General Crime Victim Advocate

Our Mission:

Cornerstone’s continuum of service helps to create communities where individuals and families are safe and children thrive. We advocate, educate and lead the way to social change.

Summary of Cornerstone

Cornerstone is a $5.5 million organization that provides comprehensive services for individuals and families in the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking or general crime. Our offices are located in Bloomington, Brooklyn Center and Minneapolis. Learn more at www.cornerstonemn.org.

Diversity and Inclusion:

We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and worksites. BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.

Cornerstone Benefits:

Health care, paid time off, 12 paid holidays which includes employee birthday, retirement savings with up to 4% match after 1 year, basic life insurance free to employees, long term disability free to employees.

EEO Statement:

Cornerstone strives for a fully inclusive work environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, veteran, disability, age, marital or, familial, and/or with regard to public assistance or any other characteristic. We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Salary Range: $18.00 -$ 21.63 Hourly.

Our Mission:

Cornerstone’s continuum of service helps to create communities where individuals and families are safe and children thrive. We advocate, educate and lead the way to social change.

Summary of Cornerstone

Cornerstone is a $5.5 million organization that provides comprehensive services for individuals and families in the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking or general crime. Our offices are located in Bloomington, Brooklyn Center and Minneapolis. Learn more at www.cornerstonemn.org.

Diversity and Inclusion:

We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and worksites. BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.

Cornerstone Benefits:

Health care, paid time off, 12 paid holidays which includes employee birthday, retirement savings with up to 4% match after 1 year, basic life insurance free to employees, long term disability free to employees.

EEO Statement:

Cornerstone strives for a fully inclusive work environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, veteran, disability, age, marital or, familial, and/or with regard to public assistance or any other characteristic. We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: This position provides advocacy services to victims of general crime, in a trauma informed, survivor-centered, culturally responsive, and knowledgeable manner. General Crime Victim (GCV) advocacy includes providing participants with information on victim rights and available resources, including restitution, reparations, and emergency funds. This position advocates and supports the victim within the civil/criminal justice process inclusive of law enforcement, victim witness coordinators/advocates, prosecutors and other professionals/providers and other systems based on their self-defined needs. This position assists with distributing emergency victim assistance funds.

Education and/or Experience:

Advocate II: Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or human service-related field or equivalent experience in a social services field. Three or more years of experience providing direct crisis response services to victims.

Advocate I: Associates degree in psychology, social work, or human service-related field or equivalent experience in a social services field. Two or more years of experience providing direct crisis response services direct crisis response services to victims.

Hours/Scheduling: This is a full-time position which may require flexible scheduling to support participants’ needs. Shifts may include some evenings and weekends as assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Understanding of trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and culturally responsive care practices comprehensive with a focus on how persons are impacted by the effects of personal crimes.
• General understanding of crime victim’s rights, civil remedies, and the criminal justice systems with the understanding additional training will be provided.
• Experience working in the human services field and working with diverse, marginalized and/or underrepresented populations.
• Communicating in a calm, trauma-informed way with participants in crisis.
• Good written and interpersonal skills with the ability to work with v/s, concerned persons, and community partners in a friendly, cooperative, and professional manner.
• Mandatory 40-hour sexual assault certification or the ability to complete training within 6 months of hire.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and other related forms of technology.
• Valid driver’s license, automobile insurance and reliable vehicle (Valid Driver’s License and auto insurance must be on file with HR.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides professional and confidential survivor-centered support, advocacy, information, and safety planning for victims/survivors through phone, email and in-person.
• Explains the civil/criminal justice process and statutory rights afforded to crime victims.
• Provides information to victims on the availability of financial assistance through restitution, crime victim reparations and emergency funds, and provides appropriate referrals.
• Provides resources and information specific to participants’ needs including but not limited to: legal resources, civil protective orders, U-visa applications, housing, safety, and security issues; creditors; property repair; and in obtaining assistance from other non-traditional resources/services.

• Processes Emergency Victim Assistance requests per program policies and eligibility• Assists in filing of Harassment Restraining Orders, reparations claim forms, and elderly vulnerable adult reports.

• Collaborates with other Cornerstone programs to meet victim needs.
• Assures data entry is completed accurately in Apricot database and other tracking methods.

• Properly documents all critical incidents: child protection reports, emergency response calls, and participant injury/cons. Completes other documentation as assigned by supervisor. • Maintains strict confidentiality according to applicable to the law and Cornerstone’s policies.

