Job Description
Position: Advocate
Program: Domestic Violence
Reports to: D.V. Program Manager, Operations
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Approved: 4/1/2022
The Domestic Violence Advocate is primarily responsible for crisis line and shelter operations. This position is often the first point of contact with Freedom House that stakeholders and clients will encounter. As such, it requires excellent communication skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to multitask in high-stress situations.
Preserving Freedom House’s Mission
- Serving as a public representative of the organization to build awareness of and commitment to Freedom House’s mission and work.
- Actively reinforcing organizational culture and agreements; maintain good relations with staff members and abide by all agency confidentiality policies.
Essential Responsibilities
This includes but is not limited to:
- Providing initial contact for clients and members of the public. Situated at the front desk, the Advocate is responsible for handling the flow of individuals (clients, staff, stakeholders, etc.) and telephone callers that initiate contact with Freedom House. The position is responsible for greeting and assessing the initial contact and making appropriate referrals for service.
- Maintaining safety and security of the facility. Working with staff, clients, and emergency personnel to provide a cooperative response to situations for fire, police, and weather emergencies.
- Documenting all client contact, advocacy, referrals, and community contacts as necessary and according to internal and external requirements.
- Thorough knowledge of community resources for client/caller requests for resources and referrals.
- Attend required training and regularly scheduled program/all-staff meetings.
- Crisis intervention
- Working with agency staff to provide office and clerical support (office and program supplies, duplication, agency mail sorting, etc.
- Maintaining order and cleanliness of office and shelter.
- Provide case management to shelter clients, as well as non-residential clients to assist development and implementation of a service plan, including but not limited to, seeking housing, education, employment, and childcare.
- Mandatory on-call and holiday rotation.
- Schedule flexibility to meet the needs of the agency and clients.
- Providing Domestic Violence Education.
- Outreach to clients in a variety of settings that may include courts, hospitals, or other social service agencies.
- Maintaining ethical boundaries with clients.
Other Responsibilities
- Supports and follows agency policies and procedures; complies with confidentiality policies.
- Maintains professional relations with clients, staff members, and community visitors.
- Routine contact and follow-up with referral sources.
- Collaboration with outside sources and agencies which may include public education presentations.
- Maintains agency records and workspace in an orderly fashion.
- Serves as a Mandated Reporter
- Other duties as assigned by the supervisor
Qualifications/Skills/Knowledge Requirements
- At least one years’ experience in a similar position
- Bilingual preferred
- Strong leadership qualities and experience
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to maintain electronic and paper filing systems
- Demonstrated proficiency with computer software applicants utilized by the agency, including Microsoft Office Suite
- Attention to detail, accurate data entry, and ability to work independently.
- Experience, ability, and willingness to communicate and work well with survivors from a variety of racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds and with various religious beliefs, lifestyles, sexual orientations, age variances, and differing abilities
- Continuing Education as required
- Successful completion of sixty (60) hours of combined Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault training by an ICDVP certified training site.
- Possession of a valid Illinois Driver’s License and proof of insurance.
- Ability to represent the agency professionally and effectively in a variety of settings;
- Ability to work independently and effectively with all agency staff and with multiple outside agencies
- Ability to comply and pass a background check including drug testing
Application process
Complete the Freedom House application from our website: www.freedomhouseillinois.org
Send a cover letter, completed application, and a resume listing work experience, education, salary history and requirements, and references to: DV Program Manager, Operations – confidential
Freedom House, 440 Elm Place, Princeton, IL 61356
Or email the required documents to the following (MSWord, or PDF attachments): akillian@ freedomhouseillinois. com
Freedom House does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military status or sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Freedom House will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unrelated to the ability to perform one’s job unless doing so would result in an undue hardship to the organization. Employment with Freedom House is employment-at-will, meaning it is voluntarily entered into and may be terminated at any time, without or with cause, by the employee or by Freedom House. Posting this does create a commitment on Freedom House to fill the position.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $19.50 - $19.85 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 32 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- 403(b) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Every weekend
- Morning shift
- On call
Work Location: In person