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. Non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, are expected.
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 the client record and the 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.
- At the direction of the Non-Residential Services Manager, facilitate groups.
- Utilize volunteers to assist with advocacy and accompaniment.
- Provide training to volunteers and new staff as requested.
- 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, to interpret to the community the services of the agency.
- When answering Hotline, ensure that calls are identified and proper protocols followed.
- By means of active listening, provide quality telephone counseling 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 to ensure client confidentiality.
- Ensure incoming calls are appropriately logged to maintain proper and accurate documentation of records.
- Maintain appropriate case records on each client served.
- Ensure that an accurate record of working hours, mileage, etc. is maintained by self and any assigned volunteers.
- Ensure timely preparation of administrative documents and reports as requested/required.
- Participate with staff in long-range planning as requested, to ensure continuing quality service delivery.
- To perform other duties as assigned by the Non-Residential Services Manager, Deputy Director, and the President & CEO.
- Attend all meetings and training as directed.
- Maintain professional conduct and represent the Agency in a professional manner.
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 dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault; excellent oral and written communication skills; bilingual preferred (English/Spanish); flexibility, good judgment, ability to handle crisis situations; high level of personal integrity, diplomacy, discretion, and tact is necessary; computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office products; flexible and able to manage multiple priorities with ability to work with minimal supervision and meet deadlines; non-traditional hours to include some evening and weekend hours possible; 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 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 is required.
