Victim Advocate

YWCA OF GREATER FLINT

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: ** Victim Advocate

DEPARTMENT: Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Services

POSITION REPORTS TO: **Director of Domestic and Sexual Violence Services

FULL TIME/PART TIME: Full-time

Salary: ** $20.00 Hourly

Mission Statement:

The YWCA Greater Flint is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

Position Summary:

Victim Advocates play a crucial role in reducing the severity of trauma and victimization for survivors and their families. Using a trauma-informed survivor centered approach, advocates will offer crisis intervention, hospital accompaniment, law enforcement support, and advocacy throughout the criminal justice process. The role also includes case management to help victims navigate through the barriers and gaps in services and ensure continuous support through their healing and legal journey.

Major Duties and Expectations:

• Exhibits commitment to the mission and values of the agency ensuring service excellence.
• Maintains confidentiality of all information according to policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior within own and other departments.
• Facilitates good communication between co-workers, outside agencies and management teams.
• Respond openly to new ideas and make suggestions for improvement.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, Safe Center Coordinator and outside agencies.
• Participate in the minimum number of required training hours offered by the Michigan Coalition to end Domestic and Sexual Violence, Michigan Victim Advocacy Network, and other professional training venues to ensure professional readiness.
• Provide support and/or crisis intervention to survivors when necessary.
• Maintain complete and accurate written reports.
• Enter accurate survivor data into the agency database system Empower, and record accurate statistical data as required.
• Maintain a safe, clean, non-threatening, open, inclusive environment for survivors and employees.
• Complete full needs assessment with survivors, including identifying safety needs and barriers, determining appropriate referrals and obtaining necessary documents.
• Offer and assist survivors with resources.
• Accompany survivors on SANE Exams and other appointments as requested.
• Facilitate client goal planning including short and long-term needs.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with law enforcement, the prosecutors office and other collaborating agencies.
• Attend all scheduled staff meetings.
• Participate in on-call Crisis Response Team rotation.
• Facilitate confidential, voluntary survivor support groups.
• Ensure that survivors with mental health needs are referred to behavioral health services.
• Provide survivor surveys both written and electronic.
• Advocate on behalf of survivors within the courts, social service systems, health systems, law enforcement agencies and other community partners.
• Assist with the completion and submission of Personal Protection Orders.
• Assist with the completion and submission of Crime Victim’s Compensation applications.
• Assist with community presentations about the services of the YWCA of Greater Flint.
• Help to ensure agency representation on committees, other community collaborations, commissions, and task forces.
• Carry out and abide by the policies and procedures of the YWCA of Greater Flint.
• Perform other duties and tasks assigned.

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):

• Bachelor's degree in human services, social work, or equivalent education and/or work experience.
• Preferred strong understanding of intimate partner domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking, trauma focused interventions, and trauma informed practices.
• Preferred two years' experience in social service sector, as an employee or volunteer.
• Ability to work effectively in crisis situations.
• Completion of 40-hour New Service Provider training as mandated by the State of Michigan. Candidates who do not already have this certificate will be required to attend the next available training.
• Flexible availability.
• Ability to lift at least 25 lbs., climb stairs, and perform light cleaning and maintenance.
• Demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication and interpersonal relations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong problem-solving skills; strong organizational skills (i.e., ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines).
• PC proficiency in a Microsoft environment; and experience with data entry.
• Preferred familiarity with community-based services and resources.
• Ability to provide culturally competent services and work with a diverse staff and clientele in an empathetic and non-judgmental manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment and maintain calm under pressure.
• Ability to handle information with the highest degree of confidentiality.
• Possess emotional and physical stamina to deal with a variety of stressful situations and self-awareness to reach out to supervisor for assistance when needed.
• Background checks including Central Registry Clearence and Criminal.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Language:

• Bilingual (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Flint, MI 48502 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Flint, MI 48502: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person