Position: Regional Client Advocacy Services Coordinator

Coverage area: Lee and Van Buren Counties (primary), and surrounding areas

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

Salary: $44,000 annually

Reports to: Director of Domestic Violence Services

Job Summary: The Domestic Violence Services Coordinator is responsible for delivering direct support and case management services to individuals participating in the DVIP & RVAP Crisis Support Services. The scope of these services encompasses but is not limited to community advocacy, legal advocacy, housing assistance, individual counseling, support group facilitation, economic literacy education, and life skills development. The Domestic Violence Services Coordinator operates under the supervision of the Director of Domestic Violence Services.

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

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for fulfilling the DVIP &RVAP’s overall mission in providing services to program participants.
• Victim/survivor-focused activities to ensure the safety and security of the victim are primary.
• Provide crisis intervention through phone or in-person contact, including safety measures and emotional support, as well as information and referrals upon request.
• Provide case management for survivors and victims, including assessment, goal planning, regular contacts, and in-home visits, to assist them in achieving their goals.
• Providing direct service and advocacy to clients experiencing homelessness or on the verge of becoming homeless.
• Build relationships with relevant community members and organizations to identify and address unmet needs within human services, mental health, housing, and financial assistance.
• Linking survivors and victims to mainstream resources.
• Client assessment: background history including housing evaluation; identifying cultural, economic, ethnic, health, and social factors involved; recognizing victims’ unique needs, and collecting pertinent information to develop a plan that is determined by and agreeable to the victim.
• Collaborate with regional victim service providers to effectively meet the needs of survivors in the program region and offer appropriate referral and follow-up services.
• Provide advocacy by offering mobile services throughout the assigned area to better assist victims in their own community or in environments where they feel more comfortable, including home visits when it is safe to do so.
• Maintain a working knowledge of Iowa statutes and codes that affect our services to victims of domestic violence, including the required reporting mechanisms.
• Engage in ongoing training as needed, along with any other related tasks assigned.
• Collaborate locally to enhance access to services for individuals experiencing domestic violence and to raise awareness about their rights. When designated, serve as a liaison, representing DVIP &RVAP in interactions with police agencies, social service organizations, commissions, committees, and other relevant groups.
• Document services are 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 an 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 skills and ability to provide training within the 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. DV and SA-Back-up
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 at bronisp@dvipiowa.org.

Posted until position is filled.

Position: Domestic Violence Services Coordinator

Coverage area: Johnson County (Primary) and surrounding areas

Reports to: Director of Domestic Violence Services

Job Summary: The Domestic Violence Services Coordinator is responsible for delivering direct support and case management services to individuals participating in the DVIP & RVAP Crisis Support Services. The scope of these services encompasses but is not limited to community advocacy, legal advocacy, housing assistance, individual counseling, support group facilitation, economic literacy education, and life skills development. The Domestic Violence Services Coordinator operates under the supervision of the Director of Domestic Violence Services.

Certified Victim Advocate: DV and SA state certification is required after an appointment for the position.  

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

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Responsible for fulfilling the DVIP &RVAP’s overall mission in providing services to program participants.  
• Victim/survivor-focused activities to ensure the safety and security of the victim are primary.  
• Provide crisis intervention through phone or in-person contact, including safety measures and emotional support, as well as information and referrals upon request. 
• Provide case management for survivors and victims, including assessment, goal planning, regular contacts, and in-home visits, to assist them in achieving their goals. 
• Providing direct service and advocacy to clients experiencing homelessness or on the verge of becoming homeless.
• Build relationships with relevant community members and organizations to identify and address unmet needs within human services, mental health, housing, and financial assistance.
• Linking survivors and victims to mainstream resources. 
• Client assessment: background history including housing evaluation; identifying cultural, economic, ethnic, health, and social factors involved; recognizing victims’ unique needs, and collecting pertinent information to develop a plan that is determined by and agreeable to the victim.
• Collaborate with regional victim service providers to effectively meet the needs of survivors in the program region and offer appropriate referral and follow-up services. 
• Provide advocacy by offering mobile services throughout the assigned area to better assist victims in their own community or in environments where they feel more comfortable, including home visits when it is safe to do so. 
• Maintain a working knowledge of Iowa statutes and codes that affect our services to victims of domestic violence, including the required reporting mechanisms.
• Engage in ongoing training as needed, along with any other related tasks assigned.
• Collaborate locally to enhance access to services for individuals experiencing domestic violence and to raise awareness about their rights. When designated, serve as a liaison, representing DVIP &RVAP in interactions with police agencies, social service organizations, commissions, committees, and other relevant groups.
• Document services are 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 an 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 skills and ability to provide training within the 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.  DV and SA-Back-up  
2. Travel required, with day, weekend, and evening work.  
3. Other duties as assigned.  

 

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

Posted until position is filled

Position: Domestic Violence Services Housing Specialist

Reports to: Director of Domestic Violence Services 

Position covers: Johnson County

Compensation: Starting annual salary – $49,000

Hours: 40 hours 

Job Summary: Supervised by the Director of Domestic Violence Services, the Housing Specialist assists people who are fleeing domestic violence and/or sexual assault and lack safe and affordable housing. The Housing Specialist will assess each family’s strengths and barriers to housing and, together with the victim/survivor, 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 access housing opportunities or sustain their current housing. Responsibilities also include providing education about domestic/sexual violence and unhoused individuals, and other specific needs resulting from domestic or sexual violence through trauma-informed practice. 

Certified Victim Advocate certification track is required upon hiring. Details explained at the interview.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for fulfilling the overall mission of DVIP & RVAP 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 statutes 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: 

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 and sexual 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. Working knowledge of basic office functions, including word processing and email. 6. Ability to provide confidential services in smaller, rural communities. 
6. Be organized and detail-oriented. 
7. Ability to work in an independent and self-directed manner. 
8. Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation 
9. Ability to pass an Iowa background, Child Abuse and Sex Offender Registry check. 

Qualifications – Desired: 

1. Experience working with families and landlords to find housing in private, market-rate rental units. Experience and/or training in landlord-tenant mediation. 
2. Strong writing and editing skills. 
3. Public speaking skills and the ability to provide training within the 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. DV and SA back-up.
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 bronisp@dvipiowa.org  DEADLINE: posted until position is filled.