Domestic Violence Advocate Counselor
Compensation
Pay not listed
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.
Job Description
- Job Location: 142 Temple Street, New Haven, CT - New Haven, CT 06510
- Position Type: Full Time
- Education Level: 4 Year Degree a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb; } tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6; } tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5; } Make a Meaningful Impact Every Day Are you passionate about supporting survivors and helping to break the cycle of domestic violence?
Join our Community Services team as a Domestic Violence Advocate Counselor, where your work directly supports safety, healing, and empowerment for individuals and families in crisis.
In this vital role, you’ll provide trauma‑informed advocacy, crisis intervention, and education—helping survivors navigate resources, legal systems, and their own path forward with dignity and support.
What You’ll Do As a Domestic Violence Advocate Counselor, you will: Provide crisis intervention, short‑term counseling, and safety planning to survivors of domestic violence and their families Complete client intakes, assessments, and lethality risk evaluations using evidence‑based, trauma‑informed practices Offer compassionate emotional support, helping clients understand trauma responses and build coping strategies Assist and accompany clients to court proceedings (temporary restraining orders and RO hearings) Staff and respond to the domestic violence hotline and LAP line Advocate on behalf of clients with external systems (courts, social services, community partners) Connect clients to community resources, referrals, and victim compensation programs Facilitate or co‑facilitate support groups Every interaction you have is an opportunity to help someone reclaim their voice, their safety, and their future. Apply today!
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will consider applicants for this position without regard to any category protected by applicable federal, state or local law, including but not limited to: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status or uniformed service member.
Qualifications Bachelor's Degree Required Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) reading writing and speaking highly preferred; Two years Advocacy and/or direct service experience working with survivors of domestic violence in a community-based setting preferred; Must be able to obtain and maintain certification as a Certified Domestic Violence Counselor (under CGS 52-146K as amended, regarding Confidential Communications).
Then six-hours thereafter annually to maintain certification; Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of clients; Knowledge of community resources; Crisis intervention and counseling skills; Must be proficient in Microsoft 365. Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Must maintain an acceptable driving record and be insurable at a reasonable rate under the Organization’s auto insurance plan. LICENSURE /CERTIFICATIONS: Must be able to obtain and maintain CPR/ First Aid/AED certification
Key Responsibilities
The Domestic Violence Advocate Counselor provides crisis intervention, safety planning, and trauma-informed counseling to survivors and their families. They also advocate for clients within legal and social systems while connecting them to essential community resources.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree and possess at least two years of direct service experience with domestic violence survivors. A valid driver's license and the ability to obtain domestic violence counselor certification are also required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Counselor Career Context
The cost-of-living index for Connecticut is 103.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 62.6% of Connecticut clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 50 active Counseling listings this role was benchmarked against, 48% are remote, 32% have no call, 56% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 7.2 / 10 · top 25% in counseling | ranked against 366 Counseling listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Cost of living | Connecticut index 103.6 | US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 48% remote · 32% no call · 56% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Connecticut counselor listings (all specialties): 13% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 29% offer loan repayment236 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| Counseling pay trend | −20.2% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
| BHcare | #23 of 25 for pay | Top Employers work-life index |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Domestic Violence Advocate Counselor at BHcare a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 25% in Counseling — ranked against 366 active Counseling listings on WeekdayDoc.
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