DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE COUNSELOR ADVOCATE - Orange Office

Organization Description: NELCWIT’s mission is to work within the community to build safety, justice, and dignity for all. We offer shelter referrals, counseling, education/prevention, advocacy, a children’s visitation program, and economic empowerment initiatives to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. As an antiracist, multicultural organization, NELCWIT joins with and mobilizes other groups and individuals working to end domestic violence and sexual abuse, ensure human rights, and create social change. NELCWIT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Direct service employees are members of the local SEIU 509. 

Job Summary: The Domestic and Sexual Violence Counselor/Advocate is a member of NELCWIT’s counseling and advocacy team. This position provides crisis support, short-term counseling, and advocacy for individuals and families whose lives have been impacted by sexual or domestic violence. The position is based in our Orange office. This full-time (35 hours per week) non-exempt position is part of NELCWIT’s collective bargaining unit. 

Essential Job Functions 

• Provide individual and group support services, crisis intervention, and short-term counseling for individuals and families who have experienced domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. 
• Develop plans for supporting clients, including safety plans, and provide information and referrals for ongoing services. 
• Provide medical, police, and legal advocacy for clients. 
• Provide resources and referrals to survivors regarding housing, basic needs, and other community support services. 
• Provide crisis counseling and support for survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who walk in for crisis intervention without appointments as needed.
• Provide counseling and advocacy on NELCWIT’s crisis line for survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking as needed. 

Program 

• Provide individual and group support services, crisis intervention, and short-term counseling for individuals and families who have experienced domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. 
• Develop plans for supporting clients, including safety plans, and provide information and referrals for ongoing services. 
• Provide resources and referrals to survivors regarding housing, basic needs, and other community support services.
• Provide crisis counseling and support to survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who walk in for crisis intervention without appointments as needed. 
• Provide counseling and advocacy on NELCWIT’s crisis line as needed to survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. 

Administration 

• Maintain case records and other data required by the agency. 
• Complete all paperwork as required by the agency and funding sources. 

Other Responsibilities 

• Attend mandatory staff meetings and training
• Provide emergency coverage for crisis line and direct services when necessary
• Other duties as assigned by the managing supervisor and consistent with the job description

Position Status: Union position, 35 hours per week. 

Position Reports to: Program Manager 

Hours of Employment: M-F, 10-5 p.m. Occasional weekends and evening hours. 

Start Date: Immediate 

Pay Scale: $23.30 per hour 

Benefits: 

• Health Insurance: Employer pays 70% of the monthly premium of the Health New England plan 
• Dental Insurance: Optional, 50% monthly premium paid by employer 
• Health Flex Spending Account: Optional pre-tax employee deduction 
• 403(B) Retirement: 1% of employee salary automatically contributed by the employer 
• Short- and Long-Term Disability: Employee is eligible after 6 months of employment. Paid for by the employer. 
• 13 paid holidays and generous paid time off starting at 6 weeks per year and increasing with seniority.

NELCWIT accepts applications by mail or email. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered.

Qualifications: 

• An Associate’s degree or higher in a relevant discipline and/or relevant life and work experience. ? Basic computer literacy and willingness to use data entry software programs for data collection.
• Knowledge of Franklin County area and resources. 
• Ability to model and uphold appropriate boundaries with clients, co-workers, supervisor, and community. 
• Commitment to social change through active participation in undoing racism, classism, homophobia, ableism, ageism, and all oppression. 
• Willingness to learn about and actively use multicultural awareness and understanding in daily work. 
• Commitment to ending violence.