Per Diem Advocate

Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis Inc; Meriden (CT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Part time

Job summary

Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis, Inc. seeks a Per diem Advocate to provide support, advocacy and safety planning for adult domestic violence victims seeking shelter or outreach services.

The role emphasizes empowering clients to exercise self-determination while upholding confidentiality and agency protocols. Responsibilities include client intake, safety planning, 24-hour hotline coverage, group facilitation, education, referrals, and collaboration with community resources.

Qualifications

• Two years of higher education or equivalent work experience.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to gather and present client information via interviews and records.
• Knowledge of community resources and collaboration with systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide client intake and assessment including sheltering women and families.
• Develop safety plans for leaving or staying and long-range planning.
• Provide individual domestic violence counseling and advocacy.
• Cover 24-hour domestic violence hotline and back-up rotation as needed.
• Provide information and referrals to community resources and services.
• Advocate with outside systems to meet client needs.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Crisis intervention

Advocacy

Record-keeping

Education

Two years of higher education

Job description

Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis, Inc.

Position Title: Per diem Advocate

Basic Functions:

To provide support, advocacy, safety planning and educational services to adult victims of domestic violence who come to the domestic violence program for sheltered and/or non-sheltered services. This position is to be carried out while empowering victims with respect to their safety and their right to self-determination.

Reports To:

Advocate positions will be supervised by the Director of Programs and ultimately accountable to the Executive Director.

Class:

Non-Exempt, Bargaining

Hours per month

based on availability and shifts picked up

Areas of Responsibility

This position requires work assignments and responsibilities such as, but not limited to:

• Provide client intake and assessment, including sheltering women and families in accordance with agency protocols
• Assist clients in developing individualized safety plans including plans for leaving, for staying and for long-range planning
• Assist parents in developing safety plans which include their children
• Provide individual domestic violence counseling and advocacy
• Provide coverage to 24-hour domestic violence hotline
• May serve as a member of the 24-hour hotline back-up rotation if desired
• Provide Coverage to the Holiday Schedule
• Provide clients with information and referral to community services and resources
• Advocate with outside systems regarding clients’ needs
• Facilitate support/education groups
• Other services as deemed necessary
• Provide written educational information to adult clients about domestic violence, its effects on victims, as well as its effects on children
• Provide to adult clients a state and local listing of available resources
• Provide information regarding state victim compensation resources

General

• Maintain accurate service records and submit all required statistics in a accordance with agency due dates
• Attend and participate in regular meetings called by MWC, CCADV and other meetings as scheduled, including training programs developed for Advocates
• Must uphold privileged communication of clients and all responsibilities of mandatory reporting
• Provide peer coverage to critical tasks such as court-based family violence victim advocacy as needed
• Maintain vacant shelter rooms for immediate occupancy
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

At least two years of higher education (college or equivalent) OR A combination of education and relevant work experience totaling two years

• Commitment to working with domestic violence victims and their children to develop a plan for their safety and preserve their right to self-determination.
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to gather, consolidate and present client information through interviews
• Knowledge of community resources
• Ability to work effectively with both traditional and non-traditional systems
• Ability to maintain service records, complete accurate statistical and narrative reports and submit in accordance with due dates
• Must obtain and maintain certification as battered women’s counselor, as per CGS 52-146k

Schedule

Weekend shifts are left open for guaranteed hours, other open shifts will be released as available

Additional shifts may be available to pick up, and staff may be contacted for back-up coverage as needed. This role offers flexibility and is well-suited for someone looking to support the team on a part-time or occasional basis. This position will require availability for flexible hours as needed to meet the needs of the organization.

Mandatory Training:
All new hires must complete Certification online- unpaid

Special Requirements

This position requires periodic travel. A valid driver’s license and current certificate of insurance is required for personnel who may travel in their scope of service to Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis. Criminal, Department of Children and Families and Department of Motor Vehicles background checks are required for all staff to confirm suitability for employment.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Stand/Sit – Stationary Position
  Must be able to remain in a stationary position for approximately 50% of the time.

• Walk/Move/Traverse
  Occasionally moves about inside the office and residential buildings to access file cabinets, office equipment, and other areas.

• Use of Hands/Fingers – Operate/Inspect/Position
  Frequently operates a computer and other office productivity equipment such as a telephone, printer, copier, and calculator.

• Climb or Balance – Ascend/Descend/Traverse
  Occasionally ascends/descends stairs and ladders, including daily stair use and occasional ladder use to service lights or ceiling fans.

• Stoop, Kneel, Crouch, or Crawl – Position Self/Move
  Frequently required to stoop or kneel to maintain files, work with small children, or complete related tasks.

• Talk/Hear – Communicate/Exchange Information
  Must be able to clearly communicate and exchange accurate information with clients, staff, and others.

• See – Observe/Assess/Inspect
  Must have the ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet).

• Carry/Lift – Move/Transport/Position
  Frequently moves boxes weighing up to 20 pounds between offices and residential buildings. May also assist with event setup and takedown.

• Work Environment – Indoor/Outdoor Conditions
  The role involves exposure to both indoor and outdoor environments, including variable weather conditions.