Thank you for your interest in a career with Friends of the Family. Friends of the Family is dedicated to providing meaningful and quality services to persons regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ability, marital status, socio-economic status, and religion. We celebrate diversity and strive to meet each individual’s culturally specific needs. Our agency embraces these same beliefs in our employment practices, and encourage all interested persons to respond to job postings regardless of any identities held in the classes stated above.
Please see below for descriptions of current openings.
Housing Resource Specialist
Reports To: Outreach Services Manager
Position Status: Full-time Salaried Position
Job Summary: Coordinate case management services to all victims who utilize emergency solutions grant services in Northeast Iowa. Provide quality control of project to meet all HUD standards.
Crisis Services Functions:
- Exhibit a belief in non-violence and a willingness to advocate on behalf of victims and their children who are affected by rape, sexual assault or domestic violence in a non-discriminating manner.
- Uphold the belief that quality client services are the top priority.
- Maintain current understanding and knowledge of sexual assault and domestic violence issues including Iowa Code providing comprehensive support and advocacy services to the fullest extent of the law.
- Provide emotional support and advocacy to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault which may include, but is not limited to, crisis counseling, information/referrals, and follow-up and client transportation.
- Comply with state advocacy training/certification requirements as well as confidentiality as defined by Iowa Code and state coalitions. Achieve and maintain required certification.
- Assist in developing and coordinating victim services to reach under-served groups within the CVFF service area, including rural elderly, disabled and isolated people.
- Promote a healthy work environment.
- Establish working relationships with area professionals, service providers and the community at-large focusing on domestic violence, and sexual assault while promoting a positive reputation of FOF.
- Attend FOF staff meetings as scheduled.
- Maintain up to date familiarity with agency policy and procedures in order to exercise good judgment in various situations.
- Comply with agency policies and procedures.
- Maintain accurate data and submit reports, including statistical data, as required.
- Assist the agency in providing public education and training regarding issues of domestic violence, and sexual assault. Provide presentations to community groups as requested by administration.
- Perform other work assignments as requested/needed.
Duties Specific to Mobile Housing Resource Specialist:
- Work within the Coordinated Entry system in the 14 county region FOF serves. Ensure that the ESG program spots are filled through the Coordinated Entry system.
- Work with the Shelter advocate and Housing Support Specialists that are entering data into Service Point to ensure data is entered in a timely manner as the necessary data quality.
- Pull monthly Service Point reports and submit to Fiscal Director.
- Ensure that program participants are met with on a monthly basis.
- Establish eligibility and reauthorization of eligibility.
- Provide housing stabilization services that include arranging, coordinating, linking and monitoring the delivery of services that assist participants to obtain and sustain housing stability
- Monitor program participant progress.
- Development of individualized housing plans for each program participant.
- Assist participants in locating and obtaining housing.
- Provide credit counseling when needed.
- Complete Housing Habitability Standards and Lead-Based Paint Inspections.
- Determine FMR’s and maintain file documentation of three rent comparables if providing financial assistance (rental assistance, rental arrearages, security deposits, utility deposits, and utility arrearages).
- Update yearly the utility allowances used to calculate FMR through local housing authorities.
- Update yearly AMI (Area Median Income) guidelines needed for Rapid Rehousing Program.
- Complete intake and screening of households via phone or in person.
- Complete comprehensive housing assessment with households to create basis of housing plan.
- Complete appropriate documentation and maintain all file documentation in accordance with HUD emergency solutions grant standards.
- Provide referrals to clients for supportive services in the community in which they reside.
- Utilize creative techniques, including the use of technology, to communicate with clients who are housed across the region.
- Manage time and schedule independently.
- Collaborate with county relief services and homeless programming throughout Northeast Iowa to refer clients and support them in achieving safety and self-sufficiency.
- Assist in the development of a landlord recruitment and retention plan throughout the 14 county region.
- Assist client in budgeting and goal setting that will move participant towards self sufficiency.
- Meet all requirements set forth in FOF Emergency Solutions Grant operating manual
Position Qualifications:
- Bachelor Degree in social work, related field or combination of equivalent education and experience.
- Previous experience in crisis counseling, housing, advocacy and crisis intervention skills preferred.
- Must demonstrate ability to organize, prioritize and plan work to meet deadlines; behavior management techniques, confidentiality and observation/recording techniques.
- Ability to determine individual skill levels and adapt information and advocacy materials for age appropriate understanding and use.
- Ability to complete mandatory training to qualify as a victim advocate within 30 days of employment.
- Ability to travel throughout the 13- county service area to provide in-person advocacy services and to other locations within the state as necessary for training purposes.
- Ability to pass law enforcement screening and possess clean personal history regarding child endangerment.
To apply for this position, submit a resume and cover letter to Kelley at [email protected] or mail to 3835 W. 9th St, Waterloo, IA 50702 by May 9, 2018.
Job Title: Part-time Shelter Advocate
Reports to: Shelter Services Manager
Position Status: Hourly Position
Job Summary: Provide advocacy services to those fleeing domestic violence and sexual assault at the emergency Friends’ House shelter and over 24 hour crisis line.
Crisis Services Functions:
- Exhibit a belief in non-violence and a willingness to advocate on behalf of victims and their children who are affected by domestic violence and rape / sexual assault in a non-discriminating manner.
- Provide comprehensive support and advocacy to victims of DV/SA who seek services through CVFF 24 hour crisis line and emergency shelter.
- Achieve consistent safe and secure services adhering to and enforcing written procedures.
- While on duty provide supervision of the shelter facility and provide direct victim services to persons in the shelter according to agency procedures.
- Maintain advocacy network with community professionals and service providers.
- Maintain up-to-date familiarity with agency policy and procedures regarding crisis intervention in order to exercise good judgement in various situations.
- Respond to crisis calls and provide crisis intervention to victims and their children requesting emergency shelter and transportation assistance.
- Administer intake and departure forms with shelter clients.
- Assess client needs and work with clients to achieve their goals and objectives.
- Implement agency policies to maintain constant safety of sheltered victims and their children.
- Maintain a flexible work schedule as necessary to meet victim’s needs.
- Maintain an immediate awareness of all shelter activity and crisis line responsibilities as defined in the shelter operations manual with particular attention to the demands of overnight shifts.
- Complete client contact sheets on daily basis and information pertinent to victim services provided by the employee.
- Carry out daily cleaning and maintenance of the shelter facility according to agency operating procedures.
- Complete timesheets and employee paperwork as required.
- Maintain advocate certification requirements and complete necessary paperwork.
- Attend Cedar Valley Friends of the Family night staff meetings.
- Comply with the policies and procedures set by the Cedar Valley Friends of the Family administration.
- Work with on-call person to coordinate services/respond to requests.
- Research and update Referral Guide.
- Assist with processing and organizing donations.
- Perform other work assignments as requested.
Housing Responsibilities
- Complete SPDAT screenings over the hotline and with clients staying in shelter, collecting all information needed to assess for housing barriers and identify access to programming.
- Understand the basics of the agency’s housing program and refer clients/callers with specific questions and to the appropriate employee.
Position Qualifications:
- High School Graduate with a minimum of two years work experience.
- Previous experience in domestic violence or sexual assault and crisis intervention program preferred.
- Ability to complete mandatory training to qualify as a victim advocate within 30 days of employment.
- Ability to travel throughout the rural service area to provide in-person advocacy and transportation services and to other locations within the state as necessary for training purposes.
To apply for this position, submit a resume and cover letter to Heather at [email protected] or mail to PO Box 784 Waverly, IA 50677.