: Domestic Violence CARE Advocate

POSITION: Domestic Violence CARE Advocate (Coordinated Assessment Referral & Engagement) Bilingual Spanish

REPORTS TO: CARE Team Director

LOCATION: Providence, RI

SCHEDULE: Full-time (37.5 hours/week)

COMPENSATION: Nonexempt position; hourly range is $25 to $26 per hour, depending on experience and language skills. Eligible for benefits that include health/dental insurance, life and long-term disability insurance, 15 paid holidays, accrued vacation/sick/personal time, an Employee Assistance Plan, and a 401(k) plan with employer match.

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.  To learn more about our work, please visit www.sojournerri.org. We are also active on social media at @sojournerri.

POSITION SUMMARY:   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. We are currently seeking candidates who are bilingal in Spanish and English.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 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
• Fluency in Spanish (written and verbal) is required
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, Google Workspace, 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
• A valid driver’s license 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 background 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 such as potential rental units 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 and cover letter to resumes@sojournerri.org with the subject line “DV CARE Advocate” . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; early applications are encouraged. To apply via mail, please send all of the requested materials to Sojourner House, Attn: HR/DV CARE Advocate, PO Box 28302, Providence, RI 02908.

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.