Laurens County SAFE Home seeks advocate to serve domestic violence survivors

Laurens County SAFE Home is hiring a full-time advocate to work directly with survivors of domestic violence across Laurens, Abbeville and Saluda counties.

The private nonprofit provides comprehensive assistance programs to survivors in all three counties and operates a 24-hour service line. Its stated mission is to help survivors make the behavioral and attitudinal changes necessary to live a life free from violence.

The advocate position carries a salary scale of $35,000 to $39,000, with pay commensurate with experience and education.

The role is centered on hands-on support during some of the most difficult moments in a client’s life. Duties include assisting clients in filing and obtaining orders of protection, providing legal safety plans and attending required hearings with clients, including order of protection, criminal and civil proceedings. The advocate also conducts intake, completes paperwork, reviews rules with new clients and connects clients to services through information and referrals provided in person, by phone or by mail.

Crisis intervention and supportive listening are a core part of the job. The advocate is expected to be available to clients for that support, to take part in on-call duties with other staff members as assigned, and to be available to fellow staff and volunteers who have questions or need help.

The position also calls for keeping communication open with law enforcement and victim assistance offices in all three counties, coordinating client services with other staff, overseeing volunteers as needed, and providing information about SAFE Home’s services to prospective clients and other service providers.

Applicants need a degree in human services or a related field, a valid South Carolina driver’s license, reliable transportation and current insurance coverage. The organization is looking for someone with a commitment to its mission of assisting victims with compassion, integrity, collaboration and equity, and the ability to work flexible hours when needed.

The advocate must complete Victim Service provider credentials through the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office Crime Victims Service Training Program within the first 12 months of employment and maintain those credentials annually.

Other expectations include staying current with methodology for assisting victims of domestic violence, participating in required staff meetings and trainings, taking part in public awareness events as appropriate, and submitting weekly, monthly and yearly reports.

Interested candidates should submit a current resume to [email protected] and include the position they are applying for in the subject line.

Laurens County SAFE Home is a United Way agency. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 744, Clinton, SC 29325, and its toll-free line is 866-598-5932. The organization’s motto is “Plant New Roots Today to Prevent Domestic Violence Tomorrow.”