Domestic Violence Counselor
JOB HIGHLIGHTS: As part of a dynamic, diverse team of passionate advocates, committed to transforming the world, you will deliver culturally relevant, trauma-informed, counseling services for the adults of domestic violence in the Mt. Vernon District Office.
MAIN AREAS OF FOCUS: Domestic Violence Counseling Services; Crisis intervention; Hotline Support, Outreach and Community Engagement.
LOCATION: This opportunity is at Mt. Vernon, lower Westchester County, New York area providing counseling services delivered in a variety of settings - currently performed in a hybrid between remote (phone and TeleHealth) as well as in-person.
JOB OVERVIEW: As a Counselor – you will work to further MSP’s mission in accordance with our guiding principles as a key role as part of the Family Services Program. The Domestic Violence Counselor is expected to provide critical supportive services in a way that is compassionate and adheres to culturally appropriate best practices ad agency expectations. You will be trained in Anti-Racist principles, to provide trauma-informed, client-centered counseling, crisis intervention, safety planning, referrals and advocacy. Services will be mobile and delivered in a variety of settings to reduce barriers to participation.
You will maintain strong connections to all other MSP program areas, including our Shelter, Child Protective Program and Center for Legal Services. In a highly visible role, you will build and maintain cross-referral partnerships and improve the overall response to domestic violence in the Mt. Vernon region.
YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR...
- Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, counseling and advocacy to those individuals impacted by intimate partner violence.
- Conduct outreach to victims, assessing their emotional and practical needs, as well as explaining the services offered by MSP.
- Provide clients with information and referrals to outside services for themselves and their children
- Represent the agency at community meetings and coalitions
- Provide accompaniments to clients within the Westchester County area including Courts, doctors and housing appointments, Social Security Offices
- Participate in all staff meetings, trainings and/or professional development sessions as directed.
- Maintain program statistics in compliance with funding requirements and objectives
- Representing MSP at community presentations in outreach to establish and strengthen partnerships.
- Participating in MSP trainings, committees, and interdepartmental meetings.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
YOU MUST HAVE…
- Bachelor’s degree and/or minimum of two years of experience working with victims of domestic violence and/or providing counseling to victims of trauma REQUIRED
- Bilingual English/Spanish REQUIRED
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and on a team
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, assess priorities, take initiative, handle multiple assignments, and meet deadlines
- Experience working with children and families, providing counseling, support and advocacy in a variety of settings
- Knowledge of gender based violence, domestic violence, human trafficking, or trauma
- A passionate commitment to principles of anti-oppression
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving and leadership skills
- Ability to manage crises with tact, diplomacy and sound judgment and a willingness to promote integration across agency departments
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Technology proficiencies including using the Microsoft Office Suite, the Apricot database and other web-based platforms
- Valid driver’s license and reliable, insured transportation
YOU’LL BE SUCCESSFUL IF…
As a passionate advocate for social justice, you adopt an anti-oppression lens to understand gender-based violence. You recognize that clients come to MSP while navigating different structural and social injustices that affect their experiences of survivorship. You also understand that this work requires an ongoing commitment to developing the language and tools we need to undo institutional oppression. You are flexible and work well as part of a team and independently. You have excellent time-management skills and demonstrated ability to multi-task. You are accountable to doing what you say you are going to do.
TEAM OVERVIEW: MSP’s Family Services Team consists of a Director, a Coordinator of the Non-Residential Case Management Program, a Senior Advocate, an Adult/Child Counselor, a Family Justice Liaison, a Domestic Violence Advocate, a Domestic Violence Counselor, and two Children’s Counselors. All residential and non-residential services staff works with MSP’s Emergency Shelter, a confidential site in Westchester County, NY.
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW: At MSP, we strongly believe that integrating a world-changing approach into all areas of our work is essential to ending domestic violence and human trafficking. Our dynamic and diverse team of compassionate advocates is working to create a world in which every individual has the basic human right to be free from gender-based violence and to engage in relationships that embrace the principles of respect, equality, and safety.
MSP is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, responding to domestic violence and human trafficking in Westchester County, New York, by providing multi-lingual, trauma-informed legal and supportive services. We bolster our work with clients by engaging in extensive outreach and community education, strengthening the systemic response to all forms of gender-based violence.
GREAT BENEFITS AND PTO PACKAGE: MSP employees enjoy a generous health benefits package that includes dental and vision care. Our Financial Savings Plan reflects a commitment to the future well-being of our employees. PTO and self-care are important to us and we offer a PTO plan that includes, vacation, sick time, personal days as well as summer Fridays.
Job Classification: Regular/Full time/Flexible/Non-Exempt.
Salary: commensurate with experience.
Application Instructions: NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements via email to Micheline Chretien, Coordinator of Non-Residential Case Management, mchretien@mspny.org. Please put job title in the subject line of your email.
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MSP values you, your growth and your contributions. My Sisters’ Place believes that an effective, broad-based movement for social transformation must be rooted in anti-oppression principles as we work towards a more just and equitable society. People of color, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ Community are encouraged to apply. MSP policy prohibits discrimination due to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and national origin in employment and delivery of services.