Counselor Advocate

Position: Counselor Advocate, Bronx Community Program

Department: Community & Specialized Programs 

Location(s):  Bronx

Reports To: Manager 

Work Model: Hybrid, working 2-3 days per week on-site

Classification: Full Time, Non-exempt

Pay Rate: $50,000/year, non-negotiable

The Violence Intervention Program, Inc. (VIP) is the only culturally specific non-profit organization in New York City serving Latinx survivors of domestic and sexual violence, the vast majority of whom are immigrants. Created as a grassroots response to intimate partner violence and sexual assault, VIP has always centered survivors in its leadership and has worked to create a community of staff that reflects the rich national, ethnic and racial diversity of the communities it serves. VIP operates three community-based social service programs, two residential shelter and housing programs, a 24/7 hotline, innovative economic justice and sexual violence programs, and a robust community engagement program.

The Counselor Advocate provides comprehensive crisis intervention and self-empowerment counseling in both individual and group settings to survivors of gender-based violence. The Counselor Advocate is also responsible for providing direct services in the form of comprehensive case assessment, case management and advocacy related to criminal legal, social welfare, housing, immigration, and other related systems.

Essential Functions:

• 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 their 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, housing. School/education placement, health service, etc. Including assistance in the various unforeseen needs of the participant.
• Provide information and referrals; advocacy and accompaniment to participants throughout the legal, immigration, social and human resources systems. This includes over the phone, in-person and through written correspondence in a timely manner.
• Assist participant with educational needs by advocating for tutoring services, school placement, parents/teacher/child involvement and medical services.
• Stay abreast of changes in the area of entitlements and benefit resources and systems for information and referrals; advocacy and accompaniment as to secure needed services.
• Maintain proper documentation (case notes, reports and statistical information) in a timely manner for all clients.
• Develop service plans with measurable outcomes and services as 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 the safety of clients to ensure their security, and that of their children, as their situation may shift with changing conditions. Create a safety plan as needed.
• Provide crisis and promote self-esteem/motivation to participants including identifying and providing referrals to outside therapeutic services as needed.
• Validate, support and encourage strength-based counseling with a focus on personal wellness and independence as identified.
• Work with age-appropriate clients on an ongoing basis around the issues of conflict resolution, separation, and diversity issues (including cultural, religious, and sexual orientation issues), etc.
• Provide interventions that promote positive relationships between clients, parents, their community, various institutions and schools to enhance the positive development of clients.
• Facilitate weekly, monthly and/or bi-monthly age appropriate bi-lingual support groups.
• Provide counseling, case management, and collaborate with multi-disciplinary service providers and law enforcement on a weekly basis to provide wraparound services for walk-in clients at the Family Justice Center.
• Work collaboratively with staff and other service providers on a consistent basis to ensure the highest quality service delivery.
• Adhere to mandated reporting requirements as they relate to such issues as child abuse/neglect, suicide/homicide concerns, etc.
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled agency and program meeting including supervision sessions, trainings, case conferences, agency-wide staff meetings, team meetings, individual service plans, inter-disciplinary meetings, etc.
• Conduct community outreach and /or educational workshops as needed by program.
  
• Report Language access issues as they occur to Deputy Director for Programs and Executive Director.
• Capacity building in all programs of the agency – each staff member will demonstrate competency with incorporating financial literacy in the performance of their responsibilities.
• Perform other tasks as required, including any related administrative duties as needed.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or relevant experience
• Fully Bilingual Required (English/Spanish – verbal and written).
• Must have advocacy and/or counseling experience in the area of domestic violence, women and children’s issues, or related field.
• Strong verbal and written communication and documenting skills.
• Must be well-organized, work independently and collectively, while maintaining 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 machine, fax machine, 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.

Compensation & Benefits

• Full-time, non-exempt position, working 35 hours per week with a pay rate of $50,000/year.
• We cover 90% of the cost of medical (United Healthcare/Oxford), dental (Aetna) and vision (VSP) coverage for employee and spouse/children/family. Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Accounts available.
• Unlimited 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