TITLE: Victim Advocate

STATUS: Full-time, 35 hours per week, Non-Exempt

HOURLY RATE: $25.00 and up, DOE, plus benefits

LOCATION: San Pablo/Marin/Antioch

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

Rape Crisis Center, a program of Community Violence Solutions, responds to more than 8,000 requests for help each year, approximately 1,200 in person. Staff and volunteers are on call to provide support by phone and in person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our mission is to eradicate the violent crime of sexual assault and family violence. Child and adult victims receive immediate help through our 24-hour Crisis Line, Counseling and In-Person Support, including hospital accompaniment, police interviews, and legal proceedings.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

Reporting to the Rape Crisis Center Project Manager, the Victim Advocate is responsible for providing crisis intervention, advocacy, and accompaniment services as well as physical, technical, and emotional support for sexual assault victims. The Victim Advocate will have client confidentiality privileges and will maintain confidentiality. The Victim Advocate will provide law enforcement trainings.

SPECIFIC DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Provide crisis intervention, follow-up, support services, advocacy, and accompaniment services to adult victims served through the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and other sexual assault victims as identified. The response includes medical, law enforcement, Child Protective Services and criminal justice advocacy and accompaniment as well as developing a plan with each assault victim in order to facilitate her/his recovery from the trauma associated with the sexual assault. Support services are also to be provided to the victim's significant others.
• Ensure that sexual assault clients are supported and accompanied through the criminal justice process. This includes law enforcement, district attorney, and other criminal justice advocacy and accompaniment, as well as furthering a plan with each sexual assault victim in order to facilitate her/his recovery from the trauma associated with the sexual assault. Support services are also to be provided to the sexual assault victim’s significant others.
• Direct services can and will include meeting the sexual assault victim at convenient locations to ease access of service identifying resources and assisting the victim to connect with those resources to promote recovery from the assault. Advocacy will include interfacing with medical and legal systems to provide continuity of services and collaboration among involved agencies.
• Occasionally provide transportation to related appointments.
• Facilitate run groups that assist individuals in their healing process.
• Conduct community outreach in order to educate and inform individuals and families that may have been impacted by sexual violence to promote their usage of Rape Crisis Center services.
• Provide community education presentations and tabling events.
• Provide training to law enforcement as requested about sexual violence and the services available to victims.
• Provide in-service education to volunteers as requested.
• Will assist in staffing the 24-hour crisis line.
• Draft project reports and manuals.
• Document all service delivery and maintain accurate and up-to-date records of service delivery to clients.
• Assist with administrative steps necessary to reach project goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• A BSW-related degree or equivalent work experience is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and two years experience in providing crisis intervention services to victims of crimes, preferably to victims of sexual assault.
• Experience in delivery of crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy and accompaniment services to victims of sexual assault both children and adults. Knowledge of sexual assault-related issues and intervention techniques, ability to provide services in accordance with Rape Crisis Center philosophy and within Office of Criminal Justice Planning guidelines, and ability to work within a team approach both inter- and intra- agency.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system including law enforcement and court related issues related to sexual assault.
• Practical communication skills including writing (primarily written procedures, grant reports writing), public speaking, active listening skills, and conflict resolution/mediation skills. Proven ability to advocate and negotiate.
• Demonstrated ability and sensitivity to diversity issues involved in working in a multicultural community. Experience in working with adults, children, and families.
• Experience in implementation of goals and objectives to meet grant/contract compliance.
• Must be available to work some weekends or evenings, as needed.
• Able to obtain clearance with the California Department of Justice.
• Must have valid California drivers’ license, insurance and working vehicle.
• Computer capable: Microsoft Word.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person