Client Advocacy Services – Southern Tier

Position: Client Advocacy Services Coordinator – Des Moines and Henry Counties

Reports to: Director of Client Advocacy Services   

Job Summary: Supervised by the Director of Client Advocacy Services, the Client Advocacy Services Coordinator assists people who are victims/survivors of domestic violence. The focus of this position is to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, legal advocacy (not legal advice), housing and economic advocacy, support groups, community education/prevention and other specific needs resulting from domestic violence through trauma informed practice.  

Certified Domestic Abuse Advocate: certification required after appointment to 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.  • 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.  
• Provide advocacy by providing mobile services throughout 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 statues 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. This includes working with WRAC and the UI Sexual Misconduct Office to provide D.V. services to students, faculty and staff.  • 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 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