This is a job listing for Women's Resource Center
Job Description
Provide Crisis and Advocacy services in a manner consistent with the mission of WRC and in full compliance with all policies and procedures of the agency. Provide case management, crisis intervention, and empowerment counseling for WRC Safe Housing Program participants (including Rapid Re-housing); advocate for Safe House Program participants within the housing and welfare systems, economic and career-focused institutions, and other related areas. Assist Safe Housing Program participants in navigating systems, and conduct advocacy with various systems to ensure a response to the needs of survivors of domestic and sexual assault.
Responsibilities*:
- *Assess referrals to the Safe Housing Program and schedule and conduct initial interviews to determine eligibility as defined by WRC program guidelines and contractors.
- *Complete a History of Abuse with each Safe Housing Program participant to assess safety risks for the Safe Housing Program participant, her children, WRC advocates, and others; develop a safety plan for the delivery of services in accordance with WRC policies and procedures.
- *Develop and maintain working relationships with housing/property owners in the community, maintain an updated list of housing referrals and community resources and update the rent reasonableness spreadsheet for comparisons.
- *Coordinate initial inspection and lease signing with the landlord and Safe Housing Program participant.
- *Respond to issues, needs, and concerns of the landlord or the Safe Housing Program participant as related to the rental property.
- * Develop and monitor individual goal plans; provide case management, advocacy, and accompaniment in cooperation with the Safe Housing Program participant.
- *Facilitate economic stability by providing referral, advocacy, and accompaniment to organizations and institutions that address budget and credit counseling, career and educational development, housing needs, and other related economic needs.
- *Coordinate, schedule and facilitate group meetings with Safe Housing Program participant and their children.
- *Maintain client case records. Communicate essential information in appropriate logs in accordance with policy and procedure. Audit and update housing files on a monthly basis.
10. *Assist with data collection and entry into the housing database and funding reports as assigned.
- *Answer agency hotlines and respond to crisis situations involving program participants. Provide accompaniment to police, hospitals, and courts
- *Respond to initial contacts by program participants with the agency, prioritize requests for service based on critical needs and provide immediate support, information and linkages to all WRC services as needed.
- Attend staff meetings, participate in in-service training, and attend related professional activities as
- Assigned, including PCADV and ECOC RRH meetings and trainings.
- Uphold the mission of WRC and abide by WRC policies and procedures outlined in WRC General Operating Manual.
11. Other duties as assigned.
Economic & Housing Advocate:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work or related human services field, or a combination of three years of experience and skill in working with victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
- Demonstrate knowledge of domestic violence and /or sexual assault and a strong commitment to ending violence against women.
- Demonstrate commitment to feminist philosophy and the ability to use the empowerment counseling model.
- Demonstrate ability to apply WRC mission in daily practice.
- Demonstrate effective crisis intervention, case management, and counseling skills and the ability to facilitate groups.
- Demonstrate ability to act as an advocate on behalf of clients with a working knowledge of systems related to economic justice work including housing, welfare, and social service systems.
- Demonstrate ability to develop professional, caring relationships with program participants and function as part of a team with coworkers.
- Demonstrate ability to work well with people of various ethnic, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds.
- Demonstrate ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Must complete the training program of the Women’s Resource Center.
- Requires willingness to work and travel alone. Travel is required and access to reliable transportation is essential, including for training and development which may necessitate being out of the area for a period of overnight stays.
- Must pass Act 33, Act 34, and FBI background clearances.
*Indicates essential job functions as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act.