Juvenile and Domestic Relations Victim Advocate - Norfolk

About YWCA South Hampton Roads

YWCA South Hampton Roads (YWCA SHR) is the oldest and largest multicultural women’s organization in the world. YWCA SHR is dedicated to the fullness of its mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Serving approximately 8,000 individuals each year, YWCA SHR is a source of strength, courage, and empowerment for women and families facing crisis. We are a community catalyst for meaningful change and the advocate for shaping vital impact through quality services responding to the critical needs of survivors of sexual violence and domestic violence. YWCA SHR works across racial, gender, religious and social lines with organizations-partners in all sectors to educate about disparities, advocate for change and provide resources and tools to dismantle oppressive systems.

YWCA SHR is in the midst of a rapid transformation from a well-established direct service provider for women and families facing crisis to an organization working at the intersection of eliminating racism, empowering women, standing up for social justice, helping families, and strengthening our community.

Under general supervision of the Victim Advocate Manager, provides victim advocacy services, victim advocacy accompaniment, legal education, crisis intervention counseling, emotional support, and community referrals to primary and secondary victims of interpersonal violence. This position is stationed out of the Norfolk Courthouse Juvenile and Domestic Relations (JDR) Court Services Unit.

• Provide in person and telephone communication with clients providing; crisis intervention counseling, legal victim advocacy, personal safety planning, service planning, and community referrals
• Provide advocacy and accompaniment services during legal proceedings, during law enforcement interviews, prosecutor interviews, and other related settings as necessary for primary and secondary victims of interpersonal violence
• Provide accompaniment and education in the JDR Court Services Unit for Protective Order petitioners experiencing interpersonal violence

• Work collaboratively with YWCA staff, law enforcement units, Commonwealth Attorney’s, and Victim Witness staff to provide immediate and ongoing communication regarding clients while maintaining YWCA confidentiality policies
• Maintain documentation of clients’ requests for services, intervention initiatives, service plans, and services provided through the ECM and VADATA systems

• Act as a resource person for staff. Prepare and deliver in-service programs and training for agency staff, interns and volunteers
• Provide community and allied professional training regarding YWCA services and interpersonal violence
• Pursue on-going training and education regarding interpersonal violence, legal issues, community resources and other related topics
• Attend staff meetings and attend related professional activities as assigned
• Other duties as assigned

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or a related human services field preferred
• A relevant combination of education, training, and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree, including experience in fields such as law enforcement.
• A minimum of one year of related experience with housing, homeless population, and/or victims of violence required.
• Must successfully pass a criminal background check
• Must complete the YWCA SHR Onboarding and Advanced Training Program

• Demonstrate…