This is a job listing for YWCA Hanover
The Client Advocate provides direct services to victims/survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. YWCA Safe Home is a 501c (3) non-profit dedicated to empowering clients to achieve self-defined goals that will support their ability to obtain and maintain their personal safety and wellbeing. General duties include crisis intervention, legal advocacy and accompaniment, medical accompaniment, individual advocacy, safety, and goal planning, referral to/collaboration with other community resources, systems advocacy, 24-hour hotline assistance, options counseling, and filing of Protection from Abuse petitions. Additionally, the Client Advocate must be able to contribute, communicate effectively, and work well in a group setting to facilitate collaborative and trauma-informed direct client services. The Client Advocate is a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse as defined by PA Child Protective Services Law.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services, or a related field and/or equivalent experience in providing direct client services in a human services or non-profit setting. A combination of education and experience may be considered.
- One to two years’ working knowledge of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other serious crimes and their impact on victims, preferred. A combination of education and experience may be considered.
- Successful completion of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) training and program orientation within an established timeframe, post hire.
- Must pass criminal background check(s).
- Must have valid Driver’s License and have access to reliable transportation.
- Must travel in inclement weather, as needed.
- Must be able to travel between work locations, as needed.
- Must be able to maintain a flexible schedule to meet agency needs, including, but not limited to, working different shifts, and covering evening, weekend, and holiday hours for 24-hour crisis hotline.
- Must be well organized and adaptable to changes in daily schedules and the work environment.
- Responsible for on-call rotation of nights, weekends, and holidays, as scheduled
- Must have demonstrated ability to work in a professional, respectful, and diverse workplace environment.
- Maintain professional working relationships with people of differing backgrounds, ages, maturity, abilities, races, colors, creeds, genders, ancestry, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status, and experiences.
- Must be an effective written and verbal communicator, and able to draft documents in a clear and concise manner free of grammatical or other mistakes.
- Requires ability to maintain confidentiality, and to make appropriate decisions in crisis situations.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
- Must be able to keep necessary documentation, both written and computerized as required, including client services, case notes, safety/goal plans, referrals, time entry, mileage, and expenses.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide culturally competent and trauma-informed direct services to victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, including collaborating with Safe Home staff and volunteers to ensure a comprehensive and holistic approach to client services.
- Ensure that clients receive appropriate and accurate information and referrals, emergency housing, options counseling, transportation, safety planning, goal planning, legal and medical accompaniment, and individual, legal, and systems advocacy.
- Model trauma-informed care standards for clients and the community.
- Conduct in depth client intake and follow-up interviews.
- Maintain accurate and complete records of hotline calls, in person options counseling, legal proceedings, safety planning, goal planning, referrals, emergency housing, transportation, meetings, training sessions, and speaking engagements in compliance with both Safe Home internal policies and funder guidelines.
- May be responsible for facilitation of support group.
- Responsible for on call rotation as scheduled, including after hours, weekends, holidays, and office closures.
- Provide mobilized advocacy services by either transporting clients or traveling to off-site venues to offer victim services.
- Provide trauma informed support, accompaniment, and advocacy through the court system. Serve as a liaison with the legal system, (i.e., attorneys, magistrates, police, probation, and judges.)
- Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of PFAs (Protection from Abuse) orders and the enforcement of such.
- Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of human trafficking and its impact on the communities of Adams and York County, including providing direct services to human trafficking victims and community outreach.
- Attend all necessary and appropriate meetings, seminars, and trainings geared to increase effective client services and provide instruction about domestic violence issues as assigned.
- Participate in community education through public speaking as a Safe Home representative and advocate as assigned.
- Develop and maintain good working relationships with other social service providers to assist in inter agency referrals.
- Participate in domestic violence and human trafficking outreach and awareness events as assigned.
- Attend all program mandated professional development events, including meeting all continuing education requirements.
- Demonstrate strong crisis management and de-escalation skills.
- Must have demonstrated ability to counsel and communicate in a tactful and appropriate manner with traumatized individuals.
- Must be familiar with community resources and knowledgeable about options available to victims and survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.