• Maintains partnerships with local county and state law enforcement and civil/criminal justice offices.
• Conducts outreach and training efforts on crime victimization issues and services available to victims to community service groups, civic organizations, law enforcement, special populations, professional organizations, schools, etc.
• Any other duties as assigned by supervisor that support overall program services and services to survivors/victims.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Promotes Cornerstone Advocacy Service’s (CAS) mission & philosophy.
• Displays high ethical and professional standards.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through learning, training, and dialog.
• Attends supervision, staff meetings, and training as required.
• Participates in internal CAS committees and represents CAS on external committees based on interest/assignment and approval by supervisor.

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 and those who may be Deaf/Hard of Hearing, to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use manual dexterity for use of objects, tools, or controls as well as visual acuity. The employee is required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. The employee should always request assistance if any object needs to be lifted and the employee feels that their capabilities are such that the specific item to be lifted is beyond the employee’s abilities. No employee should attempt to lift more than what is comfortable for them. If such a situation should arise the employee should notify their supervisor to find help with lifting any item regardless of weight if the object to be lifted is awkward or difficult to lift in any way

POSITION DESCRIPTION: This position provides advocacy services to victims of general crime, in a trauma informed, survivor-centered, culturally responsive, and knowledgeable manner. General Crime Victim (GCV) advocacy includes providing participants with information on victim rights and available resources, including restitution, reparations, and emergency funds. This position advocates and supports the victim within the civil/criminal justice process inclusive of law enforcement, victim witness coordinators/advocates, prosecutors and other professionals/providers and other systems based on their self-defined needs. This position assists with distributing emergency victim assistance funds.

Education and/or Experience:

Advocate II: Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or human service-related field or equivalent experience in a social services field. Three or more years of experience providing direct crisis response services to victims.

Advocate I: Associates degree in psychology, social work, or human service-related field or equivalent experience in a social services field. Two or more years of experience providing direct crisis response services direct crisis response services to victims.

Hours/Scheduling: This is a full-time position which may require flexible scheduling to support participants’ needs. Shifts may include some evenings and weekends as assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Understanding of trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and culturally responsive care practices comprehensive with a focus on how persons are impacted by the effects of personal crimes.
• General understanding of crime victim’s rights, civil remedies, and the criminal justice systems with the understanding additional training will be provided.
• Experience working in the human services field and working with diverse, marginalized and/or underrepresented populations.
• Communicating in a calm, trauma-informed way with participants in crisis.
• Good written and interpersonal skills with the ability to work with v/s, concerned persons, and community partners in a friendly, cooperative, and professional manner.
• Mandatory 40-hour sexual assault certification or the ability to complete training within 6 months of hire.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and other related forms of technology.
• Valid driver’s license, automobile insurance and reliable vehicle (Valid Driver’s License and auto insurance must be on file with HR.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides professional and confidential survivor-centered support, advocacy, information, and safety planning for victims/survivors through phone, email and in-person.
• Explains the civil/criminal justice process and statutory rights afforded to crime victims.
• Provides information to victims on the availability of financial assistance through restitution, crime victim reparations and emergency funds, and provides appropriate referrals.
• Provides resources and information specific to participants’ needs including but not limited to: legal resources, civil protective orders, U-visa applications, housing, safety, and security issues; creditors; property repair; and in obtaining assistance from other non-traditional resources/services.

• Processes Emergency Victim Assistance requests per program policies and eligibility• Assists in filing of Harassment Restraining Orders, reparations claim forms, and elderly vulnerable adult reports.

• Collaborates with other Cornerstone programs to meet victim needs.
• Assures data entry is completed accurately in Apricot database and other tracking methods.

• Properly documents all critical incidents: child protection reports, emergency response calls, and participant injury/cons. Completes other documentation as assigned by supervisor. • Maintains strict confidentiality according to applicable to the law and Cornerstone’s policies.

• Maintains partnerships with local county and state law enforcement and civil/criminal justice offices.
• Conducts outreach and training efforts on crime victimization issues and services available to victims to community service groups, civic organizations, law enforcement, special populations, professional organizations, schools, etc.
• Any other duties as assigned by supervisor that support overall program services and services to survivors/victims.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Promotes Cornerstone Advocacy Service’s (CAS) mission & philosophy.
• Displays high ethical and professional standards.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through learning, training, and dialog.
• Attends supervision, staff meetings, and training as required.
• Participates in internal CAS committees and represents CAS on external committees based on interest/assignment and approval by supervisor.

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 and those who may be Deaf/Hard of Hearing, to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use manual dexterity for use of objects, tools, or controls as well as visual acuity. The employee is required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. The employee should always request assistance if any object needs to be lifted and the employee feels that their capabilities are such that the specific item to be lifted is beyond the employee’s abilities. No employee should attempt to lift more than what is comfortable for them. If such a situation should arise the employee should notify their supervisor to find help with lifting any item regardless of weight if the object to be lifted is awkward or difficult to lift in any way

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