This is a job listing for Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County
The Advocate is responsible for providing support to individuals and families victimized by domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes. Additionally, this position provides education and technical assistance to medical, school and allied professionals, as well as community members, regarding the rights, needs and unique circumstances of crime victims and their family members. General duties include crisis intervention, legal advocacy and accompaniment, medical accompaniment, individual advocacy, transportation, safety planning, case management, referral to/collaboration with other community resource, systems advocacy, prevention and educational services. Advocates are responsible for the maintenance of all client files including case note documentation and data entry into a data management system.
Core Responsibilities
- Serve as a first-responder and/or primary support system for victims of crime and their support networks
- Provide training and technical assistance to criminal justice system, medical field, school students, allied professional and the community
- Model trauma-informed care standards for program participants and the community
- Maintain a strong understanding of the intersection of crime victimization, trauma, socialization and community systems
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of program work plans and funding guidelines and perform job duties accordingly
- Maintain client files and data entry systems including, but not limited to, case notes, service plans, and other important program participant documentation
Day-to-Day Activities
- Provide crisis intervention, legal advocacy, legal and medical accompaniment and safety planning for adults, children and families
- Deliver peer counseling, case management and safety planning for adults, children and families
- Provide accompaniment to law enforcement and prosecutor interviews
- Assess program participant trauma history at program initiation and on a regular on-going basis, and use this information to inform all decisions about participant eligibility and access to services
- Formulate service plans with input from program participant
- Assist program participants in understanding the dynamics of victimization and the impact of trauma
- Demonstrate strong crisis management and de-escalation skills
- Notify, inform, and educate program participants of their rights throughout the legal process
- Advocate for the rights of the program participant to be upheld throughout the legal process
- Assist program participant in obtaining restitution and/or crime victims’ compensation
- Provide mobilized advocacy services by traveling to off-site venues to offer victim services
- Plan, organize, schedule and direct education programs, specifically domestic, sexual, and other crime victimization programs for daycares, pre-schools, grades K-12, teachers of these age groups, parent/teacher organizations, healthcare professionals, criminal justice professionals, as well as for youth and adult community groups, and other professional groups
- Provide training and awareness to professionals regarding domestic and dating violence, appropriate screening and intervention approaches and victims’ rights
- Facilitate activities for domestic, sexual and dating violence victims and their family members regarding victims’ rights, safety planning and available community resources
- Provide on-call services in the form of crisis intervention, personal advocacy and medical accompaniment to local medical facilities to respond to domestic violence and sexual assault victims
- Develop, disseminate, and update education and informational materials to be used in programs that focus on issue awareness and prevention as well as agency services.
- Maintain good working relationships with other social service providers to assist in referral process
- Maintain strong working relationships with people of differing backgrounds, ages, maturity, abilities, races, colors, creeds, genders, ancestry, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status and experiences
- Participate in the development of creative resource tools, program educational opportunities and program participant resources
- Keep necessary documentation, both written and computerized as required; including case notes, service plans, applications, referrals, etc.
- Update all client files and all other online databases (ETO, Client Track, Therapy Notes, etc.) within 48 hours of client contact
- Maintain a flexible schedule to meet agency needs, including but not limited to, working any and all shifts, weekends, and holidays
- Participate in regular supervisory conferences and case management meetings
- Participate in annual performance reviews
- Utilize knowledge, skills and areas of expertise to assist other staff members and volunteers
- Participate in staff meetings offering positive suggestions and solutions for agency improvement when necessary
- Participate in agency work groups and committees as assigned by supervisor
- Represent agency as meetings as identified by supervisor
- Perform all tasks in a manner that is organized and demonstrates strong time management skills
- Prioritize and work both independently and as a team member
- Participate in domestic violence, sexual assault and other crime victim outreach and awareness events
- Attend agency sponsored professional development events, including 10 hours of education regarding crime victims, 6 hours of sexual assault training and 8 hours of domestic violence training on an annual basis
- Disperse all pertinent information regarding client care, programmatic needs, building issues, and other necessary items pertaining to participant care to supervisor
- Disperse all pertinent information to participants regarding program opportunities and available resources
- Communicate with proficiency, both written and verbally
- Any other duties as assigned
Work Experience/Educational Requirements
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in criminal justice, education, counseling, social work or related field from four-year college or university; or Associate’s Degree plus four years of experience working with domestic violence/sexual assault victims and/or other at risk families.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- PA Act 33/34 certifiable
- Valid driver’s license
- Must complete 65 hours of training within the first month of employment
- Must maintain a minimum of 6 hours of continuing education
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.