Hybrid Counselor Advocate

at Violence Intervention Program

• Job title: Counselor Advocate
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Mid level, Senior
• Salary: $30 per hour
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, New York City, United States

About the role

• Counselor Advocate providing crisis intervention and empowerment counseling for survivors of gender-based violence. Delivering case management and advocacy services within diverse communities in New York City.

Responsibilities

• The Counselor Advocate provides crisis intervention and self-empowerment counseling in both individual and group settings to survivors of gender-based violence.
• Deliver direct services, including holistic case assessment, case management, and advocacy across criminal legal, social welfare, housing, immigration, and other related systems.
• Conduct initial needs assessments on all clients and their children to identify needs and goals during the initial intake and reevaluate as necessary.
• Provide intensive case management services based on the program participant (s) needs/goals and service plan, including weekly (scheduled) case management sessions.
• Provide personal support for the families, including but not limited to translation and accompaniment services as it relates to public assistance and housing.
• Provide information and referrals; advocacy and accompaniment to participants throughout the legal, immigration, social, and human resources systems, over the phone, in-person, and through written correspondence promptly.
• Assist participants with educational needs by advocating for tutoring services, school placement, parent/teacher/child involvement, and medical services.
• Stay abreast of changes in entitlements and benefit resources and systems for information and referrals, advocacy and accompaniment as to secure needed services.
• Maintain proper documentation on time for all clients.
• Develop service plans with measurable outcomes and services identified by the program and funding source in a timely fashion.
• Include accurate information about participants’ outcomes and services to inform their counseling plan.
• Consistently assess clients' safety to ensure their security and that of their children.
• Create a safety plan as needed.
• Provide crisis and promote self-esteem/motivation to participants.
• Validate, support, and encourage strength-based counseling with focus on personal wellness and independence as identified.
• Facilitate weekly, monthly, and/or bi-monthly age-appropriate bilingual support groups.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary service providers and law enforcement weekly to provide wraparound services for walk-in clients.
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled agency and program meetings.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or relevant experience
• Fully Bilingual Required (English/Spanish – verbal and written).
• Must have advocacy and/or counseling experience in domestic violence, women and children’s issues, or related fields.
• Strong verbal and written communication and documenting skills.
• Must be well-organized, work independently and collectively, and maintain a flexible schedule.
• Must be knowledgeable in working with diverse communities, particularly Latinx, people of color, and low-income populations, and deliver culturally competent services.
• Must have the ability to operate office equipment such as computers, copy machines, fax machines, phone systems, etc., with strong internet and software skills, incl. Microsoft Office and client database.
• Must be able to exercise good judgment, compassion, and sensitivity at all times to provide trauma-informed care.
• Must ensure agency, program, and client confidentiality at all times.
• Must work well with a team and bring self-awareness and accountability to the workplace.
• Must be passionate about intersectional social justice issues impacting survivors of trauma.
• Willing to travel to Queens and Manhattan

Benefits

• We cover 85% of the cost of medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee and dependents.
• Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Accounts available.
• Unlimited Paid Time Off program, 12 paid holidays, a mid-year and end-of-year office closure.
• Summer Friday schedule (optional)
• Commuter benefits (Mass Transit & Parking)
• 403b retirement plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Disability & Life Insurance