SCHEDULE: 40 Hours/week
Purpose/Function of Position: To provide information, supportive services, and advocacy to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. To provide community education regarding domestic violence and sexual assault issues and referral information for agency services.
KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREA: Client Support Services
Duties include, but are not limited to the following:
• Provide peer counseling, education, and advocacy to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Complete an intake as outlined in the agency handbook, including a needs and goals assessment, safety plan, and legal needs assessment; assist with appropriate program referral based on the assessment and complete follow-up to ensure the client is receiving and participating in appropriate services. Document all activity in client record and Osnium database.
• Ensure accompaniment of client to hospital, police/sheriff departments, court proceedings, etc., as appropriate and necessary.
• Provide support and information to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault regarding options available in the criminal justice system and assist the client in accessing their chosen course of action.
• Refer clients to other social service agencies for additional services as appropriate.
• Assist clients in filing crime victims’ compensation claims.
• Act as liaison with other agencies/entities on behalf of clients, as required, either directly or through assigned volunteers.
• At the direction of the Non-Residential Services Manager, respond to hospital calls for sexual assault survivors when a volunteer is not available.
• Transport clients to the shelter facility when needed and in accordance with guidelines established by the Non-Residential Services Manager.
• Utilize volunteers to assist with advocacy and accompaniment.
• Provide training to volunteers and new staff as requested.
KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREA: Community Education and Development
Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:
• Meet with criminal justice officials, social service workers, law enforcement, etc., to inform them of services offered by the agency.
• Distribute educational materials, which will inform abuse victims of the rights and services available to them.
• Make public appearances, as assigned, in order to interpret to the community the services of the agency.
KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREA: Crisis Hotline
Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:
• When answering Hotline, ensure that calls are identified and proper protocols followed.
• By means of active listening, provide quality telephone counseling in order to determine service eligibility of clients and to assist clients in crisis.
• Provide information to callers regarding agency services, programs, and eligibility requirements, etc. in such a way as to educate callers about the services of the agency.
• Screen incoming calls in order to ensure client confidentiality.
• Ensure incoming calls are appropriately logged in order to maintain proper and accurate documentation of records.
KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREA: Record and Facility Maintenance
Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:
• Ensure that appropriate records are maintained regarding clients and service delivery.
• Prepare reports and maintain appropriate records for reporting requirements.
• Ensure that an accurate record of working hours, mileage, etc. is maintained.
• Ensure that an accurate work record for volunteers is maintained.
• Ensure offices are maintained appropriately and report facility concerns immediately to the Non-Residential Services Manager.
• Manage designated offices in such a manner as to ensure the smooth operations of services, periodically evaluating effectiveness, appropriateness, service delivery, and cost efficiency.
SPECIAL OVAG GRANT CONDITIONS: Advocate 1 will spend the following approximate percentage of time on approved OVAG direct service activities in the Alice service area – 25%.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree preferred. At the discretion of the President and CEO, substantial experience in a shelter setting or in advocacy may be substituted for educational requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge of domestic violence and sexual assault dynamics preferred; excellent oral and written communication skills required to include public speaking; high level of personal integrity, diplomacy, discretion, and tact is necessary; computer literate with proficiency in Microsoft Office products; highly organized, flexible, with ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities concurrently, and meet deadlines; non-traditional hours to include some evening and weekend hours required; some travel requiring a valid driver’s license and a personal, insured vehicle for use on the job required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is typically working in a climate-controlled office environment but is sometimes exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Normal workday physical activity includes frequent sitting, standing, walking, and climbing stairs.
• Requires employee to use hands, arms, legs, neck and head while performing tasks.
• Requires occasional twisting at desk when answering phone or keyboarding.
• Requires retrieving files by pulling and pushing cabinet drawers with occasional bending, squatting, kneeling, and reaching above shoulder level.
• Requires frequent data entry into the computer keyboard.
• Requires extensive speaking in person and on the telephone with staff and others.
• Requires occasional lifting and/or moving up to 30 pounds.
• Limited travel required.
