Project Woman of Ohio
525 E. Home Rd.
Springfield, Ohio 45503

Job Description: Victim Advocate

JOB TITLE: Victim Advocate
DEPARTMENT: Domestic Violence Advocacy
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Hourly
SALARY: $18/ hr.
REPORTS TO: Advocacy Coordinator

EXPECTATIONS OF ALL EMPLOYEES

To support Project Woman’s mission and values by exhibiting the following behaviors: confidentiality and respect for all survivors, Trauma-Informed Responses and Approaches, service excellence and job competence, collaboration and team player, and commitment to our community. All employees of Project Woman serve as role models of work and behavior standards for Project Woman in and outside of the workplace including social media profiles and any other forums.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direct supervision of the Advocacy Services Coordinator; provides advocacy consistent with best practices, assists with outreach and community relations, and provides training for volunteers, staff and community partners as needed. Is a member of Coordinated Community Response Team(s) for Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking. Provide expertise related to Special Populations as defined by the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of work experience, education, and certifications.
• Registered Advocate in Senior Standing (a plus).
• Experience working in domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or related fields.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and organizational abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong professional ethics, including confidentiality and appropriate boundaries.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and willing to learn new technology platforms.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and provide culturally competent services.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• General knowledge of domestic violence, sexual assault, social services, and community resources.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to remain calm and responsive in crisis situations.
• Excellent time management and multitasking skills.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment.
• Customer-service mindset and trauma-informed approach.
• Maintain effective relationships with survivors, staff, volunteers, and partners.

COMPETENCIES:

• Respectfulness & Relationship Building: Builds constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect.
• Commitment to Quality Service: Builds and maintains client/community satisfaction with the services offered.
• Team Focused & Collaborative: Promotes cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and objectives.
• Self-Accountability & Work Standards: Sets high standards of performance for self and assumes responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks.
• Stress tolerance & Unflappability: Maintains composure in highly stressful or adverse situations.
• Professionalism and Personal Boundaries: Conducts self within appropriate and expected professional boundaries and policies.
• Conflict Management: Helps others to effectively resolve complex or sensitive disagreements or conflicts.
• Valuing Diversity: Helps to create an environment that embraces and appreciates diversity.
• Confidentiality, Integrity, Ethics and Trust: Maintains confidentiality and earns others’ trust and respect through consistent honesty and professionalism in all interactions.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position is generally performed in a standard office environment and is moderately active. Work may include sitting and standing for long periods of time. Work in this environment will result in regularly assisting people in acute distress or crisis.

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

MENTAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve non-routine and complex inter-personal issues on behalf of survivors; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work under intensive deadlines with frequent interruptions; and interact with community partners, staff, vendors, survivors, the public and others encountered in the course of work, some of whom may be dissatisfied or abusive individuals. Employees must be able to control their emotions and remain calm. This is a high stress occupation and self-care is essential as is the ability to handle stress in a positive manner.

JOB RELATIONSHIPS

Supervises: None

Supervised by: Advocacy Coordinator

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
The employee’s signature below constitutes the employee's understanding of the requirements, functions, and duties of the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Project Woman of Ohio is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects human diversity and improves opportunities for all. The agency is committed to equal opportunity, affirmative action, and eliminating discrimination. Project Woman does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other basis under the law, in its employment.