Advocate GEN/AHT

JOB_REQUIREMENTS

Hires in

Not specified

Employment Type

Not specified

Company Location

Not specified

Salary

Not specified

POSITION TITLE: Advocate General & Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) Specialization

DEPARTMENT: Advocacy Team

REPORTS TO: Manager – Anti Human Trafficking and Advocacy

CLASSIFICATION: Regular, Full-time

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

The Advocate is primarily responsible for providing trauma informed crisis intervention and ongoing support, and advocacy to survivors of all ages mainly in the judicial and civil systems, but also the medical and academic systems. The Advocate provides a broad range of services to empower a survivor including, but not limited to: educating and facilitating the survivor’s decision making, serving as a liaison between agencies, accompanying/staying with the survivor during court appointments, conducting safety planning, and engaging with survivors at the human trafficking drop-in center and human trafficking task force office . The Advocate will also assist with providing training for law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and other community professionals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide survivor assistance for clients of all ages in a variety of settings such as the judicial, medical, academic systems to survivors and co-survivors, mental health organizations, or recovery operations with the Human Trafficking Task-Force, and other law enforcement entities
Coordinate with detectives with scheduling and coordinating survivor interviews
Accompany clients to police interviews, grand jury, meetings with prosecutors, court proceedings, and Title IX hearings
Provide survivor assistance for clients from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, Juvenile Court, and Cleveland Police Department Sex Crime and Child Abuse unit, local police departments, and Case Western Reserve University
Provide back-up survivor assistance in Lake, Ashtabula, and Geauga Counties
Provide follow-up and referral services to clients
Assist with training hotline and volunteer advocates
Assist with trainings for community members, including roll call, in-service, grand jury, etc.
Serve as an active member on the Sexual Assault Response Team and Safe Harbor Treatment Team and regularly provide the clients on the docket with CRCC information and basic trauma coping skills
Build relationships with other professionals, including police departments, prosecutor’s office, probation/parole, other SART members, and others who work with survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking
Provide back-up coverage of 24-hour support line as needed. Provide emergency line coverage as needed
Maintain justice advocacy statistics in database (Apricot)
Participate in coalitions directly related to advocacy, survivors and the criminal and civil justice system
Submit monthly reports of activities using database (Apricot)

CONTACTS/REPORTING

Drop-In Center Guests
CRCC Clients (direct)
CRCC Staff including multi-disciplinary teams as appropriate
Various Community Partners and Agencies
Human Trafficking Task Force
Safe Harbor Docket Treatment Team
Works closely with professionals involved during a sexual violence investigation (e.g. law enforcement, city and county prosecutor’s office, victim advocates, forensic nurses, mental health professionals, probation, etc.)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

None

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS

Associates’ degree in law enforcement, paralegal, social services or related field; Bachelor’s preferred
With an Associate’s degree, 5 years of work experience in a related field providing direct services to the community in a human services program; 2 years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
May consider an equivalent combination of education, experience, and/or training to meet the essential functions of the position

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & COMPETENCIES

Must have ability to build relationships, collaborate internally and externally, and communicate effectively with diverse audiences, staff, volunteers and partners both verbally and in writing
Able to assess the needs of clients under emotional stress and refer to appropriate resources
Handle graphic accounts of crimes, interact effectively with emotionally upset survivors
Maintain confidentiality of information
Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills demonstrated by the ability to handle complaints, mediate disputes, resolve grievances and conflicts, and negotiate with others

Ability to listen to the ideas of others and accept feedback from others to continuously improve
Ability to organize and prioritize tasks to maximize results and ensure deadlines are met
Ability to approach the work and the decision-making process through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion
Knowledge of the criminal justice system
Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communications skills
Good analytical and organizational skills
Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information
Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Ability to use electronic medical records database and videoconferencing tools (e.g. Zoom, MS Teams)

Core Competencies for All Employees

Committed to the mission of CRCC to serve survivors and prevent sexual violence
Must have the ability to build relationships; collaborate internally and externally; and communicate effectively with diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing
Demonstrated knowledge of cultural diversity and how intersectionality contributes to specific systemic oppression and discrimination
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion, integrity, and restraint
Respectful of others; interacts with tact and sensitivity

Core Competencies for Client Facing Employees

Ability to assess the needs of clients under emotional stress, de-escalate situations involving elevated clients, and identify appropriate initial response plans. Remains calm and reassuring in crises and responds appropriately.
Comfort with and sensitivity to needs/expectations of clients and professionals with varied ethnic, socioeconomic, and philosophical perspectives
Ability to be resilient
Basic understanding of trauma informed care

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

Typical office environment
Human Trafficking Task Force
Community-based locations (e.g. libraries, offices of other agencies, Cleveland Police Department)

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED

Typical office equipment (phone, computers, copiers, etc.)

TYPICAL PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEMANDS

ADA SPECIFICATIONS (Physical demands that must be met in order to successfully complete the essential functions of the position, with or without an accommodation)

Ability to speak, hear, see and use computer and other office related equipment
Ability to stand, sit, and lift up to 15 lbs.
Ability to travel nationally, regionally and locally

Mental Demands that may be an inherent part of one’s position at CRCC

Hearing and processing stories of sexual violence from survivors of various ages
Understanding the symptoms of vicarious trauma and knowing how to minimize its impact
Using supervision to appropriately process feelings of burnout, countertransference, and vicarious trauma

SCHEDULE/LOCATION

In order to meet the needs of CRCC, this position requires work to be performed at our Drop In Center, our other CRCC locations and at locations within the community
Work is performed onsite at a CRCC location as required, and may be performed remotely (i.e. at home) the balance of the time with supervisor approval
Typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. In addition, the incumbent may be required to work outside of normal working hours/days

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of CRCC.

Furthermore, this position description does not establish a contract of employment and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the Center. In addition to the requirements for this position, all employees are expected to become familiar with and uphold the Center’s Vision, Mission, Core Competencies, Guiding Principles, and Standards of Conduct.

Similar jobs