Comprehensive Community Advocate

Join our health and human services Agency, which has provided world-class services for the Jewish and non-Jewish communities in Northeast Ohio for 150 years.

JFSA of Cleveland has an immediate opening for a full-time Comprehensive Community Advocate to provide case management, safety planning, and advocacy services to victims of domestic violence in culturally diverse populations. This position includes working at least 2 evenings per week and requires assisting clients in achieving goals to increase safety and promote healthy life choices.

Key responsibilities:

• Assess the lethality of a client’s situation and provide safety planning services.
• Provide assessment and service plan for clients
• Educate client on domestic violence dynamics and healthy relationships
• Provide supportive coaching and crisis intervention to domestic violence clients
• Link clients to appropriate services within the agency and in the greater community
• Advocate for clients within the justice system
• Provide support to domestic violence victims during interviews with attorneys and prosecutors
• Explain victims’ rights as set by the State of Ohio
• Orient victims to Civil and Criminal justice system by explaining procedures and offering accompaniment to court
• Maintain appropriate documentation.
• Participates in regular supervision and team meetings
• Demonstrates awareness of, follows all safety policies and procedures, and adheres to all recommended safe work practices. Also contributes to the control of hazards in specified area of responsibility.
• Keeps up to date with best practices surrounding domestic violence safety planning
• Performs other duties or special projects as required or as assigned.
• May need to transport clients in personal vehicle on occasional basis.
• Collaborate with staff on special projects as needed.
• Serve as a community liaison and community educator as needed.

Benefits:

• 403(b) retirement savings plan with match
• Medical, dental, life, and vision insurance
• Company-paid life insurance
• Flexible spending and health savings accounts
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays and sick time

Come join our team and make a difference in the lives of others!

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field required and/or relevant domestic violence experience is required
• Masters degree in social work or related field a plus

Experience:

• Two years post-degree professional work
• 2 years experience working with domestic violence cases and group facilitation is preferable

Other Requirements:

• LSW or equivalent preferred
• Maintain valid driver's license and personal auto insurance
• Must have a reliable personal automobile available on a daily basis

Knowledge and Skills Required:

• Considerable knowledge of civil and criminal court system; crisis intervention practices, interviewing, community referrals and resources, crime victimization; victims’ rights and advocacy techniques
• Show competent knowledge of Agency and services provided
• Ability to make sensitive and insightful observations of individuals and to determine a course of intervention
• Ability to address crisis situations and respond with prompt decision and action
• Knowledge regarding domestic violence safety issues
• Knowledge of social, emotional, and personal aspects of domestic violence
• Possesses a Trauma Informed approach to working with clients
• Working knowledge of community resources available for victims of domestic violence
• Ability to perform job duties with a high degree of initiative and independent judgment
• Sensitivity to working with diverse cultures and language abilities
• Ability to organize work, engage in a variety of tasks, and consistently meet deadlines
• Demonstrate sound judgment and outstanding interpersonal skills
• Emotional maturity, stability, personal integrity, initiative and resourcefulness
• Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with staff, board members, accrediting bodies, funding bodies, clients, volunteers, and the general public.
• Solid written and verbal communication skills

Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. In accordance with applicable law, we prohibit discrimination against any applicant or employee based on any legally-recognized basis, including, but not limited to: race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, ethnic group, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.

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