Jobs

Title: Employment Advocate, full-time, non-exempt position
Program: Economic Justice Program

Job Responsibilities:
The Employment Advocate will focus on increasing the economic independence of survivors of domestic violence through enhanced job readiness and employment support systems. This position works with women rebuilding their lives in the wake of domestic violence, including women living at Sophie’s Place, the shelter and in the community, to ensure that they have the crucial support and understandings of both the business and financial community that will help them overcome the multiple barriers to independence associated with domestic violence. The Employment Specialist is a member of the Direct Services Team (DST) and reports to the Economic Justice Program Director (EJD).

Essential Functions:
1. Job Readiness Skills and Job Search Support:
• Developing a Job Search Plan with service users
• Assist in the drafting of resume’s and cover letters
• Develop Interview Strategies
• Weekly check-in calls and/or meetings
2. Development of Employment Support System:
• Development of comprehensive resources and training that will help workplaces become and remain safe for employees and employers in the face of domestic violence including; Enhancing Human Resource Policies related to Domestic Violence in the workplace, Safety Planning, Employer liability issues and, creating a safe and accessible space for all employees in a workplace where domestic violence is unacceptable. Training will also focus on the barriers that DV victims/survivors face in the workplace.
• Development of comprehensive internal resources for WHBW staff to better serve individuals as they navigate, enter and re-enter the workplace.

3. Advocacy and Direct Service Provision:

• Collaborate with EJD regarding the provision of economic advocacy services to current service users.
• Develop and implement ongoing employment and education workshop series for Transitional Housing Residents.
• Collaborate and coordinate with other WHBW program advocates regarding the provision of agency-wide advocacy services to individuals and families.

4. Program Planning and Development:

• Maintain accurate case files daily. Maintain and report on relevant monthly and quarterly EJP statistics and/or grant reports.
• Work with EJD to identify and develop new economic-related services, resources and tools relevant to survivors of domestic violence.
• Assist EJD with development and maintenance of liaisons with relevant community agencies.
• Assist EJD in maintaining up-to-date files of information on economic resources.
• Monitor policy, legislation and new research surrounding the economic justice issues that may be pertinent to survivors of domestic violence.
• All other administrative and direct service duties as directed by the EJD.

Collective functions:
• Participate in weekly direct services team meetings, monthly all-staff meetings, and supervision meetings with EJD.
• Participate in Agency wide meeting and events.

Education:
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social services or equivalent experience.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Share some supervision with EJD of volunteers, interns and/or work-study students involved in the Program.

Working conditions:
Primarily working in an office environment located at Sophie’s Place. Flexible schedule is required. Local and state-wide travel is required. Provide assistance with coverage for hotline and shelter emergencies as needed.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
• In-depth knowledge of the causes and effects of domestic violence, related safety issues, gender analysis of domestic violence, and multiple oppressions.
• Direct practice experience in victim services and advocacy preferably in a residential program, advocacy and homelessness.
• Demonstrate knowledge of community resources.
• Assessment and case-planning skills.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with internal and external partners.
• Group facilitation skills including team building and conflict resolution.
• Competency regarding serving women and children from multicultural and other underserved populations.
• Experience in the training, supervision and evaluation of interns and volunteers.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings.
• Access to a car and ability to drive and transport.

Contact Jennie, Director of Program Services, at Jennied@whbw.org.

Women Helping Battered Women, Vermont’s largest service provider for survivors of domestic violence and their families, is seeking professionals with accounting or finance experience to join our committed and dynamic Board of Directors. As a Board member, you would help set long terms goals of the organization and make policy decisions and would also be a member of the organization’s fun loving Finance Committee. Please contact Jane Van Buren (Janev@whbw.org) for further information.

Women Helping Battered Women is an EOE.
Please check back for additional opportunities.