Victim Advocate

Job openings are posted as they become available and remain posted until they are filled. All applicants are required to submit to drug testing and background checks.

Location: Winston Salem, NC

Job : 416

# of Openings: 1

Provides compassionate services that strengthen the wellbeing and safety of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and elder abuse. Directs information, advocacy, and supportive services that allow individuals and families to make informed decisions. Offers client support, advocacy, and intervention to adults affected by domestic violence offenders.

• Provides crisis intervention services including safety planning to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and elder abuse by advocating on their behalf with the criminal justice system, by assisting victims through networking with appropriate community resources, and by providing follow-up services to program referrals.
• Assures quality court advocacy services by being knowledgeable of the processes and systems related to civil and criminal court proceedings.
• Acts as a liaison between the victim in domestic violence criminal cases and the involved partners such as judges, prosecutors, clerks, and law enforcement.
• Supports victims in obtaining emergency protective orders – facilitates electronic filing process.
• Provides pre‑court orientation and an on‑site presence at civil and criminal court hearings.
• Coordinates continuity of services with collateral agencies, such as law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Social Services, etc., ensuring that multiple agency staff involved with the same client provide services in a coordinated manner that best serves the overall needs of the client.
• Assists with back‑up coverage for crisis calls as needed and performs such other duties as incumbent upon the position and as assigned.
• Assures quality services by being knowledgeable of and enforcing rules, regulations, legal requirements, and community resources, and maintains records necessary for programming and accountability.
• Offers victims information about the Crime Victim Compensation fund, offers the application and assists victims with actually completing the application when they desire to do so.
• Plays an active role in raising the visibility of the programs, connecting the programs to the larger community, and using those linkages to increase the level of community resources (financial, volunteer, tangible, and in‑kind) which benefit FSI programs.
• Assist in providing training to community organizations, as well as new staff and volunteers.
• Bachelor’s Degree with at least 6 months relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated crisis intervention skills in delivering services to victims and an understanding and acceptance of regional psychosocial, cultural, religious and economic differences.
• Knowledge of victimization issues and the legal system.
• Maintains dignity and self‑control in stressful situations and objectivity about personal strengths and limitations.

• Maintains physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include walking, bending, stretching, lifting, standing or sitting for extended periods of time, operating assigned equipment.
• Ability to work flexible/overtime hours, as needed.
• Requires valid NC driver’s license and ability to travel between various agency sites and community resources.

Applicants as well as employees who are or become disabled must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities either unaided or with reasonable accommodation. Family Services, Inc. shall determine reasonable accommodation on a case‑by‑case basis in accordance with applicable law.

Family Services, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or non‑disqualifying physical or mental handicap or disability.