Advocate

Interested parties must email resume and cover letters to Michelle Styma at mstyma@hopeshores.org

TITLE: Advocate

RESPONSIBLE TO: Advocacy Services Manager

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: None

TIME COMMITMENT: Full-Time/Non-Exempt minimum 32 hours/week

LOCATION: Oscoda Outreach and Services Center with travel to Alpena Office/Atlanta Office/Emergency Shelter/Mobile as needed

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Advocate supports the agency in employing a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to victim advocacy and system response to sexual violence, dating violence, stalking, and domestic violence in the 5-county service area by collaborating with survivors along their path towards their self-determined goals. They will exercise ethical and inclusive practices that are trauma-informed, survivor centered, and founded within an anti-oppression framework. They will understand and apply the Core Competencies of Advocacy to their work. The Advocate will collaborate with community partners and other systems, demonstrating a commitment to raising awareness, increasing understanding of Hope Shores mission, and improving access to resources and support for survivors and their support persons. They will be flexible in their scheduling to meet the varying scheduling needs of individuals with whom they are working. The Advocate is required to regularly travel across the 5-county service area of Alcona, Alpena, Iosco, Montmorency, and Presque Isle counties to meet survivors for appointments, court, other systems-based appointments, attend community meetings, and facilitate agency outreach efforts. They will be expected to work a rotating on-call shift that supports 24/7 crisis and support service delivery system to the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and/or the Domestic Assault Response Team (DART).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (Other duties may be assigned):

• Provide survivor-centered, strength-based, and trauma-informed advocacy and crisis intervention services to primary and secondary survivors of sexual violence, dating violence, stalking, and domestic violence.
• Empower survivors through navigation of self-determined goals including but not limited to, supportive listening, safety planning, planning/facilitation of support groups, connection with resources, community and/or intra-agency referrals, and accompaniment for legal, medical, and other crisis/emergency-based needs as requested with respect for survivors’ right to choose.
• Provide housing advocacy, housing placement, relocation, and assist with housing needs assessment.
• Work with survivors to create a goal-oriented housing plan that connects survivors to agency and community programs for support during their time enrolled in the housing program.
• Connect with survivors to identify additional desired supportive services such as education, training, job placement, treatment services, or other self-identified supports.
• Continually revisit and reassess the Individual Plan of Service alongside program participants and provide ongoing case management to support survivors with their self-identified goals.
• Engage in collaborative meetings, outreach, and community awareness events to enhance community partnerships, provide education, and advocate for increased survivor resources, bringing a trauma informed lens to discussion.
• Research and maintain current information regarding community support and resources.
• Support survivors in navigating civil and legal systems including assistance with criminal justice system referrals, crime victims’ compensation applications, Personal Protection Orders, court accompaniment, and meetings with law enforcement and prosecutors as requested.
• Utilize personal vehicle for meetings with or transport of survivors to appointments or other activities when resources allow and in conjunction with the Core Competencies of Advocacy definition of services.
• Document individual activity in compliance with agency funding sources guidelines and procedures.
• In compliance with state and federal confidentiality guidelines and laws, maintain the strictest level of information confidentiality.
• Adhere to the highest standards of ethics, maintaining professional boundaries and relationships with survivors, community partners and coworkers.
• Work rotating on-call shifts as a member of the SART/DART team, that support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year crisis and support service delivery system.
• Provide backup coverage for emergency shelter on a limited/emergent basis.
• Serve on a minimum of one agency/staff committee.
• Complete a minimum of 24 continuing education hours annually, and attend all training as required.
• Demonstrate commitment to our mission and community as an ambassador of Hope Shores Alliance, in personal and professional lives, exercising caution on how we speak about and interact with the community and other agencies.
• Perform additional program tasks as prescribed by supervision/administration.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Passion for social justice and the mission of the agency.
• High comfort level working in stressful environment and the ability to self-motivate.
• Willingness to be flexible in schedule and approach to address survivor needs and crisis situations.
• Apply the Core Competencies of Advocacy in their work.
• Remain committed to the elimination of racism, sexism, classism, homophobia and other forms of oppression and demonstrate an understanding of intersectionality and how identity impacts trauma.
• Demonstrate an openness to learn and teach about trauma-informed services and survivor-centered approaches when working with victims of sexual violence, dating violence, stalking, and domestic violence.
• Willingness to recognize and address one’s own privilege when working with diverse populations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative work style when approaching colleagues, survivors, and community partners.
• Willingness to be open-minded when learning new concepts or philosophies and an openness to changing perceptions and opinions in this movement-based work environment.
• While survivorship is not a requirement for employment with Hope Shores Alliance, we value the contributions survivors make in doing this work and we celebrate our shared collaboration in the movement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree preferred.
• Proficiency in creating and editing documents and trainings using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint and utilizing Outlook for electronic mail communications.
• Must successfully complete agency onboarding within the initial 30 days of employment.
• Must successfully complete MCEDSV’S New Service Provider Training or agency equivalent within 180 days of employment.
• Must successfully complete all other required job-related training within 180 days of employment.
• Must possess or attain First Aid and CPR certification within the first 180 days of employment as provided by Hope Shores Alliance.
• Must possess excellent communication skills and be comfortable engaging in challenging conversations and with diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and good driving record as well as provide proof of valid insurance.
• Must pass Criminal History, Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry, and State and National Sex Offender background checks.

We understand that violence disproportionately harms the most marginalized people in society, including people of color, LGBT+ folks, and people from impoverished backgrounds. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do and therefore we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.

Hope Shores Alliance is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment. Hope Shores Alliance prohibits discrimination against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, disability status, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, hearing or Deaf identity, class, economic status, education, familial status, partisan considerations, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, physical or mental abilities, weight, height, HIV status, substance use or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Employment with Hope Shores Alliance is "at-will" and is subject to termination by you or Hope Shores Alliance, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time. Nothing in agency policies will be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way the employment-at-will status of Hope Shores Alliance employees.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.75 per hour

Expected hours: 32 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person