VICTIM ADVOCATE/CASE MANAGER

VICTIM ADVOCATE/CASE MANAGER

Area of Focus/Speciality: Community Resource Specialist

Reports to: Executive Director

Classification: Hourly, Full-Time

Average Workweek: 40 hours Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:00PM

Summary

This position provides direct services to victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. The position requires maintaining good working relationships with law enforcement, the court system, doctors and hospital staff, and other referring agencies.

Objectives

Victim Advocacy

• Delivers individualized crisis intervention services through assessing risk/danger, identifying needs, active listening, safety planning, providing referrals, and formulating an action plan
• Answers the Help Line and provides crisis intervention, information, safety planning, and referrals to callers
• Offers accurate information, support, assistance, accompaniment and intervention with any aspect of the civil or criminal legal system on behalf of a victim of domestic violence (DV) and/or sexual violence (SV)
• Advocates for and accompanies victims of DV/SV the emergency room
• Uses independent judgment to screen potential clients, allocate agency resources to appropriate clients, and evaluate effectiveness of services
• Plans and implements weekly support group(s) and/or parenting class(es), as applicable
• Oversees evening/weekend staff’s service provision documentation and provides follow-up and case managements services to evening/weekend staff’s clients
• Contributes to training new advocate
• Assists in reviewing and updating the agency’s policies and procedures annually and as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Comprehensive Case Management

• Provides tailored case management services to link and/or develop short- and long-term resources and safety plans and to facilitate the coordination of services from multiple service providers across systems
• Develops and implements victim-defined bio-psycho-social-spiritual action plans to meet victims’ full range of needs for sustainable safety
• Provides ongoing emotional support to primary and secondary victims to promote coping and utilization of professional, complex services
• Acts as a liaison between victims and all relevant professionals, programs, and informal resources involved in the overall action plan to help victims make their preferences known and secure needed services

Community Resource Specialist

• Attend monthly Community Resource Meeting 
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with community partners, community resources, etc. to which victims may be referred
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of local and regional services, including qualification criteria and application processes, to enhance survivors’ access to healthcare, housing, and other supportive resources. Shares this information with the advocacy team and ensures accessibility for clients
• Coordinate and schedule Lunch & Learn sessions with community partners to facilitate information-sharing, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and improve service delivery for survivors.

Qualifications

Education

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or related field preferred OR High School Diploma with at least three years of experience in victim services or related field.

Skills and Attributes Required for Success

• Comprehensive understanding of domestic and sexual violence
• Working knowledge of website design
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Gmail
• Superior verbal, written, and documentation skills
• Completion of agency’s 48-hour training

Physical Requirements

• Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. Ability to communicate effectively in person, on paper, and by telephone with clients and representatives of other agencies.
• Standing or sitting for long periods, bending, stooping, occasional lifting, walking, climbing stairs, kneeling, squatting, crouching, balancing, and lifting more than 25 pounds.
• Ability, on a consistent basis, to perform work activities related to cooperation, instruction, persuasion, and speaking to others.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, on paper, by email, and by telephone.
• Regular use of telephone and computer required.

Personal Characteristics

• Ethical Behavior: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior and that of others are consistent and align with the values of the organization.
• Respect of Diversity: Honor diversity and openness to examination of attitudes about race, gender, sexual orientation, and other attitudes that contribute to the oppression of others.
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others both internally and externally to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen, and write in a clear, thorough, and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Focus on Client Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of clients to meet or exceed their expectations.
• Make Decisions: Assess situations, both independently and collaboratively, to determine the importance, urgency, and risks, and make clear, timely decisions that are in the best interest of the organization and the individual.
• Commitment: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress toward goals, and track details/data/information/activities.
• Technological Aptitude: Understand software applications and maintain skills necessary to effectively perform key responsibilities through use of programs used by organization.
• Support organization’s mission