Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (Child & Adult)

CONTACT Rape Crisis Center is seeking a community-focused candidate for immediate hire as a Child & Adult Victim Advocate

Working at Contact is a uniquely rewarding experience in which our employees and volunteers work together to provide advocacy and support for victims of sexual assault and stalking.

Location: Huntington, WV - In-office position in Huntington, WV. Candidates must have a personal vehicle as they will be out in the community and at the hospitals helping survivors.

The Child & Family Victim Advocate is a frontline advocacy position responsible for providing trauma-informed crisis intervention, advocacy, and follow-up services to children who have experienced sexual abuse or stalking and their non-offending caregivers. This position is part of CONTACT’s Child Advocacy Center (CAC) Team and operates within a coordinated, dual-advocate model.

In addition to specialized CAC responsibilities, the Child & Family Victim Advocate fulfills all core duties of a Victim Advocate, including hotline coverage, community collaboration, documentation, and survivor support across systems.

Primary Responsibilities

Child Advocacy Center (CAC)

• Serve as part of a four-person CAC Team providing advocacy services at the Cabell Child Advocacy Center.
• Rotate between acting as the child advocate and the caregiver advocate throughout the week to ensure consistent, comprehensive support.
• Provide age-appropriate emotional support, grounding, and reassurance to children before, during, and after forensic interviews.
• Support non-offending caregivers by explaining the CAC process, providing emotional support, safety planning, and referrals.
• Offer ongoing follow-up advocacy services to children and caregivers following CAC interviews, including coordination with counseling, medical providers, law enforcement, and other community partners.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and collaborate with CAC partners to ensure coordinated, trauma-informed care.

Victim Advocacy

• Provide crisis intervention and advocacy services to victims of sexual violence and stalking across medical, legal, and community settings.
• Provide scheduled coverage for acute calls on CONTACT’s 24-hour hotline, including on weekends, nights, and holidays. These calls may include adult or child victims.
• Assist survivors with safety planning, referrals, and navigation of systems, including hospitals, law enforcement, and courts.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all client information in accordance with agency policy and applicable laws.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential client files, service statistics, and activity logs.
• Complete required documentation for agency records, funders, and monthly reporting.
• Ensure compliance with CONTACT policies, ethical standards, and grant requirements.

Team & Organizational Support

• Work collaboratively with advocacy staff, leadership, and community partners.
• Participate in regular staff meetings, training, and professional development opportunities.
• Assist with volunteer recruitment and training as assigned.
• Provide community education and awareness regarding CONTACT’s services
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications:

Please note: these qualifications are for the right candidate. If you believe you can do this job, please apply even if you aren’t a “perfect” candidate. We celebrate having employees from diverse backgrounds.

• Degree or Certificate in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Education, Nursing, or a related field – comparable work or volunteer experience considered.
• Experience working with children in difficult situations, such as foster care, CPS, forensic interviewing, child therapy, or related fields.
• MUST live within 30 minutes of Huntington area hospitals.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office
• Must be professional with excellent decision-making skills.
• Must be able to work professionally and with the highest ethics.
• Must have good computer skills, including email, video calls, troubleshooting, and general workplace applications.
• Must be able to operate scanners, printers, and other office equipment.
• Must be able to maintain a good working relationship with people of various backgrounds, including lower-income people, those in active addiction or recovery, doctors, nurses, law enforcement, government officials, and employees of other organizations. CONTACT does not discriminate against any survivor of sexual violence or stalking.
• Must be able to work with child victims and their parents/guardians, and adult victims and their loved ones.
• Must be able to maintain positive working relationships with colleagues.
• Must have a valid driver's license, auto insurance, and reliable transportation.
• Preference is given to candidates with experience in Cabell County courts, community-based organizations, or state and local government services.
• No background of violent crimes, crimes against children, or crimes that violate the Victims of Crime Act.

We will not consider full time students, graduate students who need to do practicums or internships, or other candidates who have inflexible schedules. This is a full-time position that doesn't fit an easy 9-5 schedule.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay Range & Benefits:

• Pay in the $20/hr range
• 11 paid holidays per year
• 20 paid PTO days per year + an additional 5 days PTO after the first 5 years
• $450 health insurance premium stipend per month
• 401(k) plan with up to 3% match, fully vested
• Low-cost supplemental insurance like vision, dental, life, or disability
• Professional development and training to become a certified victim advocate provided

TO APPLY:

Interviews will begin immediately. Please apply ASAP.

Applications must include a cover letter and resume.

Please include in your cover letter why you are interested in this position and how your background & personality relate to the job qualifications. Highlight your accomplishments and what makes you suited for this position. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

We will contact you by the email on your application.

Planned interview schedule:

1. 15 – 30 minute zoom introductions

2. 1 hr in-person interviews

3. Possible follow up in-person interview depending on the number of qualified candidates

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Application Question(s):

• Do you have experience working with children from difficult backgrounds?
• This position requires on-call time to respond to victims 24/7. On-call shifts may include nights, weekends and holidays. Are you comfortable and available for flexible scheduling within the 40 hours per week?

Ability to Commute:

• Huntington, WV 25701 (Required)

Work Location: In person