Alternatives to Violence & Prevention Facilitator

Description

As part of the Domestic Violence Program at YWCA Evanston/North Shore, this position is responsible for facilitating the Alternatives to Violence (ATV) program as well as the full range of YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s training and prevention offerings. This role serves as a critical contact for ATV participants by also providing referrals, outreach and education, and case management services.

The position supports the continuous review and refinement of the ATV program, including program evaluation, quality improvement, and identification of opportunities for growth and alignment with best practices.

In its prevention and training functions, the role contributes to the agency’s holistic strategy to end domestic violence by advancing community education, professional training, and primary prevention initiatives that address the root causes of harm and promote community safety and equity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Prevention Programming Facilitation (50%)

• Co-facilitates the Alternatives to Violence (ATV) curriculum in a structured 26-week group setting for male-identified individuals who have caused harm, utilizing evidence-informed practices to promote accountability, nonviolence, and behavior change.
• Maintains the physical and emotional safety of all participants by monitoring group dynamics, intervening appropriately, and upholding trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and culturally responsive facilitation practices.
• Facilitates groups in accordance with IDHS Administrative Code, agency policies, and established best practices within the domestic violence intervention field, ensuring program fidelity and consistent delivery of curriculum content.
• Prepares and manages all participant materials, including printing, assembling, organizing, and distributing curriculum packets, assessments, handouts, attendance sheets, and other learning resources.
• Implements all program safety protocols as directed, including emergency procedures, incident documentation, mandated reporting requirements, and adherence to confidentiality and data-security standards.
• Supports participant accountability and engagement by completing session documentation, monitoring attendance, following up on missed sessions, and coordinating with case managers and probation/parole partners as appropriate.
• Contributes to a supportive, structured learning environment by modeling nonviolent communication, reinforcing group agreements, and encouraging thoughtful participation and reflection.
• Supports facilitation of additional prevention and training offerings, including comprehensive sex education and other primary-prevention workshops delivered to youth and community audiences.
• Assists with delivery of the 40-hour Domestic Violence Training and other professional development sessions, ensuring content is accurate, aligned with state standards, and reflective of current best practices in the domestic violence field.

ATV Case Management (20%)

• Regularly checks the Alternatives to Violence phone line and returns calls, schedules intakes, and provides information within 24 business hours.
• Conducts thorough intake of each potential client, including assessing history of abuse and eligibility for participation in Partner Abuse Intervention Program (PAIP), and refers those who are not eligible for ATV to other resources.
• Refers survivors contacted during the ATV participant intake process to agency domestic violence services.
• Maintains thorough client files, including completed intake information, program attendance, payment information, and written narratives as warranted.
• Establishes professional relationships with clients.
• Administers the domestic violence inventory tool to clients to assess participant outcomes and program impact.
• Maintains timely communication with court services personnel and reports back client information as required.
• Collects appropriate client fees in accordance with agency protocol.
• Ensures participants have access to necessary resources and support services by conducting needs assessments, providing referrals, and facilitating service navigation, while upholding equitable distribution of assistance in alignment with agency policies and guidelines.

Compliance Reporting and Continuous Quality Improvement (20%)

• Completes and submits all necessary reporting documentation in a timely fashion.
• Submits monthly activity reports in a timely fashion.
• Reports on goals and objectives identified in government grants and foundations, as appropriate.
• Supports the development and implementation of assessment tools to ensure programming is informed by participants and adapted as needed.
• Assists with ongoing curriculum enhancement, offering feedback from group observations and supporting integration of new exercises, tools, or best practices.
• Collaborates with the Prevention and Training team to adapt content, coordinate logistics, and ensure consistency and quality across all prevention programming.

Networking & Community Outreach (10%)

• Establishes and maintains working relationships with area referral sources, especially relevant court services and local police departments.
• Delivers marketing materials to referral sources on a regular basis.
• Maintains a positive relationship with the group host site for ATV and ensures access to space and space clean up in accordance with the host site guidelines.
• Works as an integral member of the Domestic Violence Program team.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Attends staff trainings and participates in agency committees.
• Pursues professional development.
• Understands and adheres to all YWCA Evanston/North Shore procedures and policies as well as YWCA Employee Handbook.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the position's principle and essential functions and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned to the position.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Public Health, or related field.

Experience and/or Training:

• At least 1 year of experience working with perpetrators of domestic violence in a group setting.
• At least 1 year of experience providing education or training, with a focus on youth education, domestic violence, or comprehensive sex education
• A deep theoretical and practical understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence.

Licenses/Certificates:

• Successful completion of the Illinois 40-Hour Domestic Violence Training within 3 months of employment.
• Successful completion of the Illinois 20-hour PAIP Facilitator Training within 3 months of employment.
• Acquisition of the Certified PAIP Professional credential within 12 months of employment.
• First Aid/CPR within 6 months of employment.

Technology/Equipment:

• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Must have consistent access to a personal cell phone to conduct agency business since all work is off-site.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Public Health, or related field.

Experience and/or Training:

• At least 3 years of experience working with perpetrators of domestic violence in a group setting.
• Experience working with survivors of domestic violence.
• Experience and skill in crisis intervention and conflict resolution.
• Experience providing case management.
• Demonstrated expert knowledge of the Illinois Administrative Code for Partner Abuse Intervention Programs guidelines.

Language: Fluency in Spanish.

Licenses/Certificates:

• LCSW, LCPC
• Illinois 40-Hour Domestic Violence Training Certificate
• Illinois 20-Hour PAIP Facilitator Training Certificate
• Certified PAIP Professional credential
• Valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance

Technology/Equipment:

• Intermediate proficiency with virtual services technology
• Intermediate proficiency with online case management systems
• Access to a reliable personal auto for business use

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

Intermittent (less than 15%), Occasional (15-45%), Frequent (50-75%), and Continuous (over 75%).

• Occasional nights and weekends required for events or meetings.
• Occasional local and intermittent statewide travel required.
• Tolerance of prolonged and continuous stationary periods at a desk/computer
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, climb stairs, reach with hands and arms, and reach above the shoulders.
• Occasionally required to push, pull, lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Must be able to move about the facility.
• Must be able to operate controls for computers and other equipment.

The mental and physical requirements described here represent those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• This position conducts work at off-site venues in shared spaces.
• Employee may be required to share office space or work in an open office cubicle.
• Employee may be required to work from home.
• Employee will occasionally have meetings or work in other locations.

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.

*Salary: $22.74 - $25.27 / Hourly. A starting hourly rate above $22.74 is based on experience and education that significantly exceed the minimum requirements and is commensurate with the compensation scale.