Family Advocate – Bilingual

Family Advocate – Bilingual (Spanish) preferred

Position Title: Family Advocate – Bilingual (Spanish) preferred

Salary Range: $45,760 - $48,000

Reports To: Manager of Family Advocacy

FLSA Status: Full time (40 hours), Non-exempt

The Family Advocate provides direct advocacy support services to child victims and non-offending family members. The Family Advocate monitors case progress, maintains client files and documents services provided accordingly. The Family Advocate performs the job duties according to professional ethics, maintaining a high standard of confidentiality and in line with the National Children’s Alliance program standards. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week typically during standard office hours, and reports to the Manager of Family Advocacy.

• Engage and establish rapport with child victims and non-offending family members during appointments at the child advocacy center.
• Provide advocacy services according to National Children’s Alliance (NCA) standards and CACGROC Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Child Abuse Guidelines.
• Coordinate, schedule, and/or make referrals for services to be provided by team members and other providers as warranted.
• Assist families in understanding the legal system related to child abuse prosecution and provide proactive outreach, follow-up, and accompaniment throughout investigative and judicial process.
• Administer screenings to assess the needs of the victim and non-offending family members, including mental health screening.
• Develop comprehensive safety plans with non‑offending caregivers as needed.
• Provide proactive outreach and follow‑up to ensure engagement in mental health services when necessary.
• Assist non‑offending caregivers/guardians with completing and filing NYS Office of Victim Services (OVS) compensation claim applications.
• Document and collect case data in the Collaborate system, coordinating with the Data Program Manager.
• Answer triage phone calls, assess client needs, coordinate services, and provide referrals as needed.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team (MDT) at the child advocacy center or in the field.
• Communicate effectively with child victims, witnesses, and others regardless of age, sex, social, economic, cultural, or ethnic background, maintaining confidentiality.
• Conduct off‑site visits when necessary, typically with another MDT member.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, criminal justice, psychology or related field with three or more years’ experience working with victims and/or vulnerable children/families.

• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish (highly preferred).
• Outstanding customer service, interpersonal communication, and listening skills.
• Prior experience providing crisis counseling or problem solving with at‑risk children and families.
• Knowledge of advocacy standards and skills relating to victims of crime.
• Knowledge of child abuse dynamics, child protective and law enforcement investigation procedures, and legal reporting mandates for professionals.
• Ability to engage and build rapport with all children and family members.
• Familiarity with legal, social service, medical and mental health systems that protect children.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with multiple agencies.
• Ability to prioritize and organize assignments in a fast‑paced work environment.
• Respect for diversity and commitment to culturally competent and inclusive services.

• Prolonged periods of working on a computer.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in written form.
• Ability to bend, squat, climb stairs, and lift 25 pounds.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule and have reliable transportation to travel to multiple sites when needed.

A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. The employee can perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Mid-Senior level

Full‑time

Other

Non‑profit Organizations