Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Company: The Spring of Tampa Bay

Job Title: DV/Child Welfare Advocate

Reports To: DV/Child Welfare Manager 

Location: Child Welfare Case Management Organizations/Outreach 

• Full-time ? Part-time ? On-call

? Exempt • Non-Exempt

Job Overview

Works cooperatively with the lead Community Based Care Agency (CBC) and Case Management Organizations (CMOs) providing child welfare services in Hillsborough County. Provides training, technical assistance and support to CMO’s regarding domestic violence. Provides empowerment-based advocacy, safety planning, supportive counseling, and crisis intervention to victims and survivors of domestic violence with an open child welfare case.

Responsibilities and Duties 

• Has a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, service programs, and confidentiality and privilege 
• Knowledgeable of the child protection and child welfare system 
• Knowledgeable of the Injunction for Protection (IFP) process and is able to explain the process to survivors and to the CMO staff 
• Works in collaboration with the CMO staff on reports of child abuse involving domestic violence
• Works with DV/CPI Program Manager in collaboration with CBC and CMO leadership to develop written procedures and protocols regarding working with families with an open child welfare case involving domestic violence. 
• Works collaboratively with the CMO staff on reports involving allegations of domestic violence and responds to referrals received from CMO staff 
• Upon receiving a case, is responsible in determining the level of services based on the needs of the survivor. This includes but not limited to; crisis intervention, safety planning, linkage to other Spring services, and referrals 
• Educates survivors on their options 
• Accompanies survivors to court 
• Participates in case staffings that involve child abuse and domestic violence 
• Attends agency meetings and all other meetings as assigned 
• Attends monthly meetings with CBC and CMO staff and other relevant personnel 
• Service management and documentation meets the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s (FCADV) program standards 
• Participates in statewide quarterly meetings of the FCADV DV/CPI/Child Welfare project 
• Participates in technical assistance training 
• Records and compiles statistical data and submits reports at the end of each month as required by both The Spring and FCADV 
• Facilitates groups for survivors involved in the child welfare system 
• Records and compiles data and submits reports at the end of each quarter 
• Crisis counseling and referrals to survivors who request domestic violence services
  

Occasional duties or projects which may be performed at irregular intervals

• Participates in conference calls facilitated by FCADV 
• Facilitates onsite trainings with Spring staff to enhance skills when working with survivors involved in the child welfare system 
• Provides trainings to CBC/CMO on topics related to the DV/CW Initiative 
• Community presentations/trainings with other community partners involved with child welfare for example: GAL, Early Childhood Court. 
• Other related duties as assigned

Accountability: Areas in which the position is accountable/responsible

• Participant Service: Maintains participant satisfaction and quality of services. 
• Records: Ensures participant files are kept up to date professionally and within agency standards. 
• Safety: Assists in maintaining participant safety. 
• Budgets: Submits mileage expenses on a monthly basis.
  

Supervision Responsibility:

• None

Business-Related Contacts:

CBC agency, all CMOs, Child Protective staff and other related agencies

Prohibited Functions:

• Does not respond to requests from the media.
• Does not provide any service which could be interpreted as practicing law.

Education/Training/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field preferred, with a minimum of two (2) years of experience in the field of domestic violence. 
• Comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and survivor issues.
• Experience in court advocacy and/or negotiation. 
• Can function calmly in a crisis atmosphere. 
• Must be able to function independently while working cooperatively as a member of a team. 
• Must have knowledge of community resources and the ability to maintain a cordial working relationship with other agencies. 
• Must be able to work with a culturally diverse community with sensitivity and professionalism.

Specialized or technical educational requirements:

• Bi-lingual preferred (English and Spanish).
• Must be proficient in a Microsoft Windows environment

Certification or Licensing Requirements

• Requires Domestic Violence Core Competency 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
• Must be able to pass and maintain screening and clearance by FDLE, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and screenings that may be required by the CBC or CMO agencies. 
• Must be eligible to be sworn as a Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to hear, talk, stand, sit, walk, use hands and reach. 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 functions.

Work Environment:

• The work environment is normally that of an office atmosphere with a moderate noise level.  
• 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 functions.

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. 
• Reliable transportation required

Behavior Expectations:

The expectation is that each team member demonstrates knowledge of our company culture code and works in a way that aligns with our 15 fundamental behaviors. Our Guiding Principles are at the beginning of our culture code guidebook. We are…

• Survivor-Focused and Empowerment Based. The diverse voices of survivors inform the decisions we make. Survivors are encouraged to heal and move forward at the pace they set.
• Collaborative. Collaboration with our community partners helps create better outcomes for survivors while also ensuring knowledge of the services we provide.
• Diverse & Inclusive. Our team reflects the diversities of our community and the survivors we serve. We establish spaces and services that are supportive of all people.
• A Great Place to Work. People love to work here. We develop the potential of our staff and support their growth as leaders in this work.
• Honest & Ethical. We are transparent. We deliver on our promises. Each dollar we receive is used for its intended purpose and its greatest good.
• A Safe Space. Safety leads each interaction with survivors.
• Advocates. We tirelessly advocate for survivor safety, abuser accountability, and improving the overall system in our community.

Signatures:

 Employee : _____________________________ Date

 Supervisor: _____________________________ Date