DV Advocate

Metropolitan Family Services; Westmont (IL); On-site; USD 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision coverage

HSA contributions $2,000/$4,000 family

Teladoc services for all teammates

401K with 4% employer match

Job summary

Metropolitan Family Services seeks a full-time DV Advocate for the DuPage Team.Responsibilities include direct survivor services, safety planning, advocacy, and program collaboration. The role supports crisis intervention in-person, virtual, or by phone, with a focus on trauma-informed care and community outreach.

The position offers a $1,000 sign-on bonus for first-time employees, with salary in the $44,000–$48,000 range depending on experience, plus a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED with 4+ years in social services or gender-based violence preferred.
• Emergency shelter experience required.
• 40-hour DV training preferred; must be completed at hire if possible.
• CDVP certification preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct services to survivors and their children in person, virtually, or by phone.
• Assesses survivor needs and responds with strengths-based interventions.
• Develops and reviews a service plan with client goals and progress.
• Maintains knowledge of MFS programs and community resources; facilitates linkages.
• Administers assessments and outcome tools at designated intervals.
• Attends supervision and program/agency meetings; collaborates with teams to provide comprehensive services.
• Completes case notes and documentation timely and accurately.
• Adheres to contract, grant, and program expectations and reporting timelines.
• Stays informed on DV field developments and attends relevant trainings.

Skills

Empathy

Verbal and written communication

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Professional boundaries

Education

High School diploma or GED + 4+ years experience

Associate’s degree + 2+ years experience

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work / Psychology / Human Services

40-hour Domestic Violence training

Illinois CDVP certification

Job description

If asked to describe the culture at Metropolitan Family Services, we could do that in one word. COMMUNITY! Reflected in both our internal culture as well as through the services we provide, community is at the heart of all we do.

Metropolitan Family Services(MFS) empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Are you looking to have an impact on more than just a company’s bottom line? Then we’d love to hear from you!

We are now hiring for a full-time DV Advocate to join our DuPage Team!

SALARY: The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $44,000 to $48,000 annually.Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level.

$1,000 Sign-On Bonus for first time employees with MFS! ($500 on the first paycheck and $500 after one year of employment)

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provides direct services to survivors of domestic abuse and/or their children, including crisis intervention, safety planning, emotional support, advocacy, life skills
  development, parenting support, information, and/or referrals. Direct services provided to clients may be in-person, virtual, or by phone and may be conducted in
  individual, group, family, or communal settings.
• Assesses and effectively responds to the needs of survivors seeking supportive services using short-term, strengths-based interventions.
• In partnership with the client, develops and regularly reviews a service plan that describes the client’s goals while receiving services and tracks their progress in the
  achievement of those goals.
• Develops and maintains a strong working knowledge of MFS programs and community-based resources. May facilitate linkages with services both within MFS
  and in the community.
• Administers any required assessments and outcome tools at their designated intervals.
• Attends any mandatory group supervision and program/agency meetings.
• Participates in a team-oriented approach by collaborating with departmental staff and other programs to provide comprehensive services for clients.
• Completes paperwork in a timely manner, including case notes and other documentation needed for a client’s file.
• Works within contract, grant, and program expectations, including meeting timelines and reporting requirements.
• Remains cognizant of current developments in the field of domestic violence. Attends appropriate workshops, conferences, etc. to enhance professional development and understanding of issues in the field.
• Establishes and maintains contact with local agencies, organizations, and partnering sites as appropriate; effectively and professionally represents Metropolitan Family Services and the domestic violence program in the community.
• Provides services in accordance with the Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals’ code of ethics.
• Other duties specific to the needs of the particular site or program where this position is based.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent plus 4+ years’ work experience or Associate’s degree plus 2+ year work experience, preferably in the field of gender-based violence or in a social service-related capacity, required.
• Experience working in an emergency shelter environment is highly beneficial, required.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field, preferred.
• Experience in social services and/or the field of gender-based violence, preferred.
• 40-hour Domestic Violence training preferred at time of hire. This training is required at first opportunity upon hire and must be completed prior to any contact with DV program clients or their personally identifying information, preferred.
• Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (CDVP) certification, preferred.
• Schedule: 7AM - 3PM, 3PM - 11PM, or Night Shift 11PM-7AM, required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of community resources, advocacy and crisis intervention skills, and an understanding of trauma and Trauma-Informed Care is beneficial.
• Empathic, non-judgmental, service-oriented attitude in work with clients. Recognizes domestic violence survivors as the experts of their own lives and partners with clients to identify and build upon their strengths.
• Ability to respond appropriately in varied situations and to function with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work and problem-solve both independently and collaboratively within a team environment, demonstrating professionalism, flexibility, and mature judgment.
• Must demonstrate self-awareness, insight, and commitment to ongoing professional growth. Models healthy boundaries and good self-care with clients and coworkers.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and demonstrate understanding and effectiveness in working with diverse populations.
• Additional skills may be required specific to the particular program or site where this position is based.
• Must be able to accommodate flexibility in work schedule, which may include some variable evenings and/or weekends.
• Must be able to operate general office equipment and have basic computer knowledge.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screenings and criminal background checks.

TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Driving not required. Travel to different sites required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal.

Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package. Find out more by clicking here !

Some highlights include:

• Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, and Vision Coverage.
• Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual, and $4,000 to family, HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date.
• FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
• Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.

And so much more! Make sure you click here to see the full suite of benefits offered!

Some of the above benefits are available for part-time and temporary workers, but not all. Be sure to inquire upon your hire as to which benefits apply to you.

MORE ABOUT US:

Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.

Qualifications

Skills

Preferred

Verbal and Written Communication

Advanced

Organizational Skills

Advanced

Interpersonal Skills

Advanced

Creative

Intermediate

Some Knowledge

Analytical Skills

Intermediate

Behaviors

Preferred

Team Player

Team Player

: Works well as a member of a group

Innovative

: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Functional Expert

Functional Expert

: Considered a thought leader on a subject

Enthusiastic

: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Detail Oriented

Detail Oriented

: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Dedicated

Dedicated

: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

Preferred

Goal Completion

Goal Completion

: Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks

Ability to Make an Impact

Ability to Make an Impact

: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.