Summary
The Family Justice Center of Erie County is accepting applications for the Ursula Forem Domestic Violence Fellowship, which offers a unique opportunity for recent college graduates (2014-17) and current graduate students to join Erie County’s leading provider of support services to victims of domestic violence. This is a full time (37.5 hours per week) paid position with benefits that will run from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019 and will report directly to the Executive Director & Development Director. The Family Justice Center of Erie County provides one safe location for domestic violence victims to obtain a full continuum of services, including, but not limited to crisis counseling, safety planning, court advocacy, and injury documentation to victims of domestic violence and their children.
The Fellow would assist with leading a community initiative aimed at expanding and improving domestic violence services for victims residing in Erie County, specifically Grand Island, NY. The Fellow will work closely with the Family Justice Center, under the direction of the Executive Director & Development Director, partnering agencies, and a community coalition created specifically to support this initiative. The first year the Fellow will assist with developing a plan to create a Family Justice Center satellite office in the Grand Island community. The second year will be spent implementing the plan and operating the satellite office. The fellow will act in the capacity of the on-site domestic violence advocate providing direct services to domestic violence victims accessing the Family Justice Center satellite. Throughout the length of the fellowship, the fellow will have the opportunity to provide community training/outreach on domestic violence and the resources available at the satellite.
Responsibilities
- Assisting the Family Justice Center and the Coalition through the planning and development phase of the satellite initiative
- Building and maintaining relationships with the community coalition and partner agencies
- Assisting with the creation of a sustainability plan for the satellite initiative
- Coordinating a public awareness/outreach campaign to educate the community on domestic violence and the resources available for victims; conduct domestic violence related presentations and trainings to the public
- Serving as the Family Justice Center’s domestic violence advocate stationed at the Grand Island satellite office – provide immediate support, crisis intervention, risk assessment, safety planning, and referrals to victims of domestic violence and assist victims with order of protection options, drafting family offense petitions, e-filing or web-conferencing with family court
- Maintain client confidentiality as well as client and administrative records according to agency policy.
- Attend in-service education, trainings, clinical supervision and professional meetings as required.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
- Represent oneself and the agency in a professional manner at all times.
Qualifications
- Master’s Degree (graduation 2014 – 2017) or current student in second year of Master’s program in counseling, social work, or related field. Preference will be given to recent college graduates.
- Previous experience working with victims of domestic violence and their children preferred.
- Working understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse in adults and children.
- Proven ability to effectively engage and successfully advocate for clients.
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive professional relationships.
- Excellent project management and facilitation skills
- Skilled collaborator and communicator
- Demonstrated strong work ethic, ability to work independently, and ability to contribute to team objectives required.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to use computer-based information systems.
- Valid driver’s license and vehicle for transportation required.