DV Advocate - $19+ - Full Time - Rotating Schedule

Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA; Washington (Washington County); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Scheduling

Paid Training

Competitive Pay

Annual education opportunities

Internal Advancement

Comprehensive Benefits (PTO, Sick Time

Agency Vehicle use

Job summary

Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA is seeking a DV Advocate to provide trauma-informed direct services, hotline counseling, safety planning, and advocacy to survivors. The role includes supervising volunteers, maintaining records, and coordinating with community resources to support clients through legal and protective processes.

The position requires flexibility to cover afternoon, evening, or overnight shifts, with training and opportunities for advancement within a supportive,

Qualifications

• Translatable work experience in advocacy or human-services fields.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to provide supervision, training, and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed direct services including hotline counseling, safety planning, information and referrals, and advocacy.
• Supervise and train worksite volunteers; maintain detailed electronic counseling records.
• Assist clients with service plans, legal options, and accompanying them to hearings or law enforcement as needed.
• Collaborate with community resources and participate in outreach and advocacy activities.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Confidentiality

Computer skills

Collaboration

Education

Advanced Degree

Job description

Do you feel strongly about helping and empowering people?

Are you at a point in your life where you're hoping to learn new skills?

Does helping to train volunteers sound rewarding?

DVSSP is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging. If you are excited about a role but your experience doesn't match every requirement in the job description, we encourage you to still consider applying. You may be a great fit and just the candidate we are looking for!

This role will primarily work afternoon or midnight shifts.

The Benefits of being a DV Advocate:

• Flexible Scheduling
• Paid Training
• Competitive Pay
• Annual education opportunities
• Internal Advancement
• All employment levels enjoy a Comprehensive Benefit package including PTO, Sick Time, and Agency Vehicle use for work related travel.
• Full time employment and certain levels of part time will enjoy the following additional benefits: Pension, Life Insurance, Extended Paid Leave, Medical/Dental/Vision, and eligibility for the Student Loan Forgiveness Program!

Like what you hear? Then let's get into more detail!

Job Duties

• As relevant to worksite, use an educative, supportive, trauma-informed model when providing direct service.
• Direct service includes telephone hotline counseling, safety planning, information and referrals, individual advocacy, individual counseling, transportation, support groups, and victim compensation assistance.
• Scheduling and completion of service plans and service plan updates; assist clients with their service plan work.
• Provide intakes and transportation as needed, arrange hotline coverage as warranted.
• While providing hotline counseling, offer education and information about other community options, particularly if DVSSP has no available beds.
• Report child abuse as mandated by law, reinforcing to volunteers that they are mandated reporters and required to report child abuse as directed by the requisite process in place.
• Supervise and train worksite volunteers as directed.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with othercommunityresources.
• Maintain detailed and timely electronic counseling records. Prepare and submit all statistics and reports as instructed.
• Counsel clients in legal options and expectations; support and assist clients in all aspects of the criminal and civil justice systems, accompanying them to hearings as requested. Accompany clients to law enforcement agencies and advocate on their behalf as requested. Assist clients in filing Protection From Abuse petitions, accompanying them to Southwestern PA Legal Services and advocating for them at hearings.
• Develop/maintain good working relationships with and assist in trainings to legal/law enforcement systems.
• Participate in community outreach and systems advocacy for Lethality Assessment Program.
• Participate in advocacy activities on behalf of domestic violence victims on a local, state, and national level to assure increased levels of awareness of domestic violence issues by policy makers and the public.
• Maintain daily computer data collection and necessary paperwork.
• Make prudent use of resources by monitoring consumption, minimizing waste, and offering suggestions for improving agency efficiency (g.travel expenses, office supplies).
• Maintain facility, staff, volunteer, and client confidentiality, assure adequate security and safety measures.
• Keep up to date with prevailing laws and local procedures pertaining to domestic violence.
• Complete trainings as directed by the Director of Client Services.
• Participate and promote DVSSP fundraising activities.
• Exhibit regular and reliable attendance.

Core Competencies

• Possesses vision and initiative to set and achieve goals with a willingness to do more than is required or expected in the job.
• Demonstrated genuine enthusiasm for learning new skills and assuming new/changing roles.
• Possesses confidence to make decisions and work in high pressure or crisis situations.
• Takes full accountability for meeting commitments and achieving expected results.
• Accepts challenges and uses creative approaches to assess and solve problems.
• Communicates effectively by using available technologies. Ensures that own communication is easily understood by speaking and writing clearly using standard grammar and spelling.
• Possesses comprehension of basic math skills and concepts.
• Provides a culturally competent and flexible approach when working with those from various cultures by acknowledging, accepting, and accommodating differences.
• Embraces evaluation techniques to ensure effective service delivery.
• Exhibits a primary prevention mindset as a means toward ending domestic violence.
• Supports and role models the core values of trauma informed care.
• Ability to work shifts that support a 24/7 operation.

Required Skills, Abilities, Education, Qualifications, and Experience

• Translatable work experience
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to provide on-going supervision, training, and professional development
• Collaborate with peers and other departments within the agency
• Working knowledge of community resources
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Proficient computer, Internet, and email skills

Preferred Skills, Abilities, Education, Qualifications, and Experience

• Advanced Degree or equivalent work experience

Clearances, Licenses, and Physical Requirements

• Final determination of suitability for employment will be contingent upon a successful:
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint processed in accordance with Public Law 92-522 and the Child Protective Services Law (Title 23, Pa C.S. Chapter 63), Federal Criminal History Background Check.
  • Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance.
  • PA State Police Report of Criminal History Clearance.
  • Reference Check
• Possess current PA driver's license, insurance, and reliable vehicle

DVSSP is a Equal Opportunity Employer