Advocate & Prevention Specialist

The Melrose Alliance Against Violence, Inc. (MAAV) is a community-based violence prevention agency founded in 1995. MAAV’s mission is to raise community awareness of domestic and teen dating violence and to promote programs that work to reduce violence and encourage healthy relationships. Our programs include community awareness activities, education and prevention programs in the schools, and information, support, resource, and referral services for victims, family members, and the community at large.

We are currently seeking to fill this dynamic position with a person who has a passion for working with those impacted by teen dating and domestic violence and ending the cycle of abuse. The position is a combination of community advocacy with survivors of domestic violence and the implementation of preventative programs.

Our Healthy Relationships Program works to help young people learn to build healthy friendships and dating relationships, in efforts to prevent teen dating violence and future domestic violence through interactive sessions for Elementary to High school-aged youth. Another preventive program that this position would oversee includes the Group Mentoring Program called “Expect Respect”.

Lastly, the position will provide comprehensive case management, emotional support, and advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence within an agency framework that is trauma-informed, strength-based, relational, and empowering. The advocate can expect to serve a caseload of survivors who hold racially- and culturally-diverse identities.

Prevention Responsibilities:

• Planning and facilitating Healthy Relationships Program sessions for youth
• Organizing the Healthy Relationships Program, including scheduling and coordinating with schools
• Reviewing and evaluating the prevention curriculum
• Training other facilitators or communities to implement the Healthy Relationships Program
• Coordinating the Group Mentoring Program with the Executive Director
• Organize and implement in-person and virtual MAAV trainings and presentations for community members and partners, local schools, and local businesses
• Build and maintain working relationships with area organizations and businesses
• Collaborate with MAAV staff to implement intentional outreach and educational opportunities
• Collect and analyze data from trainings and outreach efforts to assess efficacy and support ongoing program growth

Advocacy Responsibilities:

• Provide advocacy, case management, safety planning, psycho-education, referrals, and support services to domestic violence survivors
• Coordinating with community partners and referral sources to provide wrap-around services for clients
• Provide ongoing emotional and practical support to survivors within a trauma-informed lens
• Advocate on behalf of survivors with healthcare providers, housing/landlords, courts, legal system, school systems, and other systems or agencies, depending on their needs
• Maintain accurate and timely records of advocacy work in the database system
• Collect data and analyze trends of survivor support services
• Plan, lead, and co-facilitate psycho-educational and mutual aid support groups for survivors as needed

Additional Responsibilities may include:

• Supervising and managing MSW Interns
• Attend and actively participate in bi-weekly staff meetings
• Represent MAAV at community events and forums
• Assist in planning, coordinating, and running survivor-centered events
• Participate in outreach and awareness efforts
• Attend meetings or appointments that will assist in providing quality advocacy to survivors
• Administrative duties (i.e. maintaining appropriate files and paperwork)
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• LCSW/LICSW/LCMH (or eligible) required
• Prior experience working with youth and facilitating groups
• Experience developing educational content and public speaking
• Experience managing a caseload of clients, preferably with domestic violence survivors
• Demonstrated experience in the field of teen dating and/or domestic violence and/or trauma
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Self-directed professional who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work both collaboratively and independently

Compensation & Work Schedule

Salary range: $50,000–$52,000 annually, based on experience

Full-time, 32 hours per week

Hybrid position with flexible scheduling; Includes office hours and site-based work in Melrose, MA

Start date: Late June / Early July

This position is subject to change based on grant funding

Benefits: Simple IRA 3% match

Specific benefits—including health insurance, paid time off, and clinical supervision—will be discussed during the interview process. Benefits may be tailored to meet the needs of the selected candidate.

Reports to: Executive Director of MAAV

Qualified candidates should email a cover letter and resume to:

Crystal Johnson, Executive Director, info@maav.org

The application deadline is May 19th, 2025.