Domestic Violence Counselor

Reporting Relationships: The Domestic Violence Counselor report to the Supervisor of Family Services.

Position Summary: The Domestic Violence Counselor is responsible for providing advocacy, referrals, counseling and crisis intervention services to families to enable the family return to independent living.  It includes the intake, assessment, service plan development, as well as direct intervention and coordination of ancillary services, both on and off site.  The incumbent will have a thorough knowledge of issues revolving around families with domestic violence issues, and develop strategies which help to resolve and meet family needs.

Nature and Scope: This position challenges one to provide high quality social services assistance to clients who may be in crisis and/or resistant to being helped.  The Domestic Violence Counselor must be able to evaluate each client’s strengths and weaknesses and with the client, develop a service plan that will best serve their needs.  With some clients, the Domestic Violence Counselor must first work to stabilize the family unit, addressing such problems as substance abuse, poor money management skills, poor housekeeping skills, or lack of parenting skills before appropriate permanent housing can be assessed. 

In consultation with the Supervisor of Family Services, the Domestic Violence Counselor will conduct individual counseling sessions with any client and /or their children who may exhibit signs of stress including but not limited to depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, etc.  He / She will conduct a thorough assessment and make an appropriate referral for long term psychotherapy as needed.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the general supervision of the Supervisor of Family Services, Domestic Violence Counselors are expected to perform the following duties and responsibilities.

• Responsible for: Individual, family and group crisis intervention, advocacy and referral.
• Interviews clients to evaluate and individualized their immediate needs and gather background information for development of a psycho-social assessment and referrals.
• Provides on going psycho-social assessment and evaluation as a basis for developing appropriate referrals, treatment planning, and other interventions.
• Provides specific, ongoing information, counseling and advocacy services to effect appropriate referrals.
• Develops mutually realized goals for clients to enable improved independent living.
• Development of curriculums & facilitation of workshops and psycho-educational groups.
• Serves as liaison to appropriate support service agencies and programs (Health facilities, Board of Education, etc.)
• Coordinate and ensure the provision of on and off-site client services to meet the psychological, medical, educational and concrete needs of resident families.
• Maintains up-to-date confidential records on clients.
• Develops community-based and/or knowledge in a particular case management specialty, (housing, employment, OMH, DOH, BOE, etc.)
• Completes daily and monthly activities reports
• Conducts work related functions with staff, clients and others, in a professional manner.
• Complies with AAPCI policies and procedures.
• Maintains professional growth and responsibilities.

Performs other related duties as may be requested

Minimal Qualifications:

Degree Requirements: Master’s Degree in an appropriate social service field (Social Work, Psychology, or similar field) and (2) years’ experience, or Bachelor’s Degree with (4) years’ experience.

At least two (2) years of appropriate social work experience, as well as experience with clinical interventions with families and disadvantaged populations.

At least two (2) years’ experience in residential care settings with high-risk families, fluency with group work practice, and knowledge of family dynamics and therapy, substance abuse, housing programs, and advocacy, the homeless family system in NYC and client entitlements and Tier II regulations are necessary. 

Excellent grant writing and communication skills are essential for this position.

Bilingual (Spanish) is desirable.

Other Qualifications:

• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills with focus on providing excellent client services.
• Strong written communication skills and ability to complete reports, as assigned
• Demonstrate ability to interact effectively and collaboratively with a diverse community of residents, program staff and external vendors.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and apply problem solving skills.
• Experience working collaboratively in a team oriented and outcomes focused environment.

Compensation

The base salary compensation range being offered for this role is $66,150 per year.

Benefits

AAPCI provides a competitive benefit package which includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):

•           Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental & Vision

•           Commuter Benefits

•           Employee Assistance Program

•           Paid Holidays, Annual Paid Time Off (23 days)

•           Life Insurance

•           Long Term Disability

•           Retirement Benefits Plan (403B)

•           You may also get your college student debt forgiven tax free on Federal Direct Loans created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, PSLF, if you work full-time and after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a Qualifying Repayment Plan.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AAPCI is an equal employment opportunity employer, and understands that embracing our differences makes us a stronger, better agency. We appreciate the importance of having a workforce that reflects the various communities in which we work and we strive to create an inclusive environment where diverse employees want to work and where they can flourish professionally. In furtherance of our culture, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristics protected by law.