Organization Description: NELCWIT’s mission is to work within the community to build safety, justice, and dignity for all. We offer shelter referrals, counseling, education/prevention, advocacy, a children’s visitation program and economic empowerment initiatives to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. As an antiracist, multicultural organization, NELCWIT also joins with and mobilizes other groups and individuals who are working to end domestic violence and sexual abuse, ensure human rights, and create social change. NELCWIT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Direct service employees are members of the local SEIU.  

Position Description: The LGBTQ+ Counselor/Advocate provides support, crisis and short-term counseling, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by domestic and/or sexual violence. The counselor/advocate is a member of NELCWIT’s crisis- line and counseling teams, and is supervised by NELCWIT’s Director of Counseling and Management Team. The primary responsibility of this position is to reach more members of the LGBTQ+ community with prevention, intervention, and recovery services.  

Responsibilities:  

• Provide crisis intervention and short-term counseling and advocacy for survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. 
• Provide individual and group support services, crisis intervention, and short-term counseling and advocacy for LGBTQ+ identifying individuals, families, and allies who have experienced domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking 
• Develop and update materials and work on projects, outreach, and initiatives that improve or enhance the quality of services for LGBTQ+ survivors. 
• Provide crisis counseling, advocacy, and support for survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who walk in (without appointments) for crisis intervention, as well on the crisis-line.
• Provide information and referrals to NELCWIT clients, including NELCWIT programs and other community services. 
• Attend weekly staff meetings, weekly clinical supervision, weekly group supervision, monthly Anti-racism Meetings, and caucusing as applicable. 
• Complete all paperwork in a timely manner and in compliance with agency requirements, including case records, data required by agency, and Empowerdb data entry. 
• Assist in training new staff as appropriate and assist in annual updates to the Resource & Referral Guide. 
• All other job responsibilities consistent with job description and designated by supervisor. 

Compensation & Benefits: Union position, 35 hours per week. Starting salary $17.00/hour. Benefits consistent with union contract, including health insurance 70% paid by employer, optional dental insurance 50% paid by employer, 14 holidays, staff development, generous paid time off totaling 6 weeks in first year, short and long-term disability. 

NELCWIT accepts applications by email (preferred) or mail: Send cover letter and resume outlining your qualifications to:  

 Email: jobs@nelcwit.org  

--OR--  

 NELCWIT  

 LGBTQ Counselor Hiring Committee  

 17 Long Avenue 

 Greenfield, MA 01301 

NELCWIT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national  origin, mental or physical disability, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other class of individuals  protected from discrimination under state or federal law with respect to employment, volunteer participation, and the provisions of services.  

NELCWIT is an equal opportunity provider and employer. People of color are encouraged to apply. AA/EOE/ADA 

Skills Required:  

• Basic computer literacy, including Microsoft Word, Google Drive, and email; willingness to learn and use data entry programs. 
• Knowledge of Franklin County and North Quabbin area and resources. 
• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation. 

Qualifications:  

• Domestic violence and rape crisis training, or ability to take 50-hour training. Training time is paid. 
• Associate’s degree or higher in a relevant discipline and/or relevant work/life experience related to domestic and sexual violence preferred. 
• Comprehensive understanding of survivor trauma and the dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking; ability to assess caller’s level of danger and engage in safety planning. 
• Demonstrated experience and/or knowledge of topics related to domestic and sexual violence and the LGBTQ community, and/or relevant work/life experience. 
• Familiarity with the LGBTQ community, issues faced, and empowerment-based advocacy. 
• Ability to handle work-related stress and crisis associated with client service delivery in a calm, professional, and composed manner. 
• Ability to model and uphold appropriate boundaries in work with clients, co-workers, supervisor, and the community, and to maintain confidentiality. 
• Commitment to ending violence and promoting social change by actively fighting racism, classism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, ageism, and all other forms of oppression. 
• Willingness to learn about and actively use multicultural awareness and understanding in dailywork.
• English/Spanish bilingual a plus.