Victim Advocate -Youth Services

ADVOCACY CENTER OF TOMPKINS COUNTY

Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Services

Job Description

Title: Youth Services Advocate (full-time)

Reports To: Youth Services Manager

Main Function: The Youth Services Advocate provides support, advocacy, safety planning and case management services to sexually abused children, adolescents, non–offending family members and adult survivors of child sexual abuse, as well as to other agency clients. Services are provided individually, via groups, in person, by phone, on the hotline and virtually as per client need.

Duties and Responsibilities of all Advocacy Center staff

Create welcoming, affirming, and safe work and client spaces by:

• Following agency procedures including those relating to safety, harassment, client confidentiality, mandated child abuse reporting, and building related problems;
• Performing office tasks such as answering the phone and door, cleaning, and responding productively to office needs;
• Regular attendance and meaningful use of staff, department, and supervision meetings, as well as other formal and informal means of communication to better agency culture, work relationships, and services.

Client Services

• Provide crisis intervention, support, safety planning and advocacy services including: accessing services, assistance in reporting crimes if desired by the client and accompaniment to meetings/interviews with law enforcement and/or child protective services whether at our Child Advocacy Center space or off-site. Meet with youth at school, or in the community as needed. Assist with filing for Orders of Protection, provide support for court appearances and testimony; liaison and case management with other involved service providers, help with completing victim impact statements; information and referrals
• Provide support to the supportive adult(s) during forensic interviews at the Child Advocacy Center (CAC)
• Co-facilitate a Teen Group, which may require working outside regular hours
• Complete CSEC(Commercial Sexual Exploitation of a Child) assessments as needed
• Work with prosecutors to support and prepare youth who may need to provide courtroom testimony or who may speak at sentencings
• Respond to needs of callers to agency hotline by sharing in rotation of daytime hotline shifts
• Provide services to other agency clients (domestic violence and sexual assault) when on call after hours and during the work day, and as otherwise needed.
• Respond to calls on our 24 hour hotline after-hours (weeknights, weekends, and holidays); shared rotation with advocacy team. This includes responding in person to requests for SAFE exam accompaniment or other hospital calls, shelter assessments, safety and security check, and law enforcement accompaniments. In person response to Cayuga Medical Center within 45 minutes is required.
• Assist clients with completion and submission of Office of Victim Services crime victim compensation forms. Provide follow up to the client regarding necessary documentation submission.
• Transportation when necessary to meet client needs
• Perform duties of a mandated reporter of child abuse and neglect
• Develop and maintain appropriate professional communications and working relationships with other service providers and agencies
• Regularly attend and present cases at multi-disciplinary Sexual Abuse Investigation Team meetings
• Attend weekly Advocacy Services meetings
• Attend monthly statewide NYSCA Victim Provider meetings
• Attend Tompkins County Sex Offense Compliance Court

Administrative

• Complete all necessary forms, paperwork and reports – including daily client contacts and any other client data in a timely manner as directed by supervisor

Supervision

• Attend regular supervision meetings with Youth Services Manager
• Participate in performance evaluations with Youth Services Manager
• Inform supervisor of difficult, dangerous and unusual situations

Additional Responsibilities

• Attend in-service training provided by the agency, and conferences/workshops as needed to enhance and develop knowledge and skills
• Attend regular staff meetings and occasional staff and/or team retreats
• Attend selected agency events as requested by supervisor or Executive Director

Responsibilities and tasks outlined above are intended to describe the essential job functions and core requirements for the performance of this job. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements of this position. All staff are expected to perform other reasonable duties as requested by any agency supervisor and/or the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

• One year of counseling, advocacy or case management experience in a human services setting or equivalent experience.
• Experience working with youth a plus
• Ability to develop a positive compassionate rapport with victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
• Ability to provide clear and articulate written information for grant reporting purposes and detailed, accurate data entry.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team, with a willingness to appreciate. different points of view and problem solve in a constructive manner.
• Sensitive to the impact of sexual and domestic violence in diverse communities
• Commitment to social justice issues.
• Commitment to working from an anti-oppression, harm-reduction, and strengths based trauma-responsive approach.
• Good communication, organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks under stressful situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional working relationships.
• Flexible schedule - must be able to work some after-hours evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Must be able to respond in person to Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, NY within 45 minutes.
• Applicants must be able to navigate stairs, periods of sitting. Standing and movement required.
• Vehicle and valid driver's license is required.

Desired

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree and/or any combination of education, experience, and measurable past performance that demonstrates the capability to perform the duties of this position.
• Working knowledge of domestic violence, child sexual abuse, sexual assault and community & legal systems.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.00 - $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Did you submit a cover letter?
• Are you able to respond to Cayuga Medical Center in 45 minutes when you are on call?

Ability to Relocate:

• Ithaca, NY 14850: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person