Systems Advocacy Coordinator

Job Title: Systems Advocacy Coordinator

Location: San Jose, CA

Schedule: FT, 40hr/week onsite

Reports to: Associate Directors - Employee Engagement, Impact & Program Design, Professional Development & Training, Community Partnerships

Who We Are

Our mission is to end domestic violence in the moment and for all time.

In 1971, our founder Bea Robinson Mendez, concerned about the lack of services and options for domestic violence survivors, gathered a small group of her friends to figure out a solution. They set up a shelter in a garage and established a hotline number to provide information and support to survivors. Unbeknownst to them, it would become the second domestic violence agency in California and the first bilingual domestic violence shelter in the nation. So began the story of Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence (NDS). Domestic violence is the most prevalent form of gender-based violence, often the most frequently reported crime and arguably the one with the greatest damaging effect on our families, youth, and communities. We are the only stand-alone, domestic violence agency in Santa Clara County, answering approximately 15,000 crisis calls and serving an average of 3,000 survivors of domestic violence annually. Our comprehensive, compassionate, bilingual and multicultural services are available free of charge to all individuals across the gender spectrum and of varying abilities.

By joining NDS, you become part of a team that serves thousands, uplifts community models of support, and looks first for a way to say "yes." NDS is a place where inclusion, diversity, equity, access, liberation (IDEAL) are not just celebrated, but they are central to our existence. We are emerging from the pandemic in a stage of rapid reflection, and change, which means exciting new opportunities are opening up for forming transformative community partnerships, nurturing our staff, and growing our team.

Culture and Climate

NDS has developed a supportive workplace culture where personal and professional connections are valued and facilitated. Our guiding values are:
• Oneness & Connectedness
• Survivor & Community Centered
• Compassionate Accountability
• Equity & Justice
• Inclusion for Liberation

Overview:

The Systems Advocacy Coordinator plays a critical role in supporting survivors as they navigate complex systems, with a particular emphasis on the Department of Family and Child Services (DFCS). The Coordinator brings subject matter expertise to support survivors as they engage with DFCS. In addition, the Coordinator proactively works with DFCS to help them understand the needs of survivors and their families. The Coordinator serves as a resource and thought partner for other NDS Advocates internally whose clients are encountering challenges within these systems. In addition to DFCS, the Coordinator also spends some time engaging with other systems such as criminal court and law enforcement. The core goals of this position include: 1) support survivors, in partnership with their advocate, in navigating through these systems towards the best possible outcome (as defined by the survivors themselves); 2) build long-term relationships with system representatives; 3) track and react to trends in the broader systems landscape; and 4) develop ideas and actions for NDS to influence systems longer-term.

Key Responsibilities:

Job functions are specific duties that would be included in the essential functions of the job description. These functions are not all-inclusive nor do they cover the full extent of the duties performed.

• Review and follow up on DFCS referrals; respond within 48-72 hours (business days) to referrals
• Conduct case consultations with NDS advocates; initiate case consultation meetings for complex cases and escalate as needed
• Build relationships and educate DFCS social workers on being survivor-centered and conduct case consultations with DFCS social workers
• Create and navigate "warm "referrals/resources/connections with community in order foster connection and to meet participant needs ensuring participants understand their rights and they are fully informed of all possible outcomes from County systems
• Provide services to participants including: information on legal rights, court accompaniment, development of social bio packets, assistance with filing police reports, attend CFT meetings, advocacy in relation to police and other systems. Provide safety planning, risk assessment services to survivors.
• Coordinate meetings/services between DFCS, court or law enforcement and participants, as needed
• Maintain and update database of system contacts/map systems landscape (systems that impact survivors lives or survivors need to engage with)
• Provide expertise and thought partnership to other NDS advocates re: navigating systems
• Proactively build relationships with system agencies in order to advocate with and on behalf of survivors and to uphold victims' rights
• Create and participate in training of advocates, community, and partners, including outreach requests and domestic violence counselor training
• Create and maintain appropriate participant records, notes, and documentation, including database entry
• Collaborate with other coordinators to ensure quality service
• Represent NDS with exceptional expertise and poise in related ongoing and individual community meetings, as appropriate
• Participate in community committees and liaison with other DV and community agencies
• Work with other leadership to provide strategic thinking to support NDS in better meeting the needs of the survivors and ensure seamless system of well-coordinated services
• Advocate for participants and work collaboratively with values-aligned systems, courts, county departments and other related agencies
• Support, create, and maintain a working environment that aligns with the organizations' values
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and education related to domestic violence laws, trends, and other related topics
• Attend all supervision, internal and external meetings decided by the team, including All Hands, 1:1 Check-ins, full leadership, and Direct Service meetings
• Maintain efficient, timely, and values-aligned communication through calls, messaging, email, and chat for participants and collaborative staff
• Create and navigate "warm "referrals/resources/connections with community in order foster connection and to meet participant needs
• Serve as emergency backup for issues related to survivors, staffing, community office, mobile advocacy, and shelter
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Bachelors' degree in related field plus 3 years' experience in the domestic violence work OR at least 5 years' experience in the domestic violence work.
• Bilingual Spanish
• Knowledge of local, regional, and national issues related to domestic violence.
• Commitment to the advancement of the domestic violence movement.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to relate well people from diverse socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.
• California domestic violence counselor certification (40-hour training).
• Criminal background check (provided upon hire).

Preferred:

• Knowledge of Santa Clara County systems & service providers.

Next Door Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of ancestry, age, color, disability (physical and mental, includes HIV and AIDS), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion (includes religious dress and grooming), sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, or request for FMLA.

Location: Campbell, CA, US

Posted Date: 11/30/2024