YWCA KNOXVILLE & THE TENNESSEE VALLEY

Position Title: Anderson County Advocate and Liaison to DCS

Supervisor: Assistant Director of Victim Services

Job Type: Full-Time (37.5 hours weekly), Salary

Overview:

YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women in East Tennessee. We live this mission every day in six counties, bringing lifesaving and life-changing services and transforming our communities. Our values, rooted in an intersectional mission of antiracism, promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. YWCA leads initiatives for women who would otherwise be homeless, survivors of domestic violence, families, and young people across the region. Our dynamic workplace promotes excellence and balance and places high value on innovation, collaboration, and growth. Join us!

Under general supervision of the Assistant Director of Victim Services, provides professional and programmatic leadership and advocacy services to victims of domestic violence interacting with the Department of Children’s Services (DCS), the court system, and partners supporting domestic violence interventions in Anderson County. Acts as a community and professional resource to ensure that the needs of victims and the program are met. Implements activities and professional trainings to promote and meet the mission and goals of the YWCA.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Using knowledge of YWCA programs and policies, promotes YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley’s Mission Statement in the community and interacts with other YWCA personnel, volunteers, and staff to meet the goals of the program. Participates in YWCA activities as required.
• Recruits, develops, and maintains positive relationships with community partners. Ensures successful execution of programming focused on safety, empowerment, and acquisition of transitional and permanent housing for clients.
• In collaboration with DCS and associated court system, community, and partners, identifies and supports victims and their children through resource linkage, advocacy, and domestic violence related services.
• Works with DCS, law enforcement, court system, government entities and others to assure victims are receiving the highest quality of support as they navigate these systems.
• Provides a confidential environment for victims to process their needs, free of judgement or expectation for victims to follow-through on services.
• Works closely with the OCJP approved technical assistants to implement best practices for programming.
• Attends appropriate trainings and trains, teaches, and guides staff, community members, and fellow partners in the implementation of domestic violence related program activities.
• Attends workshops, community initiatives, collaborative meetings, and events to advance the work of domestic violence victim advocacy.
• Co-locates at the Anderson County Family Justice Center, and the Anderson, Roane, and Loudon County DCS offices to provide increased access to victims of domestic violence navigating the DCS system.
• Works collaboratively as an integral part of the YWCA Victim Services team, offering guidance and support to other victim service providers.
• Keeps thorough and organized documentation of caseload efforts and executes accurate data collection to ensure effective, data-driven program implementation.
• Attends scheduled staff and agency wide meetings and weekly supervision with direct supervisor.
• Assists the Assistant Director of Victim Services in special projects as requested and understands flexibility is a key component of the position.
• Assures that confidentiality is maintained regarding all client information and agency proprietary information, including but not limited to record storage, organization, and maintenance in compliance with VAWA, HIPAA, and other confidentiality policies, laws, and requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Pay Information: $40,000/year

Schedule:

• 5 hours weekly
• Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, 30-minute unpaid break during shift

Work Locations:

• 1660 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge 37830

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability and Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Competitive Retirement Plan
• Generous PTO including 10 holidays (and the week between Christmas and New Years Day), Sick Leave, Mental Health Days, and Vacation Time

Preferred qualifications:

• Passion about working in an organization that values and promotes antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Embraces and actively promotes an inclusive and equitable work environment for all.
• Strong attention to detail, excellent judgment, and the ability to work without close supervision.
• Minimum education for this position is a bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, or a related field of study. Candidates with high school diploma and 5+ years of experience may be considered. Lived experience relevant to this role may also be considered in lieu of educational experience.
• Experience providing case management, trauma-informed, and trauma-responsive models.
• Knowledge of and experience in Anderson County resources.
• Understanding of DCS and court protocols.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Requires skills and life experiences that indicate sensitivity to domestic and sexual violence and individuals with significant barriers.
• Requires possession of organizational, numerical, communication, computer, and interpersonal skills.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) is a benefit.

YWCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and United Way Community Partner. In line with our mission, YWCA is a safe and welcoming environment for clients, partners, and employees. We actively pursue diversity in our team members and are committed to personal and professional growth in areas of racial and social justice, including racial equity, justice, and healing; gender identity and sexual orientation; religion; immigration; and intersectionality. Women, historically excluded populations, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

TO APPLY: please provide a resume (including references), a cover letter, and a completed YWCA application form (available at www.ywcaknox.com) delivered in person, or via US or other mail service, or by email to:

HR Department

YWCA Knoxville

420 West Clinch Avenue

Knoxville, TN 37902

Email: nstair@ywcaknox.com