. We are advocates, grounded in fostering a community of safety, healing, and empowerment for
anyone affected by domestic violence. Our Mission is to strengthen our ability to meet the individual and
evolving needs of those affected by domestic violence by investing in the growth of our people, deepening
community engagement, and amplifying the voices of all survivors. All staff learn about and support the
organization’s mission, vision, and values of Safety, Uplifting Others, Compassion, Courage, Equity, SurvivorCentered Advocacy, and Stewardship.
About the role: As a Children’s Behavioral Support Advocate, your primary responsibility is to provide direct
service, advocacy, and childcare to child and teen victims of domestic violence and assist with identifying
their counseling needs. You will have the ability to co-facilitate support groups for moms and kids, use your
creativity to develop structured programming for children, administer assessments to mothers to identify
the unique needs of their children and be a resourceful problem solver with a welcoming, non-judgmental
demeanor. Due to the sensitive nature of our work, it is important that you understand abusive family
dynamics, including intimate partner violence (IPV), the cycle of abuse, power and control dynamics, child abuse,
neglect, and trauma. The successful candidate is sensitive to trauma and cultural diversity issues and is
passionate about ending domestic violence. This role will be based out of the WC&S Children’s Advocacy
Program, which is housed in the main WC&S facility. There is also an opportunity for some remote work.
This role provides you with the opportunity to showcase your active listening, communication, and
assessment skills and the ability to contribute to the organization’s mission in a variety of ways. If you are
comfortable working with children, teens, and moms to help them thrive, practicing trauma-informed care,
working in a team environment, and using your creativity, we are eager to hear from you. WC&S will offer
you an environment that provides endless opportunities to advance your knowledge and skills.
Here’s what you will do:
• Co-facilitate support groups for moms and children alongside the Children’s Counselor.
• Design structured programs for children; create and provide information and referrals resources for
mothers pertaining to the needs of children in collaboration with the Children’s Advocacy Program.
• Administer assessments to mothers to identify individual needs of their children; identify needs of
mothers for specific parenting issues; provide case management and advocacy to mothers and
children.
• Assist in training and coaching of WC&S staff regarding childhood trauma and development.
• Provide ongoing childcare to clients; provide advocacy for school enrollment and attendance, as
needed, in collaboration with the Children’s Program.
• This position requires being available 40 hours per week and offers some flexibility.
The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, noon to 8 p.m. with occasional weekend
hours based on client need.
• Perform other duties as assigned
Here’s what we are looking for:
• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, child development, or related field required.
• 2+ years working with children and teens who have experienced trauma required.
• Experience working with child mental health, including spectrum disorders, preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to assess for behavioral and emotional issues.
• Ability to establish healthy boundaries, trust, respect, and rapport with children, teens, and moms.
• A demonstration of the understanding of abusive family dynamics, including intimate partner
violence, the cycle of abuse, power and control dynamics, trauma, cultural diversity issues, and child
abuse and neglect.
• Strong command of general technology including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite is
required; familiarity and understanding of information technology, including Salesforce, Tableau,
and Teams strongly preferred.
• Experience working in organizations with a successful track record in diversity and inclusion cultures
preferred.
• Act 33/34 and FBI Fingerprinting Clearances will be required.
About the benefits: WC&S offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including: generous
paid time off; health, vision, and dental insurance; short-term and long-term disability coverage; group life
insurance; retirement plan; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; and is a Public Service
(Student) Loan Forgiveness eligible employer.
WC&S is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to ensuring that both applicants and employees
are treated without discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity expression, national origin,
age, religion, disability status, sexual orientation/identity, citizenship status, veteran status, marital status or
any other protected characteristic.
TO APPLY:
To ensure consideration for an interview, please send a resume and cover letter via email with the subject
line “Children’s Behavioral Support Advocate” by November 19th to careers@wcspittsburgh.org.