Get Involved

Position: Volunteer Coordinator

Reports to: Director of Community Engagement

Hours: Non-Exempt, Varied 

Job Summary: The Domestic Violence Intervention Program offers a comprehensive range of services including crisis intervention, safe shelter, counseling, advocacy, and support to meet the needs of victims and their families. The Volunteer Coordinator is supervised by the Director of Community Engagement. The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for the development, implementation, and management of civic group engagements, volunteer activities, and the organization of volunteer advocate training at DVIP.  This position includes some direct services.

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

Qualifications- Required:

• Demonstrated knowledge of domestic violence and systems advocacy
• Understanding of issues of cultural and socioeconomic diversity as applied to domestic violence intervention services
• Experience in peer advocacy and crisis intervention work
• Working knowledge of basic office functions, including word processing and email
• Public speaking skills and ability to provide training within the scope of employment
• Valid driver’s license, proof of auto insurance, and reliable transportation
• Ability to pass an Iowa background, Child Abuse, and Sex Offender Registry check
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs with or without assistance

Qualifications- Desirable:

• AA degree or equivalent combination of education and experience 
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Systems knowledge and understanding of civil and criminal law practice related to domestic violence, particularly protection orders, immigration, and divorce
• Knowledge of management of volunteer resources
• Knowledge of current trends, resources, and information related to volunteerism
• Multilingual

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Responsible to fulfill the overall mission of the Domestic Violence Intervention Program in the provision of services to program participants. 
• Develop, administer, and review policies and procedures which guide the volunteer programs and services, and reflect the overall values of the organization
• Develop and implement goals and objectives for the volunteer program which reflect the mission of DVIP
• Identify volunteer assignments that provide meaningful work for volunteers and write the volunteer position descriptions in consultation with staff as appropriate
• Promote the agency and the volunteer program to gain community support
• Develop and implement effective strategies to recruit the right volunteers with the appropriate skills
• Implement a screening process for potential volunteers according to accepted screening standards and practices of the agency; Develop and implement a media plan to recruit potential volunteers to ensure the best match between the skills, qualification, and interests of the volunteers and the needs of the agency
• Oversee the recruitment and learning experience of intern volunteers.
• Work with the DVIP administrative team to organize and implement advocate training and maintain training materials
• Organize, implement, and evaluate a training program to teach agency policies, procedures, and interpersonal skills to new volunteers
• Train staff to work effectively and cooperatively with volunteers
• Orient volunteers to increase their understanding of confidentiality, the organization, its clients, its services, and the role and responsibilities of volunteers
• Coordinate volunteer retention and recognition activities
• Conduct ongoing evaluation of the programs and services delivered by volunteers and implement improvements as necessary
• Ensure that volunteers receive the appropriate level of supervision
• Prepare a volunteer database and record volunteer activities
• Assist with conflict resolution among clients, staff, and volunteers according to established procedures
• Maintain knowledge of current trends, resources, and information related to volunteerism
• Maintain knowledge of the management of volunteer resources
• Develop collaborations with other community-based organizations, acting as a liaison to organizations
• Work collaboratively with other regional victim service providers in order to best meet the needs of survivors in the program region, and provide appropriate support and follow-up services 
• Attend meetings and trainings as necessary; maintain a 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

Related Duties:

1. On-Call.
2. Some travel required, with daytime, weekend and evening work.
3. Other duties as assigned.

Please send a writing sample, design sample, letter of interest, and resume to Alta Medea-Peters at altamp@dvipiowa.org. 

Deadline: July 28th, 2020

********************************************************************

Position:  Substitute Shelter Services Coordinator

Job Summary: The employee in this position will work with women and children who are residents of the DVIP shelter program, offering support, advocacy, peer counseling, crisis intervention, community referrals, and conflict resolution. This position is a direct services position.

Hours: Substitutes are called on an on-need basis.  Hours include day, evening, overnight and weekends

Reports to: Director of Shelter and Youth Services

Wage: To be determined upon hire

Certified Domestic Abuse Advocate:  Victim Counselor training required after appointment to the position

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide crisis intervention support, brief solution-based support, community referrals, and resources to shelter residents and crisis line clients.
• Demonstrate conflict resolution and problem-solving skills to clients and co-workers.
• Document services provided as required.
• Coordinate follow-up services and activities for adult shelter residents, including organizing daily logging information related to client services, maintaining client files, and organizing and/or completing client orientations.
• Assist with shelter office maintenance, including making copies of forms, cleaning office, straightening desk area, etc.
• Assist in general upkeep of the facility, including building upkeep, building and grounds security, and distribution of program donations.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with community agencies and systems for effective client advocacy.

Related Duties:  Other duties as assigned

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of domestic violence and systems advocacy.
• Working knowledge of basic office functions, including word processing and email.
• Understanding of issues of cultural and socioeconomic diversity as applied to domestic violence intervention services.

Please send letters of interest to elias@dvipiowa.org

Deadline: Until Filled

******************************************************************

Position: Crisis Line Advocate

Reports to: Director of Client Advocacy Services

Hours: Non-Exempt, Varied 

Wage: To be determined upon hire

Job Summary:   Supervised by the Director of Client Advocacy Services, the Crisis Line Advocate assists people who are victims/survivors of domestic violence via DVIP’s 24-hour hotline.  The focus of this position is to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, legal advocacy (not legal advice), housing and economic advocacy, and other specific needs resulting from domestic violence through trauma-informed practice.

Certified Domestic Abuse Advocate:  certification required after appointment to the position.

