Client Advocate

Overview

Client Advocate Jobs in Shakopee, MN at Southern Valley Alliance

Title: Client Advocate

Company: Southern Valley Alliance

Location: Shakopee, MN

1.  Organization & Job Summary 

Southern Valley Alliance (SVA) was founded in 1982 by a victim of domestic abuse. Today, we continue to be the only domestic violence agency serving Scott and Carver counties. Since its founding, the organization has assisted more than 22,000 women, men and children as they try to live healthy, violence-free lives. The SVA mission and vision is to assist victims of domestic violence and end domestic violence in the local community. Current programs include: 24-hour crisis line; crisis intervention and advocacy; legal/court advocacy; support groups and community education. SVA staff members must have the passion to create a better life for those in need and a desire to contribute at both an individual and team level.   

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are vital parts of our service mission at Southern Valley Alliance. As we work to bring healing to survivors of domestic violence, we also recognize the need for healing from injustice and discrimination. We seek to be a place of healing and safety for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship status, physical ability, and religion.

The Client Advocate provides direct service to victims of domestic violence, manages SVA’s victim-related programs, including the Crisis Line, support groups, and supervises Crisis Line Advocates. 

This position description is intended to describe the general content and/or requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship. Duties or change in the duties of this position can be made at any time. 

1. Core Job Functions 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Client Advocacy and Direct Services

1. Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, information and referrals, and ongoing support services to victim/survivors of domestic violence and their family members.
2. Conduct safety planning, assess immediate needs, and assist victim/survivors in determining next steps to enhance safety following an incident.
3. Assist victim/survivors with completing and filing Orders for Protection (OFPs) and Harassment Restraining Orders (HROs), both in person and over the phone.
4. Maintain knowledge of current community resources and services. Develop and maintain relationships with partner organizations and identify new collaborative opportunities to maximize available resources for clients.
5. Assess victim/survivor safety and shelter needs and coordinate transportation to emergency shelter or short-term hotel accommodations when appropriate.
6. Utilize lethality assessments and provide enhanced advocacy services to high-risk victim/survivors, including immediate outreach and intensive safety planning.
7. Coordinate and process victim/survivor requests for financial assistance in accordance with SVA policies and procedures.
8. Collaborate with Carver and Scott County Workforce Centers regarding domestic abuse waivers and safety planning upon request.
9. Maintain accurate and timely client records and data entry for statistical, reporting, and grant-related purposes. 

Crisis Line and Advocacy Program Management

1. Provide direct advocacy services and respond to victim/survivors during regular business hours and as needed to ensure continuous coverage.
2. Manage 24-hour crisis line coverage through a combination of volunteers and paid crisis line advocates.
3. Supervise crisis line volunteers and paid advocates.
4. Manage crisis line software and vendor relationships to ensure seamless coverage during non-business hours, including call forwarding and voicemail systems.
5. Onboard and train weekend and overnight crisis line advocates.
6. Provide ongoing communication to volunteer advocates regarding scheduling, policies, and program updates.
7. Conduct at least two in-person or virtual trainings annually for crisis line advocates.
8. Review and update SVA client resources annually, including the Resource Manual, Safety Planning Brochure, and other client materials.

Manage the Support Group program.  

1. Coordinate existing support groups and expand locations or offerings as needed. 
2. Market support groups quarterly and as needed through community organizations, businesses, faith communities, service groups, and other outreach channels. 
3. Routinely assess, develop, and update support group curriculum. 
4. Develop and implement participant evaluation methods to assess program effectiveness, participant satisfaction, barriers to attendance, and emerging client needs. Use evaluation results to inform program improvements and future planning. 
5. Provide ongoing support to volunteer facilitators and childcare providers. 
6. Serve as a backup facilitator and/or childcare provider when necessary.

Volunteer Management

1. Ensure consistency in the recruitment, selection, placement, training, supervision, and retention of direct service volunteers.
2. Ensure crisis line and support group volunteers are properly onboarded and trained for their specific volunteer roles.
3. Supervise and evaluate volunteer performance.
4. Assist the Volunteer Coordinator with volunteer recruitment and scheduling.

Legal Advocacy Support

1. Provide backup coverage when the Legal Advocate is unavailable.
2. Review crisis email communications each morning for Criminal Justice Intervention (CJI) and lethality assessment reports.
3. Attempt to contact all CJI victims in accordance with agency policy.
4. Provide court advocacy services as needed.

Special Projects and Client Programming

1. Manage and coordinate special projects and client programming initiatives.
2. Coordinate the Gifts of Hope holiday program annually.
3. Co-manage the monthly client newsletter in collaboration with the Legal Advocate.

      Organizational Collaboration and Operations

1. Provide advocacy support and assist with crisis line coverage as needed.
2. Attend and support agency events and special projects.
3. Maintain accurate and timely records, statistics, and reports as required.
4. Participate in the organization's strategic planning process and support the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of organizational goals and objectives.
5. Assist in the development of program goals and budgets.
6. Attend and actively participate in staff meetings and contribute to organizational decision-making and policy development.
7. Collaborate with the Client Services Director to establish annual performance goals and benchmarks that support the organization's strategic priorities.
8. Work in partnership with program staff to identify and coordinate services that meet the needs of clients receiving advocacy and intervention services.
9. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission and goals of the organization.

      IV.           Position Requirements 

 

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

1. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively as part of a team and collaborate with internal staff and external partners.
2. Ability to prioritize responsibilities, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and work independently with minimal supervision.
3. Support the self-determination of victim/survivors through a non-judgmental, trauma-informed, and compassionate approach.
4. Possess the physical and emotional capacity to effectively manage the demands associated with working with victim/survivors of domestic violence.
5. Knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence, victim advocacy, and crisis intervention preferred.
6. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding client, volunteer, personnel, and organizational information.
7. Strong active listening, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
8. Experience with data management, documentation, and recordkeeping.
9. Demonstrate a commitment to maintaining the standards, mission, values, and policies of SVA.
10. Perform duties with sensitivity to the needs of diverse populations and a commitment to providing exceptional client service.
11. Ability to successfully pass a criminal history background check.
12. Possess reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, current vehicle registration, and automobile liability insurance that meets Minnesota requirements.

Education and Experience

1. Associate's degree required; Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered.
2. Two years of experience working in domestic violence services, victim advocacy, crisis intervention, or a related field preferred.
3. Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with diverse individuals, community partners, and organizations.

Working Conditions and Environment 

1. SVA is committed to fostering a fully inclusive work environment and does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality, religion, or other protected characteristics. Staff must be able to work effectively in a mission-driven organization serving a diverse client population.
2. This position is based in an accessible, smoke-free office environment.
3. Regular work hours are generally conducted during normal business hours; however, evening and weekend hours may be required.
4. This position may require prolonged periods of sitting.
5. This position may require extended periods of computer use, including viewing a monitor and keyboarding.
6. SVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.