Response Line Advocates

Job DescriptionJob Description

DC SAFE seeks to hire Response Line Advocates who are self-aware individuals committed to service, equity, integrity, and excellence. This is a non-exempt position at $26.44 per hour, Non-Negotiable.

Work Hours: Non-traditional hours are early morning, evening, overnight, and during the day. Currently, Work Remotely: Please note DC SAFE Response Line Advocate employees are currently teleworking. Applicants must show they are fully COVID-19 vaccinated.

Advocates offer direct services to victims of domestic violence on a 24/7 calendar and at various entry points, including but not limited to DC SAFE's 24-hour 800 number, ride-along, in the DVICs, in Court, and at DC SAFE's Crisis Shelter. Advocates primarily assist DC SAFE clients through direct services and programmatic duties.

DC SAFE advocates are a direct link to community resources to assist victims in maintaining their safety and fulfilling immediate social service needs through short-term case management.

This includes: Informing victims/survivors of their rights and advocating on behalf of victims/survivors to ensure their rights are observed. Providing trauma informed, emotional support to victims/survivors. Providing information and options for medical forensic exams, reporting to law enforcement, District agencies, and participating in the criminal and civil justice processes, as well as coordinating access to other necessary services and supports such as crisis shelter and emergency financial assistance. DC SAFE Advocates also provide systems advocacy through ongoing feedback to the Court, police, and other actors within the criminal/legal system regarding their impact on survivors.

Response Line Advocate: provide primary coverage of the Response Line

• Maintain detailed records regarding calls to assist in smooth transitions of shifts and further client follow-up.
• Ensure proper materials and Response Line resources are up to date.
• Dispatch and support On-Call Supervisory Advocates.
• Administer after-hours Emergency Financial Assistance.

• Assess every client for lethality and assist in devising an advocacy and safety plan as part of the DC SAFE critical incident response.
• Provide immediate tangible resources for crisis intervention and facilitate access to Continuum Partners.
• Guide clients through the civil and criminal justice process with the central concern always being the client's immediate safety and self-determination.
• Provide information and assistance about navigating the Civil Justice System, such as but not limited to evidentiary requirements for obtaining an ETPO/TPO/CPO; how to access the DVICs; the process of service; enforcement of Civil Protection Orders; victim's rights.
• Provide information and assistance about navigating the Criminal Justice System, such as but not limited to: how and when to contact the USAO screener; information on rights and responsibilities concerning victim witnesses; how to provide information about violations to USAO; information about the status of a case, holds, releases to ensure safety.
• Provide information to and get information from MPD, USAO, and CSOSA regarding the status of violations, supervision, and the location of both client and defendant.
• Provide client with soft referrals and maintain referral mechanisms for DC SAFE with an end towards coordinating a community response to client needs.
• Report back on client concerns, trends, and needs, as well as partner concerns, trends, and needs.
• Advocate for or assist clients in advocating for themselves through the provision of general legal/systems information. This includes assisting with and writing letters and complaints on the client's behalf.
• Facilitate clients' access to DC SAFE Space Shelter.
• Assist clients in applying for Crime Victims Compensation.

General Programmatic Duties:

• Assist the organization in implementing systems advocacy plans, projects, programs, policies, and procedures.
• Diligently maintain client records and DC SAFE databases.
• Gather and analyze statistical information on clients, services, and trends.
• Participate in training to enhance knowledge of domestic violence.
• Assist with onboarding training for volunteers/interns/staff.
• Attend staff meetings, training, and case review meetings.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function (job duty) satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Background and Experience

• 1-2 years of experience with crisis intervention work.
• Applicants with mandatory 40-hour advocacy training completed are preferred.
• Bilingual applicants are preferred.
• Experience with domestic violence issues and DC social service resources.
• Attention to detail and the ability to closely follow protocol and procedures are a must.
• Experience working with law enforcement preferred.
• Comfortable working with diverse populations.
• Experience with the criminal and civil legal system preferred.
• Excellent computer skills and experience with Google Suite including documents, spreadsheets, g-chats, and email. Must have experience with various databases and web-based applications.
• Excellent customer service skills

• Essential Skills
• Attention to Detail: Closely follows protocol and procedures to achieve thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing a task through concern for all the areas involved.
• Problem-solving: Identifies issues, effectively structures problems, analyzes data to produce insights, and generates intelligent, actionable recommendations.
• Project management: Oversees and structures complex projects, plans backward, and ensures quality end-products are delivered on or ahead of schedule, without crises.
• Communications: Produces strong written documents, edits documents effectively, and engages in effective verbal communication.

External Relations: Serves as an effective ambassador, builds connections, and maintains relationships with outside constituents.

Advanced Language Proficiency: Bilingual English/Spanish Preferred, Not Required - Translate our bilingual clients' documents from English to Spanish and Spanish to English.

This job may be performed in office environments.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee must frequently stand, walk, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to sit and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include far and close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

How to apply: employment @dcsafe.org; Please send a cover letter, resume, and three professional references (for each include: name, current title, phone number, and email address) to employment@dcsafe.org C/O Gloria Nokes, Human Resources. Include the position title in the subject line. The position is open until filled. The salary is $26.44 per hour, non-negotiable. Benefits include sick, vacation, holidays, life insurance, EAP, FSA, Personal days, 403b, medical, dental, and vision.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of DC SAFE that all persons have equal opportunity and access to employment opportunities, services, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

Company DescriptionDC SAFE is the only 24/7 crisis intervention agency for domestic violence in Washington, DC. Our mission is to ensure the safety and self-determination of domestic violence survivors through emergency services, court advocacy, and system reform.Company DescriptionDC SAFE is the only 24/7 crisis intervention agency for domestic violence in Washington, DC. Our mission is to ensure the safety and self-determination of domestic violence survivors through emergency services, court advocacy, and system reform.

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