Job
Title: Domestic Violence CARE Advocate (Coordinated
Assessment Referral and Engagement)
Job Location: Providence
Reports to: CARE Team Director
Status: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), nonexempt;
Salary: $25 to $26 an hour, depending on experience, with benefits that include health/dental insurance, paid holidays, accrued vacation/sick/personal time, an Employee Assistance Plan, and a 401(k) plan.
ABOUT US: Sojourner House is a comprehensive domestic violence and sexual assault agency that provides residential, educational, and community-based interventions to families and individuals impacted by abuse. We have offices in Providence and Woonsocket, and programs that operate statewide. Our goal is to help our clients rebuild their lives, piece by piece, through a variety of services. All of our programs work from the premise that violence is an unacceptable means to solving interpersonal conflict, and we encourage only non-violent methods of working out conflicts.
BASIC FUNCTION: Responsible for working in partnership with RI Coalition to End Homelessness (RICEH) to help survivors access Domestic Violence Coordinated Entry System (CES). Working in collaboration with Sojourner House programs and community partners, the DV CARE Advocate will provide direct services aimed to stabilize and house survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES:
● Work with DV CARE Coordinator to maintain the Domestic Violence Coordinated Entry System list.
● Attend meetings and committees for the domestic violence CES program (e.g. case conferencing, housing matching meetings, etc.).
● Answer phone calls, conduct intakes of new clients, and provide referrals and information to potential housing and shelter clients.
● Conduct Housing Problem-Solving conversations, housing assessments and crisis assessments with clients who meet HUD homelessness criteria.
● Support clients in creating and making progress on housing plans including goals such as gaining sustainable housing placements, income, public benefits, etc.
● Assist in facilitating Sojourner House’s housing clinics for survivors across four (4) communities, as well as other ad hoc housing clinic events.
● Complete data entry and submit necessary reports as required for grant compliance.
● Stay abreast of RI community housing and shelter issues by building and maintaining relationships with housing and social service agencies in Providence, northern Rhode Island, and throughout the state.
● Support Sojourner House’s philosophy of client empowerment and respect for individual choices.
● Work as necessary with the Volunteer Coordinator to help supervise volunteers.
● Perform other duties as requested by the Sojourner House management team.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree in social work, psychology, or related field preferred or a minimum of 2-3 years experience.
EXPERIENCE AND SPECIAL SKILLS:
● A minimum of two to three years experience in human or social services
● Familiarity with domestic violence and/or gender issues
● Must be organized and demonstrate superior leadership skills
● Proficiency in Spanish is preferred
● Computer literacy (Word, Excel, and general Internet skills)
● Familiarity working with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds
● Experience developing and delivering community presentations
● A demonstrated familiarity with LGBTQ+, HIV/AIDS, mental health, and/or substance abuse populations
● Valid drivers licenses and a reliable vehicle in order to facilitate traveling between the agency’s multiple locations
● Comfort working individually and in teams
● Innovative thinking to approaching issues of poverty and service delivery
● Familiarity with social service services in Rhode Island
● Applicant must pass a BCI check
● Ability to work a flexible schedule, including one night a week and occasionally one weekend day.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made as necessary.
· Regularly required to stand; sit; walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands; and talk or hear
· The employee must be able to carry objects weighing 10 – 25 pounds occasionally
· Frequently required to walk and climb several sets of stairs
· Must be able to drive; frequent travel to other locations within the community and local region
· The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and the environment is sometimes chaotic
TO APPLY: Please send a resume, cover letter, and list of 3 professional references to resumes@sojournerri.org with the subject line “DV CARE Advocate” or by mail to Sojourner House, Attn: HR Department/CARE Advocate, 386 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02908. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, so early submissions are encouraged. No phone calls, please.
Sojourner House is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. To learn more about Sojourner House, please visit www.sojournerri.org.
