Elizabeth Freeman Center (EFC) seeks a committed bicultural, bilingual (Spanish and English) counselor/advocate to counsel and assist immigrant and refugee survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Responsibilities: 

• Provide immigrant and refugee survivors of domestic or sexual assault violence with support, advocacy, and assistance in both our Pittsfield and Great Barrington office. Responsibilities include:

• Providing emergency response for acute safety concerns, including coordinating safe shelter, transportation and safety planning
• Assessing survivor’ needs and providing advocacy to address barriers; including housing, benefits, income maximization, children, education, and health care systems.

• offering counseling and support groups; including Escuela de Finanzas.

• advocating on immigration issues, including preparation of letters to support immigration applications for status, as well as on issues of housing, finances and benefits, children, mental health and substance abuse;
• referring victims to services including other EFC services, Legal Aid, Berkshire Immigrant Center, the District Attorney’s office and other community resources, with follow-up as appropriate
• Contributing to outreach and collaboration efforts, including liaising with community partners, providing community education, and tabling at community events.
• Maintaining professional boundaries with individuals receiving EFC services.

• Maintaining excellent records in the agency database and adhere to strict guidelines to ensure client confidentiality.

• Completing all other duties to further EFC’s mission and to ensure that survivors are safe and are provided with professional, empathetic, affirming services within the context of the agency’s mission and consistent with grant and legal requirements.

Work Hours:  40 hours per week.  Some evening and weekend work required for outreach and counseling activities

Compensation and benefits:  Elizabeth Freeman Center believes in offering all staff: competitive salary and benefits, engaged and dedicated colleagues, training and education in best practices, career development opportunities, openness to innovation, and the opportunity and resources to do meaningful, impactful work.  This position begins at $22.00 per hour which includes $1.00/hour increment for bilingual English/Spanish skills, plus additional increments for other frequently used languages, special skills and education, and a year-end stipend depending on funding. EFC pays 85% of health insurance premiums and contributes to an FSA. EFC has generous paid leave as well as other benefits.

Applying: To apply, please send cover letter and resume to jobs@elizabethfreemancenter.org 

Qualifications:

• Excellent Spanish and English speaking and writing skills
• Experience working with immigrant and refugee communities and knowledge of immigration issues strongly preferred
• Experience working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence strongly preferred
• Ability to work effectively with community groups
• Ability to work well as part of a team
• Bachelor or Associate Degree (may be waived for relevant, comparable level of work or life experience)
• Must successfully pass Criminal Record Check-CORI, be determined appropriate to work with persons under 18, and have a valid Massachusetts driver’s license and reliable transportation