Qualifications – Required:

•  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). 
• Demonstrated knowledge of domestic violence and systems advocacy.
• Understanding of issues of cultural and socioeconomic diversity as applied to domestic violence intervention services.
• Experience in peer advocacy and crisis intervention work.
• Working knowledge of basic office functions, including word processing and email.
• Ability to provide confidential services.
• Be organized and detail-oriented.
• Ability to work in an independent and self-directed manner.
• Valid driver’s license, proof of auto insurance, and reliable transportation.
• Ability to pass an Iowa background, Child Abuse, and Sex Offender Registry check.

Qualifications – Desired:

• Candidates with language skills and/or past experience working with survivors of domestic violence are preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of civil and criminal law practice related to domestic violence, particularly housing issues, protection orders, immigration, and divorce. 
• Multilingual.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible to fulfill 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 are primary.
• Provide crisis intervention via phone contact including barriers to safety, providing emotional and other supports (information and referral) as requested.
• 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 program region, and provide appropriate referral and follow-up services.
• 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.
• Document services provided as required.
• Assist with mentoring of new co-workers, volunteers, and interns, providing information about barriers faced by battered women, general operating procedures, crisis intervention, advocacy, and community referrals.

Related Duties:

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

Please submit a letter of interest and resume by June 19, 2020, to bronis@dvipiowa.org

********************************************************

Position: Client Advocacy Services Housing Coordinator 

Reports to: Director of Client Advocacy Services 

Position covers: Cedar, Johnson, Iowa, and Washington Counties 

Compensation: Determined upon experience

Hours: 40 hours  

Job Summary: Supervised by the Director of Client Advocacy Services, the Client Advocacy Services Housing Coordinator assists people who are fleeing domestic violence and/or sexual assault lack safe, affordable housing. The Housing Specialist will assess each family’s strengths and barriers to housing and together with the victim/survivor to identify the housing option that best meets the needs of the victim/survivor. The Housing specialist will also maintain relationships with landlords to ensure survivors can exit homelessness quickly and maintain housing. Responsibilities also include providing education about domestic violence and homeless, and other specific needs resulting from domestic violence through trauma-informed practice.

Certified Domestic Abuse Advocate: certification required after appointment to the position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Responsible to fulfill the overall mission of the Domestic Violence Intervention Program in the provision of services to program participants. 
• Assisting survivors/victims with finding and maintaining housing. 
• 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. 
• Provide intervention planning including collaborating with the victim/survivor to determine their strengths, family involvement needed, safety concerns, short and long term strategies to achieve housing objectives. 
• Connecting survivors/victims to mainstream resources (i.e., FIP, TANF, SSI/D, and others). 
• Provide advocacy/assistance to help victims/survivors remain safely in their own home including rental assistance, legal advocacy, court orders (restraining, no contact, etc.), medical care/behavioral health, life skills, employment, transportation, and emergency assistance. 
• Build relationships with landlords to help victims/survivors secure and maintain housing including maintaining a housing directory which should include documentation of all contacts with housing providers. 
• Educate clients about tenant responsibilities and rights, financial management, and affordable housing opportunities. 
• Mediate landlord-tenant issues. 
• Manage multiple sources of funds to assist clients and maintain accurate records of expenditures. 
• Maintain working knowledge of the State of Iowa statues and codes including services to victims of domestic violence and the landlord/tenant code. 
• 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. 
• Document services provided as required. 
• Assist with mentoring of new co-workers, volunteers, and interns, providing information about barriers faced by battered women, general operating procedures, crisis intervention, advocacy, and community referrals. 

Qualifications – Required: 

• 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). 
• Demonstrated knowledge of domestic violence and systems advocacy. 
• Understanding of issues of cultural and socioeconomic diversity as applied to domestic violence intervention services. 
• Experience in peer advocacy and crisis intervention work. 
• Working knowledge of basic office functions, including word processing and email. 
• Ability to provide confidential services in smaller, rural communities. 
• Be organized and detail-oriented. 
• Ability to work in an independent and self-directed manner. 
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation 
• Ability to pass an Iowa background, Child Abuse, and Sex Offender Registry check.

Qualifications – Desired: 

• Experience working with families and landlords to find housing in private, market-rate rental units. Experience and/or training in landlord-tenant mediation. 
• Strong writing and editing skills. 
• Public speaking skills and ability to provide training within the scope of employment. 
• Knowledge and understanding of civil and criminal law practice related to domestic violence, particularly housing issues, protection orders, immigration, and divorce. 
• Multilingual. 

Related Duties: 

• On-Call. 
• Travel required, with day, weekend, and evening work. 
• 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

*****************************************************************

Position: Client Advocacy Services Coordinator

Coverage area: Johnson County

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 the position. 

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

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Responsible to fulfill 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 supports (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 the 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 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 a 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: 

• 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)
• Demonstrated knowledge of domestic violence and systems advocacy. 
• Understanding of issues of cultural and socioeconomic diversity as applied to domestic violence intervention services. 
• Experience in peer advocacy and crisis intervention work. 
• Working knowledge of basic office functions, including word processing and email. 
• Ability to provide confidential services in smaller, rural communities. 
• Be organized and detail-oriented. 
• Ability to work in an independent and self-directed manner. 
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Ability to pass an Iowa background, Child Abuse, and Sex Offender Registry check. 

Qualifications – Desired: 

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

Related Duties: 

• On-Call. 
• Travel required, with day, weekend, and evening work. 
• Crisis Line coverage as required.

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

Posted until the position is filled