Counselor - Domestic Violence Advocate in BELLEVILLE, New Jersey at RWJBarnabas Health

Job Title: Counselor - Domestic Violence Advocate

Location: Clara Maass Medical Center

Department Name: Grant - DYFS Safe House

Req #: 0000267032

Status: Hourly

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $30.00 - $36.82 per hour

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

Domestic Violence Advocate – The Safe House

At The Safe House, Domestic Violence Advocates become part of a purpose-driven environment where compassion, teamwork, and survivor-centered care create meaningful opportunities to support individuals and families on their journey toward safety and healing. This Domestic Violence Advocate role offers opportunities for professional growth, supportive collaboration, and a culture committed to safety, dignity, and continuous improvement. As a Domestic Violence Advocate, you will play an essential role in serving as a vital point of contact for survivors, balancing operational excellence with a compassionate, trauma-informed approach. Joining The Safe House means joining a community where every advocate is encouraged to grow, contribute, and make a lasting impact.

A typical day for a Domestic Violence Advocate may include:

• Providing immediate crisis intervention and individual support counseling to assist victims of domestic violence in recognizing their own strengths and developing their own capabilities.
• Assisting clients with comprehensive service planning and developing tailored safety plans for victims and their children.
• Supporting Family Justice Center (FJC) workflows by assisting Case Workers with client cases and managing onsite operations.
• Answering hotline calls to provide critical resources, information, and immediate supportive referrals.
• Connecting clients to the community by referring them to on-site or external community partners based on their unique needs.
• Transporting clients safely to essential social service agencies, including Welfare offices, court, or police stations.
• Maintaining accurate, thorough, and highly confidential records in compliance with program standards.
• Representing the organization by speaking clearly, concisely, and confidently during community presentations.
• Executing adjacent duties as assigned by the Director or Coordinator to support the overall mission of the facility.

This role might be for you if:

• Compassion and empathy define how you interact with survivors, families, and colleagues.
• You remain calm, patient, and professional in challenging, crisis-driven, or emotionally charged situations.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills help you connect effectively with individuals from varying cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds.
• You value teamwork and enjoy collaborating independently and cooperatively with interdisciplinary care teams and community networks.
• Supporting patient dignity, safety, and emotional well-being is central to your approach.
• Proven sensitivity to diverse values, attitudes, and backgrounds allows you to advocate effectively for all survivors.

To be considered for this Domestic Violence Advocate opportunity, you are passionate about supporting individuals and families seeking safety and behavioral health resources while helping create a secure, respectful, and efficient environment.

Qualifications:

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred OR a minimum of 3 years of experience working in the Domestic Violence field.
• Core Knowledge: Deep knowledge of the dynamics of Domestic Violence.
• Training: Completion of 40-hour Domestic Violence Training preferred (or to be completed within 6 months of hire).
• Language: Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.
• Communication & Professional Skills: Good communication skills and the ability to work cooperatively and independently. Ability to speak clearly, concisely, and confidently for presentations.
• Cultural Competency: Demonstrates experience with and sensitivity to varying cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds, values, and attitudes.