Family Advocacy Center Victim Advocate

Job Title

Under close supervision and assigned advocate to the Family Advocacy Center, performs service work of considerable difficulty by providing crisis services to crime victims and coordination of the local Child Abuse Multi-Disciplinary Taskforce, and performs related duties as assigned.

(Essential function, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

• Provides trauma-informed advocacy services for program participants.
• Answers crisis calls, aid in the development of a safety plan for survivors, assess immediate needs, facilitate intake and/or make referrals as necessary.
• Participates in rotating on-call after hour crisis calls and crisis intervention.
• Provides information regarding victim rights and victim compensation.
• Accompanies victims when interacting with members of the legal system, including law enforcement, courts, and prosecutors.
• May provide transportation to and from court hearings.
• Assists in providing resources and resources referrals to victims.
• Assists with victim's rights education, training, and outreach.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary team meetings
• Cultivates relationships with community partners and allied professions with the goal of facilitating a coordinated community response to child physical/sexual abuse and neglect.
• To promote the utilization of the Family Advocacy Center in accordance with team protocol
• To promote improved communication, coordination and accountability across agency lines and work to resolve conflicts among the team when they arise.
• To provide training and education to the MDT and community members on the dynamics of child abuse and best practices in responding to child abuse cases.
• To provide direct services to children and families during the investigation, including advocacy and forensic interviewing as needed.
• To work closely with the MDT in coordinating and facilitating the multidisciplinary case review for active child physical/sexual abuse and neglect investigations including suspicious child deaths.
• To prepare and distribute agendas for the multidisciplinary team, summarize the decisions and actions plans of the multidisciplinary team, update and maintain a tracking system, provide statistical data as requested, and survey's and measures team's success and updates MDT protocol appropriately.
• To maintain current case disposition information on all FAC cases and documenting case progression throughout the civil and criminal justice system response.
• To ensure culturally competent services are provided to all families served without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, gender or sexual orientation.
• Participates in and contributes to staff meetings and local and Statewide teams and coalitions

• Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System, court proceedings and documents.
• Knowledge of Title 13 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, victim notification requirements, and victim compensation
• Knowledge and application of providing trauma informed care.
• Knowledge of local, state, and national victim service resources
• Knowledge of medical, financial and other assisting agencies and referral resources in the community.
• Knowledge of court procedures regarding restitution collections.
• Knowledge and ability to use a computer to include use of Microsoft word and related software and general office equipment.
• Knowledge of other guidelines, regulations and statutes affecting the department.
• Specialized and trained in the area of child abuse, sexual abuse, and domestic violence.
• Skill in effectively communicating verbally and in writing.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the public.

Bachelor's degree in Behavior Science, Social Work or related field: OR four years' experience working in Victim Services or related field: OR a combination of schooling and experience that is equivalent; AND ability to pass a background check; AND a valid driver's license. Arizona certified in victim advocacy, or ability to obtain certificate within a year of hire date.