Domestic Violence Victim Advocate - Black Hawk County, Iowa

Waypoint Services for Women Children and Families; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Waypoint is seeking a Domestic Violence Victim Advocate in Black Hawk County, Iowa. You will support adult and teenage survivors through advocacy, counseling, crisis intervention, and resource connections, helping them understand options and decisions that best support their safety and well-being.

You will educate the community, build partnerships, and advocate for greater awareness of domestic violence while growing professionally through required training and ICADV certification within the

Qualifications

• Four-year Human Services degree or equivalent required.
• Completion of ICADV certification within first year of employment.
• Experience with victims/survivors of domestic violence or related fields is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide short-term counseling, advocacy, and education to adult and teenage survivors.
• Provide on-site and mobile services to meet survivors where they are.
• Help survivors explore options, access resources, and make informed decisions.
• Facilitate support, educational, and healing groups.
• Provide crisis intervention and crisis-line support as needed.

Skills

Communication

Crisis intervention

Advocacy

Empathy

Education

Four-year Human Services degree or equivalent

Job description

Description

Domestic Violence Victim Advocate – Black Hawk County, Iowa

Make a difference. Support survivors. Strengthen our community.

Organizational Overview

For over 130 years, Waypoint has been dedicated to inspiring people to move forward. We continuously evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of individuals, children, and families in our community through a variety of services and resources. Through this work, we remain devoted to improving lives and strengthening our community.

Position Summary

As a Domestic Violence Victim Advocate at Waypoint, you’ll support adult and teenage survivors of domestic abuse through compassionate advocacy, short-term counseling, crisis intervention, education, and connection to resources.

This is more than a counseling role. You’ll walk alongside survivors as they navigate difficult circumstances, helping them understand their options and make decisions that are right for them. You’ll also have the opportunity to educate our community, build partnerships, and advocate for greater awareness and understanding of domestic violence.

If you’re someone who builds trust easily, stays calm in challenging situations, communicates with compassion, and believes in empowering people rather than making decisions for them, this could be the role for you.

Pay & Schedule

Location: Black Hawk County – Waterloo, Iowa

Starting Pay: $45,000 per Year

Schedule: Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week (hours may vary to meet agency and client needs)

Why You’ll Love This Job

• Your work has immediate impact. You’ll have the opportunity to support survivors during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
• No two days look exactly the same. You’ll balance individual advocacy, counseling, groups, crisis response, community education, and outreach.
• You’ll build meaningful relationships. You’ll walk alongside survivors, helping them identify their strengths, understand their options, and make decisions for themselves.
• You’ll connect with the community. From presentations to partnerships, you’ll help increase awareness and strengthen the community response to domestic violence.
• You’ll be part of something bigger. Your work contributes to Waypoint’s mission of creating safer, stronger communities and empowering people to move forward.
• You’ll continue to grow. Waypoint provides Victim Counselor Training (within your first 6 months) and supports your path toward Certified Advocate status through ICADV (required in first year of employment).

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will:

Support & Advocate for Survivors

• Provide short-term individual counseling, advocacy, and education to adult and teenage survivors of domestic abuse.
• Provide on-site and mobile services to meet survivors where they are.
• Help survivors explore options, access resources, and make informed decisions.
• Facilitate support, educational, and healing groups.
• Provide crisis intervention and support through crisis lines as needed.
• Make appropriate referrals for needs outside the scope of domestic violence services.

Educate & Engage the Community

• Provide presentations, workshops, and educational programming on domestic violence and related issues.
• Participate in community outreach and speaking engagements.
• Build relationships with community partners and participate in coalition-building efforts.
• Advocate for victims of crime and increase community awareness of domestic violence and available resources.

Support the Program

• Maintain accurate documentation and provide required statistical information for grant reporting.
• Participate in on-call responsibilities as assigned, including evening and weekend hours.
• Provide guidance and oversight to practicum students and volunteers as needed.

What You’ll Bring

The ideal person for this role is compassionate, resilient, adaptable, and able to build trusting relationships while remaining calm and professional in challenging situations.

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• Aligned with Waypoint’s values: Have Compassion, Instill Ownership, Empower People, and Embrace Diversity.
• Compassionate and nonjudgmental – You create a safe, respectful environment where survivors feel heard, valued, and empowered.
• Empowering – You help people identify their strengths, understand their options, and make their own informed decisions.
• Calm under pressure – You can respond thoughtfully and effectively during crisis situations and emotionally challenging conversations.
• A strong communicator – You listen actively, ask thoughtful questions, communicate clearly, and build trust with a wide range of people.
• Adaptable and resourceful – You can shift priorities, think creatively, and respond to changing needs without losing sight of what matters most.
• A relationship builder – You enjoy connecting with survivors, colleagues, community partners, and organizations to strengthen support for those impacted by violence.
• Comfortable speaking up and speaking out – You can confidently educate others, facilitate groups, lead presentations, and advocate for survivors and positive community change.
• Self-aware and professional – You understand the importance of boundaries, confidentiality, sound judgment, and taking care of yourself while doing challenging work.

What You’ll Need

This role requires a foundation in human services, the ability to meet program and on-call requirements, and a commitment to completing required victim advocacy training and certification.

It is beneficial if you have:

• Experience working with victims/survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or other forms of violence.
• Experience providing crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling, education, or other direct services.
• Experience with public speaking, community education, outreach, or coalition building.
• Knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault/abuse, including the role of power and control.

It is required that you:

• Have a four-year Human Services degree or equivalent combination of work, life, and volunteer experience.
• Complete Waypoint's Victim Counselor Training within the first six months of employment.
• Become a Certified Advocate through the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) within the first year of employment.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with Iowa Code Chapter 236 and program requirements.
• Be available for assigned on-call responsibilities, including evening and weekend hours.
• Be able to respond to on-call emergencies within 30–45 minutes when assigned.
• Have a valid driver's license and be insurable under Waypoint's insurance requirements.
• Successfully complete a Waypoint/DHS non-law-enforcement records check if required for the position.