Bilingual Counselor Advocate, Laurel House, Norristown, PA

Bilingual Counselor Advocate

Posted on: July 22, 2013
Application deadline: August 9, 2013
Posted by: Laurel House


POSITION SUMMARY

This position provides counseling, supportive services and advocacy to adults who have experienced domestic violence. Services are typically provided within a housing setting.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provides hotline callers with crisis and supportive counseling, information and referrals, and assistance with safety planning

1. Screens and admits hotline callers seeking shelter for domestic violence, properly documenting relevant information

1. Orients new residents to communal living and shelter life; sees that paperwork to be completed and/or signed by residents is done so properly

1. Conducts intakes of women in shelter, properly documenting each

1. Provides women in shelter with one-on-one supportive/options counseling in such areas as goal planning, domestic violence education, safety planning, etc., assisting them in working towards their goals by providing them with information on available resources and services; for example, housing, finances, health care, etc., and properly documenting each meeting

1. Facilitates house meetings (as applicable)

1. Facilitates process by which women exit the shelter, including checking rooms for readiness for the next woman and conducting exit interviews

1. Communicates/reviews each woman's activities at every shift change

1. Takes responsibility for the security of the shelter, its contents and the well-being of the women and their children

1. Conducts intakes within 48 hours of admission (or delegates to another counselor)

1. Ensures that resident service plan is updated and signed by resident on a weekly basis

1. Some Fiscal and Community Outreach Responsibilities

1. Management responsibility for a portion of the shelter caseload and directs follow-up activities for part-time relief advocates, volunteers and interns

1. Works with counseling department and shelter manager to plan and oversee programming for daily resident group meetings

1. Primary point of contact for any Spanish speaking clients and hotline callers if bilingual

1. Responsible for the overall appearance of the shelter including office space.

1. Responsible for greeting donors and ensuring the paperwork is complete

1. Responsible organizing and putting away donations 

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

1. Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint

2. CPR/First Aide (may be completed upon hire)

3. Criminal check and child abuse clearances will be required

4. Associates required BA/BS preferred

5. PCADV approved domestic violence training certificate (may be completed upon hire)

6. 2 years residential and/or experience working with domestic violence survivors

As with all other Laurel House employees, this position is held to the standards outlined in the Laurel House Personnel Manual. The Conflict of Interest policy outlined in the agency Personnel Manual will apply. Laurel House will not discriminate against a staff member because of race, disability, color, creed, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, veteran status, martial status, political belief or non-job related factors in hiring, promoting, demoting, training, benefits, transfers, lay-offs, terminations, recommendations, rates of pay or other forms of compensation. Opportunity is provided to all staff based on qualifications and job requirements.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send resume and cover letter to Erinn Fortson, Shelter Manager at efortson@laurel-house.orgbefore August 9, 2013