Supervised By: Community Advocacy Manager
Hours & Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt; with some evening hours and flexible scheduling required; staff carries on-call responsibilities 5pm Friday – 8am Monday (one on-call weekend approximately every 8-10 weeks)
Salary & Benefits: $21.00-$24.00 per hour; generous PTO; 12 Paid holidays; health, dental, and vision benefits; HSA or FSA with employer match; Simple IRA with employer contribution; EAP
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
Safe Haven Ministries – a nonprofit organization located in Grand Rapids, Michigan – believes in a multi-faceted approach to serving victims/survivors of relationship abuse, human trafficking and exploitation, while also working to prevent violence in our community. Safe Haven offers comprehensive residential and non-residential services; confidential emergency shelter for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence and human trafficking; transitional housing; psycho-educational support groups; individual case management and advocacy; and primary prevention training and outreach for the entire community.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Mobile Advocate will engage with survivors in the community to provide comprehensive support and intervention services to individuals experiencing sex and labor trafficking and exploitation. Individuals in this role will have experience working independently and exhibit the relationship building skills to work across systems and in unconventional settings. This is a specialist role requiring a candidate who can provide leadership, excellence in their ability to provide crisis response, facilitate assessments, on-going case management, resource connection, legal support and connection with diverse community partners.
SUMMARY OF DUTIES (Essential Functions)
● Initiate survivor-driven, community-based crisis intervention, assessment, advocacy, and case management to meet individuals’ needs
● Exhibit the skills and experience needed to work with trauma survivors, to adapt to changing environments and implement problem solving strategies
● Actively engage with community partners and establish community based meeting sites that will increase survivors’ access to Safe Haven services
● Build and manage community partnerships for collaborative support services
● Provide legal advocacy and personal protection order assistance
● Facilitate community based psycho-educational support groups for clients
● Strive to create a caring and safe environment marked by empathy, understanding, and
acceptance
● Provide on-site, survivor-centered advocacy alongside multi-disciplinary teams leading
outreach to those impacted by domestic violence and human trafficking.
● Be available to clients to discuss problems and concerns by using active listening,
problem solving skills, and empathy in a professional manner
● Provide trauma informed and comprehensive assessment, case management, legal
advocacy, and referral services to all clients as appropriate and in conjunction with other
advocates
● Share on-call responsibilities
● Ensure appropriate and timely data collection, maintain case notes and complete client
files
● Supervise interns as assigned
● Attend and participate in program meetings, weekly staff meetings, individual
supervisions, staff in-services, and other meetings as assigned
● Observe professional confidentiality; protect the rights of clients and their families and
observe the Safe Haven Ministries Code of Ethics at all times
● Create and strengthen working relationships internally and with relevant community
organizations
● Attend conferences and seminars to enhance knowledge and resources in the fields of
social work and domestic violence
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED OR PREFERRED
● Bachelor’s Degree in social work or related field preferred. Will consider relevant experience in the right candidate in lieu of bachelor’s degree
● Bilingual strongly preferred
● Reliable transportation
● Must be self-motivated, self-directed and able to demonstrate a high level of initiative
● Knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence; previous work with domestic violence
preferred
● Active listening, crisis intervention, and problem resolutions skills
● Ability to work independently and as a team
● Excellent written and oral communication skills
● A commitment to continued research, training, and education on issues of domestic
violence and social work
● Must display professionalism and leadership qualities with strong abilities to adapt,
prioritize and demonstrate flexibility as needed
● Strong organizational and time management skills
● Ability to communicate with individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds
Updated Jan 2025
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and/or qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Employees are required to perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.
Safe Haven is an equal opportunity employer and dedicated to a policy and culture of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants. Safe Haven does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, disability, gender identification or expression, sexual orientation, partisan considerations, or genetic information.
