Relief Advocates
Starting wage for this position is $12.00 - 14.00 per hour, depending on education, knowledge, and experience.
Shifts are every other weekend (Saturday and Sunday) 3 pm - 11 pm and every other weekend (Saturday and Sunday) 8 am - 4 pm.
Position Classification: Part-Time
Salary Classification: Non-Exempt
Shifts: Weekends, Holidays and other shifts as needed
Supervisor: Youth Director/Relief Staff Supervisor
Position Primary Purpose: To provide crisis intervention, information and referral, advocacy support, legal advocacy, transportation, accompaniment and follow-up assistance to primary and secondary victims of domestic and sexual violence. To provide education throughout the communities served.
Qualifications: High school diploma or GED necessary. Associates degree preferred. Experience advocating for victims of domestic and sexual violence preferred. Computer skills are necessary. Must successfully complete a criminal history background check.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Working knowledge of direct service programming to victims of domestic and sexual violence.
- Demonstrated ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to facilitate meetings, work independently and cooperatively.
- Strong organizational, critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Strong commitment to the mission, goals, and services of Safe Avenues.
- Skilled in managing crisis situations, and communication of difficult topics.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
- Ability to relate to victims and acceptance of the population served
Responsibilities:
A. Advocates will provide assistance in meeting the self-defined needs of victims of domestic and sexual violence.
Tasks:
- Answer the crisis phone line and triage client needs.
- Help ensure access to 24 hour crisis services for victims.
- Assist victims in planning for their safety and the safety of their children.
- Assist in maintaining provisions for safe emergency shelter for victims.
- Provide information about the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence and available resources and provide referrals that foster self-sufficiency.
- Accompany victims to appointments for resources which aid in ending the violence in their lives and promote healing.
- Coordinate with other agencies to enhance safety for victims and accountability for those who have perpetrated the violence.
- Intervene by making direct contact with service providers when agency personnel fail to meet safety needs victims of domestic and sexual violence.
- Provide information to victims about legal options available to them and assist in completing and filing protective orders.
- As appropriate, promote and assist in reporting to law enforcement
- When appropriate, promote evidentiary exams and support victims through hospital assessment and collection of evidence.
B. The Advocate will assist in completion of grant goals for the program.
Tasks:
- Work with staff to collect and report documentation of service statistics
- Maintain a filing system to keep track of client files, intakes, coding sheets, etc.
C. The Advocate will be an active participant of the Safe Avenues Team.
Tasks:
- Attend all required trainings.
- Attend and participate in Safe Avenues staff meetings and case consultation meetings.
- Seek out and attend trainings that maintain skills and promote methods of providing quality services to victims of domestic and sexual violence.
- Follow all policies and procedures of Safe Avenues.
- Provide support in accomplishing program goals.
- Assist with delivery of community education presentations.
- Participate in at least one Safe Avenues fundraising and/or awareness event.
- Work with Executive Director to complete funding applications and reports.
- Positively interact with individuals, organizations, and system partners to further develop cooperative and collaborative efforts in responding to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and families in need.
- Represent programs, employees, and administrative direction positively.
- Actively seek out supervisor when assistance is needed.
- Communicate with supervisor, other employees, and clientele to pro-actively solve conflict, keep informed, and foster team spirit.
- When exercising duties, consciously consider the welfare of clientele and program.
- Take responsibility for assigned duties and show initiative in seeking additional duties.
- Complete other duties as assigned by Executive Director.
Safe Avenues Is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Equal Opportunity Provider