Community Advocacy Specialist

Community Advocacy Specialist

Community Advocacy Program

Full-time, salaried

Casa Myrna is Greater Boston’s foremost provider of solutions to end domestic and dating violence.  The agency operates three residential programs in Boston for survivors and children made homeless by domestic violence, a comprehensive range of advocacy and supportive services, and SafeLink, Massachusetts’ statewide 24/7 toll-free domestic violence hotline. Casa Myrna believes that every relationship should be safe and healthy and works to end domestic and dating violence through education, awareness and prevention.

The Community Advocacy Specialist will provide advocacy, information, and referrals to survivors of domestic and dating violence and support them in navigating systems. The Specialist will work with all survivors but will have an expertise in and passion for working with youth. On site at various locations throughout Boston, the Specialist provides education and awareness about the issues and crisis intervention, advocacy, information and referrals to survivors. The Community Advocacy Specialist reports to the Community Advocacy Program Manager.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides culturally and trauma-informed advocacy, information, danger assessment and safety planning, crisis intervention, emotional support, access to resources, and referrals for survivors of domestic and dating violence.
• In addition to Casa Myrna’s main office and residential programs, may work on-site and accompany survivors to meetings at locations throughout Boston, including courts, health centers, community-based organizations, schools, after school programs, and offices of the Department of Children and Families.
• Provides referrals to Casa Myrna’s other comprehensive supports (including economic, housing and legal advocacy) and those of other human service/social service agencies as appropriate.
• Develops and facilitates support groups for survivors of domestic and dating violence at locations in the community.
• Develops and maintains comprehensive community partnerships with (youth-serving) community groups, organizations, advocates, and government to facilitate effective advocacy and referrals.
• Provides outreach and education on understanding the dynamics of dating and domestic violence. Develops and provides training and technical assistance on supporting youth survivors for community partners.
• Maintains current and accurate records of services, updating database information and preparing periodic reports as required and ensures accurate and timely reporting on services provided as required by agency protocols.
• Represents the agency at meetings with community collaborators and at other events as needed.
• Participates in team and agency meetings.
• Works as a team player with other program and agency staff, particularly Counseling, Youth Engagement, and Housing.
• Develops own professional development plan and attends trainings, meetings, and conferences offered at Casa Myrna and in the community.
• Other related duties as assigned by supervisor and agency.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Committed to Casa Myrna’s mission of ending domestic and dating violence and commercial exploitation, and promoting social justice and social change.
• Demonstrated experience working with survivors of domestic/dating violence, trauma and abuse, and with marginalized communities, particularly communities of color.
• Minimum of 2 years’ demonstrated experience working as an activist, community organizer, or advocate.
• Familiarity with Boston-area community agencies and resources, particularly those serving youth, homeless and/or low-income populations.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize appropriate, non-judgmental communication techniques when responding to survivors that illustrates sensitivity to their experiences and needs. Ability to work and advocate in a collaborative style with diverse ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic groups, as well as diversity based on ability/disability, sexual orientation and religion.
• Ability to prioritize and coordinate work at multiple sites; ability to work independently and in a team.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, crisis management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Promote an atmosphere of respect and cooperation; maintain confidentiality regarding program participants.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and/or weekends as needed.
• Fluency in a language other than English strongly preferred. Preference for Spanish, Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole, or Haitian Creole.
• Ability to travel throughout Boston; access to reliable transportation required.

Salary range: $50,000 – $55,000

Location: Dorchester and Boston area

Hours: full-time (4 days and 35 hours/week)

Benefits: Casa Myrna offers: family friendly schedule; generous paid time off and holidays; health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance; flexible spending account; health reimbursement account; retirement savings plan with employer match; Employee Assistance Program; and opportunities for professional development

Casa Myrna is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity and hiring people with diverse life experiences. Survivors, people who are bilingual/bicultural, persons of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ people are strongly encouraged to apply.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. If reasonable accommodations are needed during recruitment process, email hr@casamyrna.org.

Please submit cover letter and resume to jobs@casamyrna.org to be considered.