Lead Advocate- Omaha, NE at Catholic Charities of Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska

Job Description:

Lead Advocate

Position Summary:

A Domestic Violence Advocate provides crisis intervention, advocacy, and support to survivors of domestic violence/sexual assault/human trafficking and their children both in a shelter setting and through a hotline. This support may include one-on-one interaction, support groups, and community collaboration. Advocates support and assist survivors to meet their physical, social, and behavioral needs in a healthy and safe manner.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provides/facilitates education/support for clients in one-on-one or group setting.
• Provide day-to-day delivery of services, problem solving, and service coordination. Provides advocacy and support to individuals calling on the hotline.
• Supports and advocates for families and clients in meeting their physical, social, and behavioral needs in a healthy and safe manner. Manages needs of the shelter, such as stocking supplies and providing items to clients.
• Develops and fosters community partnerships (social services, education, health care, law enforcement, and legal systems) to advocate for domestic violence/sexual assault survivors
• Maintains a safe and clean environment. Ensures safety and cleanliness of kitchen, bathrooms, office and community spaces. Launders shelter linens, and cleans shelter bedrooms in collaboration with clients.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Reliable attendance is an expectation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of domestic violence/sexual assault and the needs, problems, and attitudes related to the victims or a willingness to learn.
• Ability to communicate sensitively and without judgment.
• Ability to abide by agency regulations regarding confidentiality and ethics.
• Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with clients, co-workers, and other agency staff.
• Ability to use good judgment and communication when reaching decisions.
• Ability to respond to and de-escalate crisis situations appropriately.
• Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Strong planning and organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure.
• Dependable, positive, self-directed, and motivated.
• Knowledge of or experience working with people from diverse groups.
• Ability to show sensitivity to the service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care practices with an emphasis on empowerment, power differentials, and gender issues.
• Computer proficiency including MS word, excel, power point, outlook.
• Ability to make decisions in emergency situations and the absence of supervisor.
• Knowledge of local community resources.

Required of All Positions:

• Knowledge and support of Catholic Charities' purpose, mission, vision, values, and ethical standards.
• Knowledge and support of the Catholic Charities Compliance Program requirements including - but not limited to - the Code of Ethics, the Compliance Policy, and all relevant compliance procedures.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to the service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

Work Experience:

• 6 months experience working with the public or on a work team is required.
• One-year experience working within human services or behavioral health is preferred.

Education Level:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• 4-Year College Degree preferred

Licensure, Certifications, and other Designations:

• 4-year degree in social work or related human services field preferred.
• CPR and First Aid certification or ability to obtain within first 3 months of employment
• Valid Nebraska Driver's License and Insurability