Survivor Advocate

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 will oversee our domestic violence survivor support services.

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.

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:

• Assist with planning and facilitating Healthy Relationships Program sessions for youth with the Prevention Specialist as needed
• 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:

• BA/BS degree or equivalent work experience
• LCSW/LICSW/LCMH preferred
• Demonstrated experience in the field of domestic violence and/or trauma
• Experience managing a caseload of clients, preferably with domestic violence survivors
• Prior experience facilitating support groups is preferred
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Self-directed professional who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work both collaboratively and independently

Compensation:

$32-$35 per hour

10-15 hours per week, depending on needs throughout the year

Hybrid, Flexible schedule

LICSW Clinical Supervision Included

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.

Reports to: Executive Director of MAAV

Qualified candidates should email a cover letter and resume to:

Crystal Johnson, Executive Director, cjohnson@maav.org

The application deadline is May 19, 2025.