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

PT Call Center Staffer, RAINN, Washington, DC

Part-time Call Center Staffer

Posted on: April 29, 2013

Application deadline: May 15, 2013

Posted by: Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)

DESCRIPTION

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is the nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE and the Online Hotline at rainn.org and publicizes the hotline's free, confidential services; educates the public about sexual assault; and leads national efforts to prevent sexual assault, improve services to survivors and ensure that rapists are brought to justice. The DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) launched the DoD Safe Helpline, operated by RAINN, which focuses on serving the DoD community.

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network has openings for Safe Helpline staffer positions. All hotline shifts will be completed from our office in downtown DC. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Answer crisis calls routed through online and telephone Safe Helpline services

- Provide compassionate and accurate crisis support and referral services to the DoD community

- Knowledgeable on eligibility requirements for Veteran Affairs

- Utilize crisis intervention best practices including safety planning, brainstorming and listening skills

- Enter non-personally identifying call information into helpline database

- Complete end of shift reports

- Working at least two holidays a year

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Must possess excellent communications skills (both oral and written)

- Must be familiar with instant messaging

- Must have basic computer and database proficiency

- Must be 18 years of age or older

- Must be able to attend an in-person training

- Must be comfortable discussing issues surrounding sexual violence

- Must pass a criminal background check (administered by RAINN)

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Veterans, prior Veterans Affairs employees, and prior MST Coordinators will be given priority

- Crisis hotline/intervention experience

- Bachelors degree in social work, psychology or related field

- Experience with military populations

SHIFTS

Part-time staff must be able to take at least 2 shifts a month. Also must be able to attend the monthly staff meetings.

The shifts are 7am-1pm, 1pm-7pm, 7pm-11pm/8pm-midnight, and 11pm-7am – 7 days a week.

Part-time, hourly

Salary: $11/hour

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a resume, cover letter and 2 references to Lindsy Gundrum at lindsyg@rainn.org.Incomplete applications will not be considered. In your cover letter please include whether or not you are willing to complete an overnight shift in addition to what shifts you would be available for.

Helpline Relief Shift Advocate, National Dating Abuse Helpline, Austin, TX

Helpline Relief Shift Advocate

Posted on: March 26, 2013
Posted by: National Dating Abuse Hotline

DESCRIPTION
The Helpline Relief Shift Advocate is a member of the National Dating Abuse Helpline and is supervised by the Helpline Shift Lead.
The Helpline Relief Shift Advocate is responsible for responding to incoming calls, chats and texts on the NDAH website from victims, advocates, general public and service providers and provides crisis intervention, safety planning, referrals, information and problem solving to all callers.

The term of employment is limited to a 1 year agreement.
The Helpline Relief Shift Advocate position is scheduled on a set schedule. Available shifts are:

1) Sat/Sun/Mon 11:45 pm -- 8:15 am (Overnight)
2) Mon/Wed/Fri 3:45 pm -- 12:00 am
3) Mon/Wed/Fri 3:45 pm -- 8:00 pm

Compensation: $9.25/hour

Due to NDAH's 24/7, 365 days per year operation, the Helpline Relief Shift Advocate will be required to work night, weekend, and holidays. This position requires a high level of empathy and sensitivity to all incoming inquiries.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Accepts calls and chats from victims and/or the general public. Provides referrals to local services; provides information/education about domestic violence. Accepts calls and chats from service providers; networks with service providers; receives updated service directory information from service providers. Places out-going conference telephone calls to service providers to advocate for NDAH callers' needs; refers unresolved problems between service providers and NDAH callers to Helpline Shift Supervisor; documents contacts and results. Advocates shall maintain standards of conduct that are empowerment-based and nonjudgmental; Advocates shall respond to all calls and chats in a professional manner with a tone of calmness, sensitivity, empathy and non-judgment; Advocates shall respond to all calls and chats with accurate information; Advocates shall make effective and efficient use of time and information for each NDAH call and chat session. Collects demographic information on all calls (including TTY calls), enters caller's needs and options discussed into computer program; documents referrals given to callers; maintains data entry records for worker activity codes. Respond to caller's requests for domestic violence materials (i.e. Brochures, flyers, posters, handouts and other promotional materials).

This description only includes essential functions of the job and does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow and any other job-related instruction and to perform any other job-related duties requested by his or her supervisor or management.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Professional and personal experience may substitute for educational requirements. 
Willingness to participate in extensive training program.
Experience/familiarity with computers. Knowledge of Word for Windows and Access preferred.
Ability to work shifts which will provide coverage for loveisrespect, National Dating Abuse Helpline during operational hours 24/7 hours, 365 days per year including holidays.
Ability to attend required meetings (including, but not limited to, Program Team and In-Service trainings), which may be scheduled during hours outside of the Advocate's regular schedule.
Ability to manage time and complete multiple activities within a time frame.
Demonstrated ability to manage high stress situations.
Ability to work as a team member, providing support and constructive feedback in interpersonal interaction.
Commitment to feminist and nonviolent perspective and behavior and willingness to work in such an environment.
Demonstrates initiative and the ability to be flexible and creative.
Ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
Ability to adjust work hours to requirements of the organization including occasional overtime as needed.
Ability to respond with empathy and support to victims in crisis situations and with sensitivity and awareness to diverse cultural, ethnic and social backgrounds, values, attitudes and languages. Commitment to concept of local, community, volunteer-based delivery of human services by domestic violence shelters and teen dating abuse agencies. Commitment to NDAH program philosophy.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS
Ability to read, write and converse in English, available to travel overnight occasionally and tolerate prolonged sitting or standing. Requires bending, stooping, lifting, and carrying objects up to 25 pounds, with or without accommodations and to effectively work long and at times odd hours while maintaining a sense of humor. Must have emotional and physical stamina to deal with a variety of stressful situations, including responses to complaints and internal and external interactions. Availability for local, state, national and international travel.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and minimum level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as exhaustive of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for the position. The employee will be required to perform any other job-related duties as required by the job objectives, the Chief Advancement Officer and the mission and philosophy of the agency. This description does not modify any employee's at-will-status and is not a contract for continued employment of any duration.

HOW TO APPLY
Visit http://www.loveisrespect.org/employment and download a full job description and an application and complete in its entirety. It can be emailed to employment@tcfv.org or faxed to 512.306.9887. A resume without an application will not be accepted. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO INDICATE THE SHIFT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ON THE APPLICATION.