Empowerment Specialist

EXPECTATIONS OF ALL EMPLOYEES

Supports Project Woman’s mission and values by exhibiting the following behaviors: confidentiality and respect for all survivors, Trauma-Informed Responses and Approaches, service excellence and job competence, collaboration and team player, and commitment to our community.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direct supervision of the Community Advocacy and Education Coordinator the Empowerment Specialist works with the community and agencies to provide education about domestic violence and sexual assault; its impact on individuals, families, and the community; and building healthy, non-violent alternatives. May also work with survivors, family members, and secondary survivors providing empowerment focused education

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide prevention and empowerment education to youth and families; survivors, their families, and community groups.

2. Organize and provide presentations to community agencies, schools or businesses on prevention issues as assigned.

3. Maintain knowledge of survivor empowerment models, incorporating best practices and evidenced based materials into education programs.

4. Copy and prepare written materials, supplies, etc. for each program session to ensure accurate documentation for grant/funding requirements, accreditation, and other regulatory oversight.

5. Maintain accurate, complete records of programs and projects (including program sign-in sheets and completed participant pre/posttest evaluations) and provide the Executive Director with monthly status reports in compliance to agency PQI standards and measures.

6. Maintain up-to-date and accurate calendar of events including all scheduled education sessions, special projects, etc. and communicate to agency and appropriate community partners as necessary to maximize attendance.

7. Works with Coordinator to create a comprehensive annual Prevention Calendar; provide community advocacy and prevention activities as necessary

8. Provide school-based awareness and education activities to include All Ready, Safe Dates, bringing in the Bystander, and other evidence-based curriculum.

5. Demonstrate knowledge of Trauma-Informed Approaches and Responses

6. Attends ongoing program meetings and trainings as assigned

7. Maintain accurate, complete records of programs and projects (including program sign-in sheets and completed participant pre/posttest evaluations) to provide necessary status reports

8. Utilize database to record program attendance and demographics

9. Prepares all documentation as necessary per funding or other regulating requirements

10. Attend ongoing program meetings and trainings

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

· General knowledge of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, social services, community organizations, and health services;

· Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries in working with clients.

· Ability to remain calm in crisis situations;

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

· Caring, honest, and cooperative nature;

· Supportive, sensitive, and empathetic personality;

· Strong problem solving skills;

· Ability to be flexible;

· Ability to provide responsive services to a diverse population of program participants;

· Ability to maintain a positive attitude;

· Ability to work collaboratively and independently;

· Ability to respect confidentiality of information learned through providing services; Consistently represent the mission and philosophy of the agency; and

· Maintain effective and cooperative relationships with community partners, participants, other employees, and volunteers.

COMPETENCIES:

· Respectfulness & Relationship Building: Builds constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect.

· Commitment to Quality Service: Builds and maintains client/community satisfaction with the services offered.

· Team Focused & Collaborative: Promotes cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and objectives.

· Self-Accountability & Work Standards: Sets high standards of performance for self and assumes responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks.

· Stress tolerance & Unflappability: Maintains composure in highly stressful or adverse situations.

· Professionalism and Personal Boundaries: Conducts self within appropriate and expected professional boundaries and policies.

· Conflict Management: Helps others to effectively resolve complex or sensitive disagreements or conflicts.

· Valuing Diversity: Helps to create an environment that embraces and appreciates diversity.

· Confidentiality, Integrity, Ethics and Trust: Maintains confidentiality and earns others’ trust and respect through consistent honesty and professionalism in all interactions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position is generally performed in a standard office environment and is moderately active. Work may include sitting and standing for long periods of time. Work in this environment will result in regularly assisting people in acute distress or crisis.

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve non-routine and complex inter-personal issues on behalf of survivors; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work under intensive deadlines with frequent interruptions; and interact with community partners, staff, vendors, survivors, the public and others encountered in the course of work, some of whom may be dissatisfied or abusive individuals. Employees must be able to control their emotions and remain calm. This is a high stress occupation and self-care is essential as is the ability to handle stress in a positive manner.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree preferred. One to three years’ experience with human/social service organizations a plus. An understanding of confidentiality, empathy for victims and their children, and a comprehension of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking and its effects on survivors is essential. Prior experience working with domestic, intimate partner, and sexual violence survivor services preferred. Collaborative and Team Focused. Excellent written, oral and social media/public communication skills; strong creativity, organization and problem-solving abilities. Must be a leader, motivator, problem solver, an effective public speaker, team player, have positive attitude, and be able to engage survivors, families, and youth.

Other Qualifications:

1. Excellent oral and written communications skills

2. Detail oriented and works with a high degree of accuracy

3. Strong organizational abilities and team participation skills

4. Ability to multitask and meet changing deadlines

5. Must be self-directed and able to complete projects with limited supervision

6. Maintains staff and Survivor confidentiality

7. Demonstrated ability to problem solve and be proactive; and to prioritize and handle a variety of projects simultaneously

8. Has the ability to work with a diverse population and provide culturally competent advocacy for same.

9. Stay informed of community resources and coordinated community responses.

10. Maintain a level of comfort and ability around basic technology (email, databases, etc) as well as future systems as our technology needs progress and implement within scope of duties

JOB RELATIONSHIPS

Supervises: None

Supervised by: Community Advocacy & Education Coordinator

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time with or without notice.

Project Woman provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Project Woman complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the agency has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time with or without notice.