Domestic Violence Services

 Position: Domestic Violence Services Coordinator

Coverage area: Johnson and Washington County

Hours:  Permanent 1 FTE (40 hours) position; schedule includes mornings, afternoons, evenings and some weekend hours. 

Salary: starting at $44,000 annually

Reports to: Director of Client Advocacy Services

Job Summary: The Client Advocacy Services Coordinator will provide direct services support, case management and crisis line advocacy support to victims participating in the Domestic Violence Intervention Program. Direct services and case management will include, but are not limited to, crisis line support, community advocacy, housing advocacy, individual counseling, support group, economic literacy and life skills assistance. The Client Advocacy Services Coordinator/Housing advocate is supervised by the Director of Outreach Services.

Certified Domestic Abuse Advocate: Certification required after appointment to position.  

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Responsible for fulfilling the overall mission of the Domestic Violence Intervention Program in the provision of services to program participants.  
• Victim/survivor focused activities to ensure the safety and security of the victim is primary.  
• Provide crisis intervention via phone or face to face contact including barriers to safety, providing emotional and other support (information and referral) as requested.  
• Provide case management for survivors/victims (i.e., assessment, goal planning, regular contacts, and regular in-home visits) to assist them in attaining their goals.  
• Providing direct service and advocacy to the clients experiencing homelessness or on the verge of becoming homeless.
• Establish relationships with appropriate community individuals and organizations to identify and address unmet needs in human services, mental health, housing, and financial resources.

• Connecting survivors/victims to mainstream resources.  

• Client assessment: background history, including housing assessment; determining cultural, economic, ethnic, health and social factors involved; identifying special needs of victims, and gathering relevant information needed to develop a plan determined by and acceptable to the victim.  

• Work collaboratively with other regional victim service providers in order to best meet the needs of    survivors in the program region, and provide appropriate referral and follow-up services.  

• Provide advocacy by providing mobile services throughout the assigned area in order to better meet victims in their own community or where they may be more comfortable, including home visits when safe to do so.  
• Maintain working knowledge of the State of Iowa statutes and codes that have an impact upon our services to victims of domestic violence mandating the requisite reporting mechanisms.  

• Participate in continued training as required and other related duties as assigned.

• Work locally to improve access to services for battered women and knowledge of battered women’s rights. When assigned, act as liaison, representing the Domestic Violence Intervention Program when interfacing with police agencies, social service agencies, commissions, committees, and other groups. 
• Document services provided as required. 

Qualifications – Required:  

1. AA degree or equivalent combination of education and experience (Two years of experience as a family or domestic violence case manager in a major social service program may be substituted for one year of college education) .  
2. Demonstrated knowledge of domestic violence and systems advocacy.  
3. Understanding of issues of cultural and socioeconomic diversity as applied to domestic violence intervention services.  
4. Experience in peer advocacy and crisis intervention work.  
5. A working knowledge of basic office functions, including word processing and email.  
6. Ability to provide confidential services in smaller, rural communities.  
7. Be organized and detail-oriented.  
8. Ability to work in independent and self-directed manner. 
9. Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation  
10. Ability to pass an Iowa background, Child Abuse and Sex Offender Registry check.  

Qualifications – Desired:  

1. Candidates with language skills and/or past experience working with survivors of domestic violence are preferred.  
2. Strong writing and editing skills.  
3. Public speaking skill and ability to provide training within scope of employment.  
4. Knowledge and understanding of civil and criminal law practice related to domestic violence, particularly housing issues, protection orders, immigration, and divorce.  
5. Multilingual.  

Related Duties:  

1. On-Call.   
2. Travel required, with day, weekend and evening work.  
3. Other duties as assigned.  

PLEASE SUBMIT LETTER OF INTEREST (WHICH SHOULD HIGHLIGHT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION) TO: BRONIS PERTEIT bronis@dvipiowa.org 

Posted until position is filled.