Women’s Resource Center
Newport, RI
Salary: $38,000 – 40,000/year
Start Date: 10/1/2022
Full Time, Permanent
Bilingual (Spanish/English/Portuguese) preferred
Benefits: Health and dental insurance, supplemental insurance, paid holiday, vacation, sick and personal time, retirement plan with employer matching, employee assistance program, employee wellness program, flexible schedule, hybrid work model.
POSITION SUMMARY
The LGBTQ Advocate will report to the Director of Client Services during the onboarding and training process. The LGBTQ will assist and serve those who identify as LGBTQ and have a history of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and/or stalking. Additionally, the LGBTQ Advocate will build the capacity of existing domestic violence court advocates located at all four courthouses throughout Rhode Island to better serve LGBTQ survivors. There is a focus on partnering with organizations in RI that are led by and for the LGBTQ community and facilitate referrals to DV member agencies and other service providers. This position will place a special focus on addressing populations with multiple levels of marginalization, such as people of color, immigrants, low-income, housing insecure, and other traditionally underserved people
ROLE SPECIFIC DUTIES
Training and Educating:
• Train our DV Court Advocacy Program staff at the courthouses and other domestic violence service providers throughout the state about the diversity of families experiencing DV and involved with our court system
• Educate about the barriers experienced by LGBTQ survivors as they seek safety, services and supportive care, and best practices for effectively supporting LGBTQ survivors.
Community Engagement
• Collaboration with statewide organizations led by and for the LGBTQ communities and other social service organizations who may serve populations with multiple levels of marginalization.
• Develop service referral process for and do ongoing follow-up
Direct Service:
• Provide trauma-informed direct services to victims of domestic abuse including support, advocacy, crisis intervention, safety planning, information, and referrals to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault involved in court proceedings.
• Inform victims of the availability of protective orders and assist victims in obtaining orders when appropriate.
• Respond effectively to challenging situations with clients
General Responsibilities:
• Adhere to agency policies and work rules, including strict adherence to WRC confidentiality policies and code of ethics
• Maintain client files, agency files, statistics, forms, and other record keeping as required
• Attend and actively participate in agency meetings as required, including department meetings, and regularly scheduled supervision meetings
• Maintain professional boundaries
• Attend training and continuing education activities as assigned
• Maintain current knowledge of changes in policies and procedures, new community resources, and other information
• Evaluate program outcomes
• Other duties as assigned
Essential Skills:
• Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the organization
• Knowledge of domestic violence issues
• Knowledge of LGBTQ related issues
• Ability to work with diverse populations
• Ability to interact sensitively with traumatized populations and to handle crisis appropriately
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
• Experience in the human services field
• Must have a reliable vehicle with active registration and insurance
• Required BCI Background Check
• Bilingual (Spanish/English/Portuguese) preferred
The Women’s Resource Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The organization does not discriminate against a volunteer, an employee or applicant in employment of conditions or opportunities for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status such as disability, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.
How to Apply
Please send cover letter and resume to careers@wrcnbc.org
ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY:
Founded in 1977, the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) has a long history of providing a full range of compassionate, comprehensive direct services to survivors of domestic violence. Over the past fifteen years, the WRC has also been at the forefront of innovative prevention practice nationally. The WRC’s purpose is to work with the community to end violence, combining survivor-centered service delivery with evidence-informed prevention strategies. We engage a myriad of governmental and state agencies, organizational partners, and diverse local residents of all ages, races, ethnicities, languages, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds to ensure that survivors have the supports they need, while simultaneously working to create healthy, safe communities.
The WRC is committed to being at the top of our field with all of our services and practice. We prioritize organizational and staff development, to ensure that all of our practices reflect best practices in the field. In addition, we are participating in Move to End Violence, a national project focused on centering the domestic violence movement on the experiences of marginalized communities. Members of our staff have attended local, regional, and national trainings as well as webinars to continue to grow their professional skills.
The Women’s Resource Center has many strengths to build on including a strong revenue base from state and federal funds and foundation grants, a diverse, highly committed, engaged, and experienced staff providing unique, highly mission driven programs; competent management; and statewide recognition for excellence in programming in the areas of primary prevention and counseling as well as state leadership in connecting victims to DHS support.
Mission
Leading domestic violence prevention through the empowerment of individuals and the community by providing advocacy, education and support services.
Values
Social justice
We believe that our community has the ability to achieve domestic peace.
Individual empowerment
We believe in the potential for individual change.
Community commitment
We believe in the power of working collaboratively with our community to compassionately
and confidentially provide best practices in a safe and accessible environment.
Agency commitment
We believe in providing a diverse, respectful, and safe environment to work, learn and grow.