Senior Counselor Advocate

Violence Intervention Program • New York, NY

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Violence Intervention Program, Inc. (VIP) is the only culturally specific non-profit organization in New York City serving Latinx survivors of domestic and sexual violence, the vast majority of whom are immigrants. Founded as a grassroots response to intimate partner violence and sexual assault, VIP has consistently centered survivors in its leadership and fostered a staff community that reflects the rich national, ethnic, and racial diversity of the communities it serves. Today, VIP operates two community-based programs serving the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens; four housing programs, including two shelters, Rapid Re-Housing, and Home+; a bilingual helpline; and innovative programs focused on economic justice, sexual violence, restorative justice, and child and adolescent services.

The Senior Counselor Advocate provides crisis intervention and self-empowerment counseling in individual and group settings to survivors of gender-based violence. This staff is responsible for providing direct services through comprehensive case assessment, case management, and advocacy related to criminal legal, social welfare, housing, immigration, and other related systems. The Senior Counselor Advocate will also provide administrative support to the program manager and assist with the training and onboarding of new and existing staff members.

Requirements

• BSW or BA required
• Bilingual Required (English/Spanish – verbal and written).
• Must have at least five-year of advocacy and/or counseling experience in the area of domestic violence, women and children’s issues, or related field.
• One year administrative experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication and documenting skills.
• Must be well-organized, work independently and collectively, while maintaining a flexible schedule.
• Must be knowledgeable in working with diverse communities, particularly Latinx, people of color, and low-income populations and deliver culturally competent services.
• Must have the ability to operate office equipment such as computers, copy machine, fax machine, phone systems, etc. with strong internet and software skills; incl. Microsoft Office and client database.
• Must be able to exercise good judgment, compassion, and sensitivity at all times to provide trauma-informed care.
• Must ensure agency, program and client confidentiality at all times.
• Must work well with a team and bring self-awareness and accountability to the workplace.
• Must be passionate about intersectional social justice issues impacting survivors of trauma.

Responsibilities

• The Senior case manager will carry a small case load
• Assist Program manager with the training and supporting of new and existing staff.
• Assist Program manager on reviewing /assigning new intake case
• Support Program Manager on administrative duties as needed (ex. ordering program supplies orders, monitoring of Health Bucks and Food voucher Distribution etc.).
• Support Program Manager with reporting of program deliverables to funders
• Maintain/oversee the petty cash and food voucher systems/reports as required by Fiscal Department.
• Attend meetings and conduct in-person and/or online community outreach or educational workshops to raise awareness of intimate partner and sexual violence in Latinx communities.
• Ensuring all VIP clients obtain Crime Victims Assistance information and assistance with compensation claims.
• Conduct initial needs assessments on all clients and their children to identify needs and goals during the initial intake and reevaluate as necessary.
• Provide intensive case management services based on the clients’ needs/goals and their service plan. Including weekly (scheduled) case management sessions.
• Provide personal support for the families including but not limited to translation and accompaniment services as it relates to public assistance, housing. School/education placement, health service, etc. Including assistance in the various unforeseen needs of the participant.
• Provide information and referrals; advocacy and accompaniment to clients throughout the legal, immigration, social and human resources systems. This includes over the phone, in-person and through written correspondence in a timely manner.
• Assist clients with educational needs by advocating for tutoring services, school placement, parents/teacher/child involvement and medical services.
• Stay abreast of changes in the area of entitlements and benefit resources and systems for information and referrals; advocacy and accompaniment as to secure needed services.
• Maintain proper documentation (case notes, reports and statistical information) in Salesforce in a timely manner for all clients.
• Develop service plans with measurable outcomes and services as identified by the program and funding source in a timely fashion. Include accurate information about participants’ outcomes and services to inform their counseling plan.
• Consistently assess the safety of clients to ensure their security, and that of their children, as their situation may shift with changing conditions. Create a safety plan as needed.
• Provide crisis and promote self-esteem/motivation to clients including identifying and providing referrals to outside therapeutic services as needed.
• Validate, support and encourage strength-based counseling with a focus on personal wellness and independence as identified.
• Work with clients on an ongoing basis around the issues of conflict resolution,separation, and diversity issues (including cultural, religious, and sexual orientation issues), etc.
• Provide interventions that promote positive relationships between clients, parents, their community, various institutions and schools to enhance the positive development of clients.
• Facilitate weekly, monthly and/or bi-monthly bi-lingual support groups.
• Provide counseling, case management, and collaborate with multi-disciplinary service providers and law enforcement on a weekly basis to provide wraparound services for walk-in clients at the Family Justice Center.
• Work collaboratively with staff and other service providers on a consistent basis to ensure the highest quality service delivery.
• Adhere to mandated reporting requirements as they relate to such issues as child abuse/neglect, suicide/homicide concerns, etc.
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled agency and program meeting including supervision sessions, trainings, case conferences, agency-wide staff meetings, team meetings, individual service plans, inter-disciplinary meetings, etc.
• Represent VIP at conferences, community meetings and special events; including Promoting VIP services at all public functions.
• Capacity building in all programs of the agency – each staff member will demonstrate competency with incorporating financial literacy in the performance of their responsibilities.
• Perform other tasks as required, including any related administrative duties as needed.

Benefits

• We cover 85% of the cost of medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee and dependents.
• Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Accounts available.
• Unlimited Paid Time Off program, 12 paid holidays, a mid-year and end-of-year office closure.
• Summer Friday schedule (optional)
• Commuter benefits (Mass Transit & Parking)
• 403b retirement plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Disability & Life Insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level