Advocate - SA Victim Services

Position Summary

The Advocate – Victim Services serves as a staff member at will of Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS). The Advocate – Victim Services provides intake, case management and support of clients who have experienced sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence, human trafficking, and elder abuse. These activities occur at the exam site, at the outpatient office, offsite, and at the DVIS Shelter among other venues.

• Reflect and understand how identities could give advantages in the workplace—while others might experience disadvantages—and build the awareness and compassion needed to create an equitable and inclusive workplace.
• Create an inclusive environment and behave in a way that ensures that clients and employees feel embraced, respected, and valued, engaged and connected to the community, and safe from abuse and harassment.
• Provide advocacy, referral, and crisis intervention for victims receiving forensic sexual assault and domestic violence exams.
• Notify the Vice President of Advocacy Services, a clinical supervisor, or COPES when the client appears in danger of hurting themselves or someone else during hospital advocacy.
• Act as a mandated reporter for child and elder abuse and provide reports to the Vice President of Clinical Services, Vice President of Advocacy Service, and the Vice President of Safe Housing.
• Assist in monitoring the stock of survivor supplies and transport supplies to the exam site.
• Maintain the hospital exam room in a clean and orderly manner.
• Compile and label victim packets.
• Document and maintain client records for sexual assault exams, pursuant to DVIS guidelines and professional standards.
• Participate in periodic external audits.
• Assist with phone coverage, client intake, and client needs during evening and overnight hours at the Shelter.
• Provide rotating Staff on Call coverage to ensure that sexual assault crisis services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Assist victims in accessing immediate agency aid.
• Provide advocacy and referral services to victims at the Shelter.
• Document and maintain accurate client records for victim services at the Shelter, following DVIS guidelines and professional standards.
• Maintain a professional relationship with the SANE nursing staff, law enforcement, and other external agencies and partners.
• Coordinate services with forensic nurses and law enforcement to provide immediate care for victims.
• Provide education and outreach to underserved populations that are at increased risk of victimization.
• Provide training to professionals that are likely to encounter those who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking.
• Collaborate with the Grants Department on testimonials.
• Assist with training other Advocates and staff on Victim Services procedures.

• Education:
  
  2-year degree in Behavioral Science, Criminal Justice, or Law Enforcement preferred, or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Experience:
  
  2 years of experience working in hospital services, social services, or a domestic violence/sexual assault agency required; 1 year of experience working with victims of violent crime including familiarity with hospital, police, and court procedures related to sexual assault, and working in a nonprofit preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, lived experience, and/or special skills.
• Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:
  Knowledge of or experience working with social justice issues, specifically intimate partner, and gender-based violence, post-traumatic stress, and rape trauma syndrome, and racial, class, gender, and sexual orientation issues strongly preferred. Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite and database experience are preferred. Requires organizational skills, written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize work and tasks.
  
  Requires adaptability to produce and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-task and changing environment, and the ability to work as part of a team. Requires the ability to embrace, support, and integrate the DVIS philosophies to promote and…