Domestic Violence Counselor

and the job listing Expires on February 28, 2026

Reports to: Direct Care Supervisor of CBDV

Schedule: Full time position: 37.5 hours/week, Monday—Friday 9am-5pm with flexibility to work after 5pm or unless Director/Supervisor state otherwise;
Requires weekend and evening work;
Part-time position requires the same with hours varied

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Starting Rate: $23.00/hour

The YWCA of Western MA is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering survivors. The YW provides a safe place for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Our programs and services include crisis shelter and transitional housing for survivors and their families, counseling, SAFEPLAN court advocacy, community education, supervised visitation, and vocational training for youth. The YWCA provides services at several sites, including Holyoke, Northampton, Westfield, and our primary Springfield campus.

In the performance of essential and general job responsibilities, all YWCA employees are expected to:

• Demonstrate commitment to the YWCA’s social justice mission and principles of trauma-informed work.
• Represent the YWCA in a professional and competent manner to participants, community members, organizational partners, and others.
• Perform quality work within program guidelines and deadlines.
• Work effectively as a team contributor and foster a positive working environment.
• Work independently while understanding the need for communication and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Maintain professional boundaries, ethics, and strict confidentiality.

The Domestic Violence Services Counselor provides emotional support, individual counseling, safety planning, court advocacy, medical advocacy, and support groups to survivors of domestic violence. Provide Domestic Violence education classes to survivors. The position also supports community outreach and education efforts. The Domestic Violence Counselor is a key member of an on-call rotation, providing on-site medical advocacy at five area hospitals, including Baystate Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center, Holyoke Medical Center, Noble Hospital, and Wing Hospital.

• Provide in person or virtual individual counseling to survivors of domestic violence in English and/or Spanish for an average of 12-15 sessions, depending on the necessity, with a focus on safety planning and options to satisfy survivor-identified immediate needs.
• Be available and provide individual counseling services of domestic violence after agency hours; be flexible to work after 5pm at least twice a week to accommodate client schedules.
• Be on on-call rotation and participate in an on-call coverage rotation to respond to emergency calls for medical advocacy within two hour of request for services.
• Provide overnight, weekend, and other on-call coverage on a rotational basis.
• Provide walk-in client coverage during specified office hours.
• Provide support for outreach activities, as needed; be flexible to participate in events occurring after 5pm.
• Provide court accompaniment to participants as necessary.
• Provide police accompaniment to participants as necessary.
• Conduct community groups for survivors of domestic violence and survivors of domestic violence with co-occurring/compounding trauma- which includes but is not limited to a drop-in support group, facilitation of the Women Correctional Center’s transition classes specific to topics regarding domestic violence, sexual assault, and self-care, and a DCF-mandated group.
• Assist survivors with application for the Address Confidentiality Program, as requested or needed.
• Initiate contact and network with outside providers and maintain a working relationship.
• Make appropriate internal and external referrals and follow-up with clients.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation of services including intakes, assessments, service plans, group notes, and safety plans using the agency’s AWARDS system while adhering to confidentiality standards within 2 days (48 hours) of participant contact.
• Maintain and continually update client records and program files.
• Complete weekly, monthly, or quarterly data collection requirements.
• Experience in trauma informed skills; keep training updated.
• Attend supervision and staff meetings as required.
• Perform other duties as needed or requested.

• Experience with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, teen dating violence and/or stalking;
• Experience working in collaboration with multiple entities, such as nonprofit organizations, public schools or colleges;
• Experience in public speaking with both youth and adults;
• Experience working with a diverse population;
• Experience with survivors of gender-based violence and exploitation;
• Experience addressing the impacts of decisions and actions on multiple communities;
• Understanding of both interpersonal and structural racism and bias;
• Have verbal, written, and organizational skills, computer skills;
• Access to reliable…