POSITION AVAILABLE

Full Time Bilingual Advocate (Spanish/English)

Different Locations As Needed

6/29/2015

Summary: Provides crisis intervention, advocacy, and support services to Spanish-speaking adults, children, and teens. Provides outreach services to domestic violence victims in the Latino community and develops knowledge of networks offering support to Latino clients. Collaborates with coworkers to develop effective programming; to support one another in our professional efforts; and to create and maintain a professional and respectful environment in which growth and healing can take place.

Hours: 40 hours per week – Some evening hours

Qualifications and Characteristics:

  1. Bilingual – Must be able to speak and write both Spanish and English fluently; bicultural preferred.
  1. Education – Bachelor’s degree or higher in social work, psychology, or related field.
  1. Experience – Prefer at least 2 years of experience in domestic violence services, community organization, social services, or advocacy. Experience in facilitating group services strongly preferred. Experience in working with survivors of trauma strongly preferred.
  1. Training – 40-hour Domestic Violence Training required (may be obtained after date of hire).
  1. Technical – Excellent verbal and written communications skills, both Spanish and English.

SEE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION
Family Shelter Service

Position Description (VAWA-Funded)

Position: Full-Time Bilingual Advocate (Spanish/English)

Summary: Provides crisis intervention, advocacy, and support services to Spanish-speaking adults, children, and teens. Provides outreach services to domestic violence victims in the Latino community and develops knowledge of networks offering support to Latino clients. Collaborates with coworkers to develop effective programming; to support one another in our professional efforts; and to create and maintain a professional and respectful environment in which growth and healing can take place.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  1. Provides crisis intervention, case management, advocacy, referrals, and support services to Spanish-speaking adult, child, and teen clients. Provides services at different FSS locations as needed.
    a. Meets one-on-one with clients for triage appointments.

b. Meets with individual clients for time-limited case management sessions.
c. Answers Spanish-language helpline calls. Monitors and returns messages left in the Spanish-language helpline voicemail.

  1. Facilitates support and educational groups.
    a. Facilitates a minimum of three client groups per week.
    b. Assists with client pre-group interviews and assessments.
  2. Provides outreach services to victims of domestic violence in the Spanish-speaking communities of DuPage County (e.g. health or school fairs, community presentations).
  3. Assists with and/or coordinates special events for clients.
  4. Assists with translation of FSS materials into Spanish, and other documents as needed.
  5. Participates in training for agencies and community groups.
    a. Facilitates/assists with FSS 40-hour training, specifically the “Immigration and Cultural Issues” session.
    b. Assists with community-based trainings as needed.
  6. Participates in CS Team, Latino Program Team, and supervision meetings.
  7. Attends FSS and community committees as needed.
  8. Prepares proper documentation of services for all client files (case notes, intakes, service plans, etc.).
  9. Remains cognizant of current developments in the field of domestic violence.
  10. Performs other duties as reasonably assigned.

Relationships:

  1. Supervised by the Latino Program Coordinator.
  2. Establishes and maintains working relationships with community referral agencies and legal system personnel, with an emphasis on those who serve Latino clients.
  3. Works with agency staff, interns, and volunteers in all programs to provide effective, high-quality services to FSS clients.
  4. Collaborates with bilingual staff within agency across programs; participates in Latino Program Team meetings.

Qualifications and Characteristics:

  1. Bilingual – Must be able to speak and write both Spanish and English fluently; bicultural preferred.
  2. Education – Bachelor’s degree or higher in social work, psychology, or related field.
  3. Experience – Prefer at least 2 years of experience in domestic violence services, community organization, social services, or advocacy. Experience in facilitating group services strongly preferred. Experience in working with survivors of trauma strongly preferred.
  4. Training – 40-hour Domestic Violence Training required (may be obtained after date of hire).
  5. Professional Approach: Demonstrates and empathic, non-judgmental, service-oriented attitude in work with clients. Recognizes clients as the experts of their own lives; partners with clients to recognize and build upon their strengths. Demonstrates an understanding of the impact of trauma on individuals and families. Familiarity/experience with short-term interventions (e.g. solution-focused; crisis intervention; trauma-focused CBT) preferred.
  6. Personal: Demonstrates self-awareness, insight, and a commitment to ongoing professional growth. Values and practices respectful, non-violent communication. Models healthy boundaries and good self-care with clients and coworkers.
  7. Technical – Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communications skills in both Spanish and in English.
  8. Leadership – Responds appropriately in varied situations and is able to function independently. Demonstrates professionalism, flexibility, and good judgment. Demonstrates commitment to teamwork and collaborative decision-making.

Special Conditions:

  1. Must be bilingual in Spanish/English; bicultural preferred.
  2. Must be willing to shift work schedule in order to meet client needs.
  3. Must be able to work some evenings and some weekends.
  4. Must be able to operate general office equipment and computer.

Classification Status:

Exempt

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Family Shelter Service does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.

Family Shelter Service · 605 E. Roosevelt Rd. · Wheaton, IL 60187 · Administration (630) 221-8290