Outreach Advocate

Job Description

Provides empowerment-based advocacy, safety planning, supportive counseling, crisis intervention and service management to Outreach participants. Provides information, referrals, and counseling to participants. Provide crisis intervention and referral services to phone callers. Assists in the completion of petitions for Injunctions for Protection.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Primary duty includes assisting participants in the completion of petitions for Injunctions for Protection: the assistance, filing, and follow up with the court house on these petitions.
• Provides services to scheduled appointments and walk-in participants. Works with individual participants to assess the lethality of the situation and develop a safety plan. Assesses the participant's individual strengths and needs, identifies strengths and challenges present, offers options and assists the participants in selecting from the options available. Coordinates services with appropriate community resources and refers participants and children to necessary support services. Makes internal/external referrals as necessary.
• Maintains contact with participants to follow up on petitions.
• Assists Outreach Advocates with information on Injunctions for Protection for participants. Communicates with advocates on status of petitions of their participants.
• Answers Outreach phone and provides crisis intervention, safety planning, information, referrals, and links/schedules for services, as needed.
• Schedules intakes with Outreach participants.
• Has a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, service programs, confidentiality and privilege.
• Attends agency meetings and all other meetings as assigned.
• Service management and documentation meets FCADV program standards.
• Provides on-going safety planning with participants.
• Assists participants with arranging for transportation to appointments.
• Maintains participant files and ensures data is entered into ALICE/WS (data system) immediately after all participant contact.
• Updates the master list and IFP binder daily as necessary.
• Maintains written records required for statistical reporting. Compiles statistical information of services rendered and submits accurate reports monthly to supervisor.
• Completes and reports on all assessment tools required by contract/funders.
• Assists supervisors in the entering of data for the Children's Board of Hillsborough County.
• Assists with completing file reviews of Outreach Advocate files monthly.
• Facilitates group(s), as assigned.
• Assists in relieving the Outreach Advocate/Receptionist for breaks and time off. Responsible for covering the front desk on Thursday mornings.
• Assists with the inventorying, placing and picking up of the outreach order and supplies.
• Consults with supervisor on a regular basis, regarding all agency, participant, and service management issues.
  
  

Education/Training/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field plus one year of experience preferred.
  
  

Specialized or technical educational requirements:

• Bi-lingual preferred
  
  

Certification or Licensing Requirements

• FCADV Competency-Based Core training plus an additional 6 hours of individualized training (30 hours total) to qualify for privilege status; must successfully pass written test
• Valid Florida Driver's License with at least two years driving experience, active automobile insurance and an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report.
• Must be able to pass and maintain a Level II background check
• Requires 24-hour FCADV Core Competency training and additional 6-hours (30- hours total) to qualify for privilege
• Requires on-going 16-hours of DV related training after the first

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to hear, talk, stand, sit, walk, use hands and Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• The physical demands 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 to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential

• The work environment is normally that of an office atmosphere with a moderate noise
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential

Additional Remarks:

This position requires the following:

• Demonstrated maturity and good judgment.
• Ability to handle crisis situations calmly and with expertise.
• A self-starter and the ability to perform with a high degree of autonomy and as part of a team.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and decision making.
• Excellent organizational, analytical and time management skills.
• Excellent verbal and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of domestic violence and victim issues, including advocacy activities, statutes and impact on children
• Maintains professionalism at all times, in all situations.
• Reliable transportation required.
• Willingness to be flexible with schedule.