Domestic Violence Adult Advocate

Position Description

Domestic Violence Adult Advocate

Since 1989, Rivers of Hope (ROH) has ensured that adult and youth victims living in the midst of violence and crisis receive a rapid response and ongoing support to ensure long-term safety and independence. The organization serves residents of Sherburne and Wright Counties and is the primary provider of community advocacy and support services for victims of domestic violence in these communities.

The mission of Rivers of Hope is to promote a community coordinated response to end family violence through advocacy, education, and interagency collaboration.

Job Profile and Reporting Relationships
As part of a team of advocates, the Adult Advocate is responsible for providing direct support to adult victims of domestic violence in need of crisis intervention and support services in Sherburne and Wright Counties. This non-exempt position focuses on crisis intervention, assessment, safety planning, community collaboration, and referrals for adult victims of domestic violence while collaborating with the Youth Advocate team on behalf of children and youth victims. This work is primarily done in-person or over the phone, but can also be completed in the community or online. The Adult Advocate reports to the Program Director.

Key Duties and Responsibilities
General Advocacy to Clients

• Offer safety planning, needs assessment, and resource referrals.
• Assist clients in finding shelter, securing basic needs, and arranging transportation.
• Facilitate support/educational groups for survivors.
• Facilitate community presentations in jails, schools and community events.

Legal Advocacy Services

• Inform client of Victim Rights.
• Assist victims in making a police report and/or filing and Order for Protection or Harassment Restraining Order.
• Accompany victims to court and prepare her/him for the court procedure or for an upcoming court date.
• Provide advocacy services on behalf of the client to understand and effectively navigate process through contacts with professionals within the court and law enforcement systems.
• Establish, build and maintain professional relationships within the court and legal system. This may include contacts with judges, attorneys, prosecutors, court administration, probation officers and law enforcement.
• Assist victims with reparations applications and appropriate follow up concerning court cases.
• Accompany the clients to court and other law enforcement locations to offer support and additional advocacy as needed.
• Track client cases when requested by client through the Criminal Justice system in order to monitor, report and perform appropriate follow-up. Service Coordination and Community Collaboration
• Provide suggestions of community resources that will best help clients.

Organizational Support

• Work with all staff in providing positive public relations to represent and carry out the mission of Rivers of Hope, including but not limited to community outreach and fundraising events.
• Attend appropriate training to enhance professional skills.
• Attend staff meetings and other meetings as required.
• Function as an active member in a small office, answering phones, etc. as needed.
• Experience providing services to victims of domestic violence, including advocacy and case management services.
• Experience, ability, and willingness to communicate and work well with staff and clients from a variety of racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds, and with various religious beliefs, lifestyles, sexual orientation, identities, age variance and differing abilities.
• Ability to show leadership and exercise mature and sound judgment in problem-solving and the decision-making process.
• Strong crisis intervention skills with ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks under stressful conditions.
• Excellent analytical, decision-making, time management and organization skills.
• High degree of confidentiality, diplomacy, discretion and tact.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and strong information technology, database, organizational and record-keeping skills.

FLSA Classification
Non-Exempt, Part-Time
The above statements are not intended to encompass all functions and qualifications of the position. Rather, they are intended to provide a general framework of the requirements of the position. Job incumbents may be required to perform other functions not specifically addressed in this position description.

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES

Rivers of Hope recognizes that employees play different but equally important roles. Everyone associated with ROH must recognize the impact her or his role plays in our overall success. The success and future opportunities for individual employees is built around the overall success of the organization. Everyone associated with ROH is to project a professional image. Our practices will remain congruent with the mission and strategic plan. Because of this, the following principles and practices have been adopted by the staff team and we strive to live by them:

Mission Integrity and Value Base – We are dedicated to the mission of the organization and focus on its accomplishment. We are value-centered and act on the values of shared leadership, mutual respect, equality, trust and compassion.

Accountability/Reliability – We are committed to carrying our weight or saying when unable to do so. We understand our roles and are accountable for our responsibilities. We work to understand and respect the roles of others. We keep our work on track and on time.

Honesty, Trust, and Confidentiality – We trust that we can be truthful and will be safely heard. We are confident that others will act in an equally trustworthy way. We will communicate with each other directly and privately and be patient with each other. We respect the confidentiality of our colleagues and constituencies. We follow the ethics of our respective professions.
Mutual Respect and Civility – We follow the Golden Rule and treat others as we would like to be treated. We respect the ideas and opinions of others and generously contribute our own. We clearly communicate and respect the boundaries of our work while respecting the boundaries of others. We respect one another’s culture, history, and humanity. We honor and include everyone’s expertise and treat everyone as an equal.

Non-violent Communication and Acceptance – We observe without judgment and understand the feelings and needs behind our own actions and the actions of others. We make clear and doable requests to meet our needs and the needs of others. We act out of the belief that while our strategies may come into conflict, our needs do not. Through this communication we find solutions that meet all our needs.

Shared Leadership – We empower all stakeholders (leaders, co-workers, constituencies and clients), by listening and responding to their needs. We recognize each other’s expertise. We are team players who help our co-workers accomplish their goals when invited to do so. We offer help whenever we can.

Excellence – We are committed to excellence and to achieving our fullest potential as individuals and as an organization.

Stewardship – We are good stewards of the people, programs, and resources entrusted to us by the public and funders. We responsibly safeguard all aspects of the organization in full participation with the community.

Flexibility and Creativity – We promote and accept change. We have the freedom to make mistakes and we strive to grow and learn from them. We work to expand our knowledge and skills/abilities.

Balance of Work and Life – We achieve a balance of work and life with the flexibility to meet the needs of both. We keep our job responsibilities in perspective and create opportunities to celebrate joy and have fun with one another

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $19.00 per hour

Expected hours: 15 – 25 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance

Ability to Commute:

• Monticello, MN 55563 (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Required)

Work Location: In person