Domestic Violence Advocate

General Summary:

Domestic Violence Advocates provides assessment, support, and advocacy services to complainants who are victims and survivors of family violence. Duties include assessing strengths, needs, risks, and resources available; formulating safety plans; and increasing awareness about domestic violence and family issues. Advocates are responsible for assisting complainants with initiating protective order applications; linking them with police agencies to file criminal charges; linking them with community resources; making Children's and Adult Protective Services reports; reporting to court prosecutors; and providing court accompaniment and advocacy services as needed. Occasionally advocates testify as expert witnesses regarding domestic violence issues, including common traits of survivors and offenders, the impact of mental illness and substance abuse on domestic violence, and risk assessment. Domestic Violence Advocates provide an advanced level of knowledge in crisis intervention, supportive counseling, and the ability to work with DVB clients (victim/survivors) with higher needs: suicidal, mental health, complex and complicated cases, specialized and high risk cases.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assess clients for risk, protective factors, and emotional well-being and assist in formulating and coordinating a safety / stabilization / well-being plan including protective orders, bond conditions, crisis intervention, and supportive counseling.
• Follow-up with client to assess plan implementation and provide additional support and/or referrals as needed through the process of the criminal case or protective order process.
• Complete case documentation through accurate records and statistics.
• Provide expert testimony in domestic violence cases.
• Provide support to family of Intimate Partner Violence Homicide cases throughout the pendency of the case and assist prosecutor with interviews and court accompaniment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work independently with minimal direction
• Ability to analyze complex evidence and situations
• Ability to communicate effectively with other stakeholders
• Ability to communicate empathetically with survivors and next of kin

Required Education/ Experience:

• Education: Bachelors required in social service field. Masters preferred.
• Languages: Bilingual preferred.
• Other: 2+ years DV experience or experience in social services, preferred.

Hours:

• This is a full time, in-person position. Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours may vary based on the business needs of the department.

Salary:

• Salary Range: $50-80k per year (depending on experience and qualifications)

Benefits:

Harris County offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package for regular (full-time) employees, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Wellness programs
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 10 vacation days per year during the first five years of service (increases with tenure)
• 11 County holidays plus 1 floating holiday
• Professional development opportunities
• Dependent Care and Healthcare Reimbursement Accounts
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

Additional benefits may be available to regular full-time and eligible part-time employees:

• Retirement pension through the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS)
• Transportation assistance through the Metro Ride Sponsor Program

Application Notice:

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide individual status updates. If selected for an interview, you will be contacted directly by a recruiter. We sincerely appreciate your interest in joining our team.