Counselor Advocate

Position: Counselor Advocate, Bronx Community Program

Department: Community Programs

Location(s): Bronx

Reports To: Program Manager

Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Work Model: Hybrid

Compensation: $30.22/hour, non-negotiable

# of Positions: 1

The Violence Intervention Program (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 Counselor Advocate provides crisis intervention and self-empowerment counseling in both individual and group settings to survivors of gender-based violence. The role also delivers direct services, including holistic case assessment, case management, and advocacy across criminal legal, social welfare, housing, immigration, and other related systems.

Essential Functions:

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 program participant (s) needs/goals and 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 and 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 participants throughout the legal, immigration, social, and human resources systems. This includes over the phone, in-person, and through written correspondence promptly.

Assist participants with educational needs by advocating for tutoring services, school placement, parent/teacher/child involvement, and medical services.

Stay abreast of changes in 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) on time for all clients.

Develop service plans with measurable outcomes and services 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 clients' safety 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 participants, 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 age-appropriate clients on an ongoing basis around the issues of conflict resolution, separation, 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 age-appropriate bi-lingual support groups.

Provide counseling, case management, and collaborate with multi-disciplinary service providers and law enforcement weekly to provide wraparound services for walk-in clients at the Family Justice Center.

Work collaboratively with staff and other service providers consistently to ensure the highest quality service delivery.

Adhere to mandated reporting requirements relating to issues such as child abuse/neglect, suicide/homicide concerns, etc.

Attend and participate in regularly scheduled agency and program meetings including supervision sessions, trainings, case conferences, agency-wide staff meetings, team meetings, individual service plans, inter-disciplinary meetings, etc.

Conduct community outreach and /or educational workshops as needed by the program.

Report Language access issues as they occur to Associate or Senior Directors.

Capacity building in all agency programs – each staff member will demonstrate competency by incorporating financial literacy in their responsibilities.

Perform other tasks as required, including any related administrative duties as needed.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree or relevant experience

Fully Bilingual Required (English/Spanish – verbal and written).

Must have advocacy and/or counseling experience in domestic violence, women and children’s issues, or related fields.

Strong verbal and written communication and documenting skills.

Must be well-organized, work independently and collectively, and maintain 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 machines, fax machines, 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.

Compensation & Benefits

Full-time, non-exempt position, working 35 hours per week with a pay rate of $55,000/year.

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

Please visit our website to apply and for more information about the role: https://violenceinterventionprogram.bamboohr.com/careers/