Counselor / Advocate (Full Time) - Oxford, PA at Domestic Violence Center of Chester County – West Chester, Pennsylvania

Title: Outreach Counselor/Advocate

Primary Work Location: Oxford

Department: Counseling

Work Week: This is a full-time (40 hours/week) position with typical hours of 8:30 AM–4:30 PM. The role requires flexibility to work occasional evening hours to accommodate client counseling sessions and occasional weekend hours for community events.

Status: Nonexempt

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Job Summary: Provides counseling, intervention and referrals to vulnerable victims of abuse and their dependent children.

Job Responsibilities:

Maintain strict confidentiality of all client identification and information. May disclose confidential information only with valid, informed consent from a client or party legally authorized to consent on behalf of client.

Provide victims with crisis counseling, follow-up counseling, group treatment/ support groups, shelter/safe house, information and referral, emergency financial assistance, special services and telephone contact/information and referral. Duties required but not limited to the following:

• Provides crisis counseling which includes in-person crisis intervention, emotional support, guidance, and counseling.

• Provides follow-up counseling which includes in-person and telephone individual emotional support, empathetic listening, and guidance for other than crisis reaction after the victimization that is designed to meet the needs of victim survivors.

• Provides group treatment/support groups which include the coordination and provision of supportive group activities. This category includes self-help, peer, social support, drop-in groups, and community crisis intervention in a group setting designed specifically for victim survivors.

• Assists participants with accessing DVCCC’s shelter and transitional housing programs and accessing permanent housing.

• Provides information and referrals which includes in-person contact with victims to identify services offered and support available by sub-grant projects and other community agencies.

• Provides emergency financial assistance which includes payment for taxis, food, emergency shelter, clothing, and emergency safety measures.

• Provides special services which include assistance with addressing the immediate practical problems created by the victimization. This also includes acting on behalf of the survivor with other service providers, securing childcare for counseling or other appointments that pertain to the victimization and securing transportation that assist the survivor with attending appointments relevant to the victimization.

• Work one day weekly at main office assisting in answering hotline and shelter coverage.

REQUIRED TRAINING

• Attend a minimum of 10 hours of training annually.

• Assist with training other individuals in the Social Service Systems.

TEAM WORK

• Complete a monthly progress and challenge report for supervisor.

• Document program participant information in the database system daily.

• Attends staff meetings, other required meetings, and in-service trainings.

• Participates in all agency-wide events: 45-hour advocate training; October awareness; volunteer recognition; various celebrations; fairs, etc.

• Assist with accomplishing agency-wide annual goals and objectives.

• Assist with keeping the facility clean and neat.

• Work collaboratively with social service agencies, hospitals, clinics, and other community resources to assist with external coordination of services for victim/survivors.

• Any and all duties assigned by the COO and/or CEO

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Able to work under pressure and adhere to deadlines.

• Strong commitment to the mission and goals of DVCCC, professional work goals and personal development.

• Through knowledge and understanding of issues confronted by victims of abuse.

• Able to work with victims of domestic abuse and their children. Able to work with a diverse population.

• Knowledge of housing systems, and community agency support services available to victims of domestic violence.

• Ability to speak to program participants and various audiences.

• Ability to strategize issues related to domestic violence.

• Ability to establish effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, and a variety of internal and external colleagues.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Able to move and lift supplies, furniture, etc. up to 40(forty) pounds. This position requires visual and auditory acuity and the physical ability to climb stairs, stand for long periods of time, and walk distances.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Other Requirements

• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Products.

• Must have transportation to travel to meetings and trainings.

• Must be willing to work flexible hours to meet program needs and grantor accountability requirements.

• Adhere to all agency policies and procedures (attendance, work hours, paperwork, etc.)

• Childcare, criminal and FBI clearances as required by the state and DVCCC.

Environment and Conditions

The incumbent’s typical place of work is an office environment and thus will not be substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.

Minimum Training and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Services or related field

• Three years related experience

• Equivalent combination of education and experience.

HR use only

Job code Full-Time

Last revised March 2026

Management? (Yes/No) No

E/NE status Nonexempt