Domestic Violence Youth Advocate, Congreso de Latinos Unidos

Posted by Congreso de Latinos Unidos on March 20, 2017

The Domestic Violence Youth Advocate is responsible for providing trauma-informed domestic violence counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy, case management and linkage to community resources to children, adolescents and families who have witnessed/experienced domestic violence. This position will conduct an initial intake and provide on-going advocacy, case management and follow-up per service plan. Work will be conducted at Congreso’s main office, local schools, and domestic violence shelters and within the community.

The Domestic Violence Youth Advocate will have internal contacts with the entire administrative staff and external contact with clients, community resources, and the community. This position has access to sensitive Congreso information and is expected to handle such information with integrity and professionalism. This position has regular contact with members of the community and is expected to represent Congreso in a professional manner.

The Domestic Violence Youth Advocate will report directly to the Family Services Coordinator and participate in department activities as necessary. In the absence of the Family Services Coordinator the Youth Advocate will be supervised by the Program Manager.

Essential Functions
1. Conduct trauma informed domestic violence counseling to a specific number of children who are witnesses of Domestic Violence as defined by the agency and funding source.
2. Provide ongoing crisis intervention, advocacy and resources.
3. Conduct an initial client intake, which includes: an agreement to services, a needs assessment, psychosocial evaluation, and the development of a service and safety plan.
4. Maintain accurate and up-to-date client files and documentation.
5. Conduct client follow-up as specified in the client service plans and as needed by child.
6. Assist with coverage of the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline, as scheduled by the Coordinator.
7. Comply with all client confidentiality regulations as specified by agency, funding source, local, state and federal regulations
8. Assist in handling client crisis and emergency situations, and promptly report all incidents involving clients to the program coordinator.
9. Regularly attend and actively participate in staff meetings, staff training sessions, case reviews, etc.
10. Submit monthly programmatic narrative and statistical reports to the program coordinator.
11. Participate in systems wide advocacy efforts and activities as assigned.
12. Develop and maintain working relationships with local school counselors for the purpose of increasing client referrals.
13. Provide off-site counseling to children who are witnesses of domestic violence at local Elementary and High Schools, partner domestic violence agencies, community centers, at home of housing clients and domestic violence shelters.
14. Conduct a Support Group for Children and Adolescents.
15. Work with non-offending parents to provide individual and group trauma informed, parenting after violence education and coaching. Work with the whole family around parenting after violence based on safety assessment as appropriate.

Non-Essential Functions
1. Attend relevant workshops or join professional groups as necessary to maintain professional knowledge and licensure.
2. Participate in all PCM specific trainings, quality circles, and other forums, and apply the tools and approaches outlined in the PCM framework within all service delivery.
3. Participate in assigned outreach events that may occur during after regular business hours and weekends with the purpose of creating awareness of domestic violence and providing information about resources and services in the community.
4. Adheres to the Congreso’s security guidelines and ensures the appropriate handling of sensitive information.
5. Facilitates and attends relevant staff meetings to promote communication and execution of goals.
6. Completes special projects specific to the function of the department or as needed for the department as directed by Supervisor.
7. Other duties as assigned within the scope of position expectations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Career Pathway: Direct Services)
All Staff Competencies
 Basic understanding of Congreso’s mission, vision, values, programs and services, and business plan.
 Knowledgeable about the impact of trauma on children and families
 Knowledge of basic client management procedures (PCM Model) for determining eligibility, assessing needs, identifying resources, making referrals, following up, and documenting client interactions and proactively supporting client’s pursuit of education and employment goals throughout the agency without regard to program service.
 Knowledge and understanding of the targeted community needs and demographics.
 Understanding of legal criteria for issues such as confidentiality, domestic abuse, child abuse, and mandated reporter requirements.
 Ability to provide nonviolent intervention with a high level of ethical standards of conduct, cultural sensitivity and within appropriate boundaries and limits.
 Ability to effectively use standard office equipment.
 Possesses strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by compassionate, courteous, cordial, cooperative, and professional interaction with diverse groups of co-workers, external business partners, and the community.
 Ability to operate a computer and use a variety of common software programs including Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, UNIDAD, and customized databases.
 Adheres to all Congreso and departmental policies and procedures.
 Attends all Congreso in-services as required.
 Strong written and verbal communication skills and effectively communicate with individuals and groups.
 Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Direct Services Staff Competencies
 Knowledge of legal and political issues, and community resources and benefits that impact and/or benefit the targeted client needs.
 Knowledge of basic client management procedures (PCM Model) for determining eligibility, assessing needs, identifying resources, making referrals, following up, and documenting client interactions and proactively supporting client’s pursuit of self-sufficiency goals throughout the agency without regard to program service.
 Demonstrates understanding and knowledge of the Latino culture and availability of North Philadelphia community resources.
 Ability to effectively interview and engage a client in appropriate programming.
 Ability to exercise conversational English and Spanish.
 Ability to effectively conduct one on one advocacy and/or educational presentations.
 Ability to work in a team structure – demonstrating ability to collaborate and contribute to the team’s work.

Experience, Education, and Licensure
Minimum Experience: 1-3 years work experience in child counseling and advocacy. Some experience facilitating groups.

Minimum Education: BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration in counseling, psychology, social work or related field of study. Suitable combination of education and two to three years direct counseling experience in related field may be considered in lieu of Bachelor’s degree requirement.

Certification/License: 40+hours domestic violence training certificate from an approved PCADV training program preferred.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or equipment; reach with hands and arms; balance; talk or hear. The employee will occasionally climb stairs; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; taste or smell.
2. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
3. Operate related office equipment and use necessary tools.
4. Use established universal precaution methods and equipment while completing duties.
5. Specific vision abilities required by the job include frequent reading and close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
2. Although work is primarily indoors, you will be required to travel outside to client and community locations.
3. Position may require occasional trips to attend conferences seminars, and meetings.
4. Certain visits or work related appointments might be scheduled outside of traditional work hours as necessary.
Nothing in this position description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

To Apply
To apply for this position please submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements here.

https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=congresodl&jobId=183505&lang=en_US&source=CC3

For more information about Congreso and other career opportunities please go to http://www.congreso.net.

EEOC
Congreso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Congreso is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all employees and all applicants for employment. All employment decisions at Congreso are made without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability or military/veteran status, or any other protected class as set forth under applicable State, Local and Federal Civil Rights Laws.

About Congreso
Congreso is a multi-service nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen Latino communities through social, economic, education, and health services; leadership development and advocacy. Founded in Philadelphia in 1977, Congreso has grown into a national thought leader on nonprofit performance management with an expert focus on the Latino community. Congreso is anchored by its innovative Primary Client Model (PCM™), and provides direct services to residents of the Philadelphia region while providing consult to other nonprofits and government systems nationally.