Community Advocate - Saint Paul, United States - 360 Communities

Description

Job Description

Summary: Provide resources/referral/support to individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence. This includes assisting with safety planning, providing emotional support and goal planning. This position also acts as a liaison between 360 Communities advocacy services and other professionals and resources in the community. 1-2 years related experience working with victims of domestic violence. Bachelor's degree preferred. Language required position of Somali.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Demonstrate commitment to the agency's mission statement and core values at all times. The mission statement is "360 Communities delivers safety and stability that improves lives."
2. Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, information and referrals, and ongoing support and services as needed to domestic violence victims/survivors and their family members. This includes following up on referrals that come from a variety of sources, including information provided in police reports/calls we receive.
3. Provide holistic advocacy services and resources including safety planning, child/adult education, community connections/resources, housing, financial, legal (excluding legal advice), building support networks, and other services/resources as apparent or identified in intakes.
4. Coordinate with other community advocates and volunteers to provide support to victims during court hearings, and attend court hearings as needed
5. Respond to hospital calls at Fairview Ridges and Regina hospitals to provide support to victims/survivors during forensic exams.
6. Develop and maintain strong working relationships with all community partners and provide training/education and feedback to improve response to victims. This includes informing the Community Advocacy Supervisor (DV) about issues and trends that can be addressed to the Coordinated Community Response Team (CCR) and other local workgroups.
7. Follow up on referrals from the Community Educator to connect with individuals who disclose they need help during presentations or other community events.
8. Collaborate with other program staff to represent 360 Communities at events and presentations; this may include tabling events or presenting to systems professionals, social service providers, faith communities, medical facilities, and other community partners to ensure effective victim centered response to domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
9. Maintain accurate data for statistical purposes as well as narratives for service delivery provisions.
10. Partner with other program staff regarding working with victims/survivors of domestic violence in order to provide holistic support and services.
11. Participate in or offer feedback and/or ideas to various workgroups within the organization to help us continue moving in a forward direction with best practices for staff wellness, client services and other initiatives.
12. Actively participate and attend staff meetings.
13. Assist in shelter as needed or directed.
14. Pursue training opportunities for ongoing professional development and to stay up to date on trends related to the work.
15. Perform other duties and assume other responsibilities as the need is apparent or as requested or delegated.

Education and/or Experience

• One to two years related experience working with victims of domestic and/or sexual violence, knowledge of legal advocacy for victims preferred. Bachelor's degree preferred, but experience in lieu of degree will be considered.
• Bilingual in Somali required.
• Completion of 40-hour sexual assault training prior to employment is preferred, but will help obtain if needed
• Experience being self-directed, motivated and ability to demonstrate non-judgmental professional decision-making skills.
• Experience with socially, economically and culturally diverse populations
• Computer skills, including Microsoft Word, and use of database systems.
• Must be able to pass a background check
• Must have reliable transportation to provide mobile advocacy across service area
• Computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and use of database systems.

Professional Abilities and Skills

• Interpersonal: Work with integrity. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Understand and comply with professional ethics and standards of practice. Contribute to building positive team spirit and put success of team above own interests. Recognize accomplishments of other team members. Seek increased responsibilities. Look for and takes advantage of opportunities. Ask for and offers help when needed.
• Work: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited direction may exist. Strive to continuously build knowledge and skills. Display original thinking and creativity. Include appropriate people in decision-making process. Adapt to changes, delays, or unexpected events in the work environment. Ability to keep accurate and complete work records. Support cost saving measures. Set and achieve challenging goals. Ability to provide supervision and coaching to support service volunteers.
• Time Management: Prioritize and plan work activities. Use time efficiently. Arrive punctually each workday; complete assigned tasks within required time frame.
• Communication: Speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listen and get clarification. Present and interpret numerical data and written information effectively.
• Leadership: Exhibits confidence in self and others. Inspires respect, trust and motivates others to perform well and fulfill vision. Effectively influence actions and opinions of others. Accepts feedback from others. Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates. Gives appropriate recognition to others. Displays passion and optimism.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must possess and maintain a valid Minnesota driver's license.
• Must possess Personal Auto Insurance limits of $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 or a combined single limit of $300,000.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Hybrid work model – some work may be done from home or remotely
• Shelter, hospital, police department, and community environment.
• Typical office environment, exposure to fax machines and copiers, computers, scanners and printers.
• Work requires a high level of emotional capacity.
• Requires hearing traumatic and personal life stories.
• Employee is subject to moderate noise level.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, climb stairs, bend, kneel, sit on the floor, use hands to write, type, use computers and lift up to 25 lbs

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.