DV Advocate - DV Navigation Program

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

HSA contributions

Teladoc services

401K match

Job summary

Metropolitan Family Services is seeking a full-time DV Advocate for the GBV Housing Navigation Program at the Calumet office. The role focuses on direct housing support for survivors and their children, safety planning, and advocacy.

You will collaborate with staff to develop service plans, connect clients with community resources, and ensure timely documentation. A background in social services and a commitment to trauma-informed care are essential.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED plus 4+ years’ work experience or associate’s degree plus 2+ year work experience, preferably in social services or gender-based violence.
• Experience working in an emergency shelter environment is required.
• Bi-lingual/bicultural preferred and may be required for certain sites.
• Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (CDVP) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct housing support services to survivors of gender-based violence and/or their children, in-person.
• Assesses needs and develops a service plan with client progress tracking.
• Establishes connections to community resources and services.
• Completes paperwork including case notes and documentation for files.
• Responds to crisis situations and maintains safety planning and advocacy.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Advocacy

Trauma-informed care

Empathy and communication

Team collaboration

Time management

Education

High School diploma or GED + 4+ yrs experience

Associate’s degree + 2+ yrs experience

Bachelor’s degree inrelated field (preferred)

Tools

Infonet

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 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-timeDV Advocatewith theGBV Housing Navigation Programto join ourCalumetoffice.

SALARY:

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

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provides direct housing support services to survivors of gender-based violence 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 will be in-person.
• Assesses and effectively responds to the needs of survivors seeking supportive services using short-term, strengths-based interventions.
• In partnership with the client, develops a service plan that describes the client’s needs 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 linkages to support services including transportation, childcare assistance, clothing and uniform assistance.
• Records family progress in Infonet and case files.
• Handles emergency and crisis situations with clients.
• 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.

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.

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 capacityrequired.
• Experience working in an emergency shelter environment isrequired.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related fieldpreferred.
• Experience in social services and/or the field of gender-based violencepreferred.
• Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (CDVP) certificationpreferred.
• Bilingual/biculturalpreferredand may be required for particular programs or sites
• 40-hour Domestic Violence training preferred at time of hire. This training isrequiredat first opportunity upon hire and must be completed prior to any contact with DVprogram clients or their personally identifying information.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screenings and criminal background checks.

TRANSPORTATION/TRAVEL REQUIRMENTS:

• Driving for work requiredwith a personally owned vehicle.Travel between 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, Guardian Dental Coverage, and VSP 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.