DV Advocate - GBV Rapid Rehousing

Metropolitan Family Services; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

HSA employer contribution

Teladoc services

401K match

Job summary

Metropolitan Family Services seeks a DV Advocate for the Gender Based Violence Rapid Rehousing Program at the Calumet Center in Chicago. The role involves direct housing support for survivors, crisis intervention, safety planning, and advocacy to connect clients with community resources.

You will document progress and work within contract and grant expectations. Responsibilities include developing housing service plans, coordinating with internal programs, and attending mandatory supervision.

Qualifications

• Minimum high school diploma or GED with 4 years’ work experience, or an associate’s degree with 2 years’ experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services or related field; CDVP preferred.
• Illinois CDVP certification preferred; 40-hour DV training preferred at time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct housing support services to survivors of gender-based violence and their children in person, virtually, or by phone.
• Assess needs and respond with short-term, strengths-based interventions.
• Develop and review housing service plans with clients and track progress.
• Maintain knowledge of MFS programs and community resources; link to services as needed.
• Complete case notes and documentation in a timely manner.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Safety planning

Emotional support

Advocacy

Case management

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree in social work/psychology/human services

Illinois CDVP certification

40-hour Domestic Violence training

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 with theGender Based Violence Rapid Rehousing Program at our Calumet Center!

SALARY:

• The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $42,000 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 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 housing 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.
• Addresses housing related issues including lease.
• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Training: 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.
• High School diploma or GED equivalent plus 4 years’ work experience or associate’s degree plus 2 years’ work experience, preferably in the field of gender-based violence or a social services-related capacity.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field. Experience in social services and/or the field of gender-based violencepreferred. Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (CDVP) certificationpreferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screenings and background checks.

TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Driving for work required with 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.

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.

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.

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.

Required

High School or better.

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.