Advocate - Overnight Victims Services Part Time

Description

The philosophy of our organization is that all people have the right to live without fear, abuse, oppression, and violence. Our advocacy programs embrace the philosophy that people experiencing violence and/or abuse have the potential to control their lives and can be helped in doing so through support, information, and encouragement. We believe that our organization should model behavior that is nonviolent and uses power responsibly for personal and organizational action and growth.

HOURS: Saturday through Monday, 12:30am to 8:30am

Summary Of Description And Responsibilities:

The Victims Advocate is responsible for all services at the sexual assault exam site and coverage of the crisis line, as well as advocacy and intake assistance that may be needed during the evening hours of 12:30 am to 8:30am at the Shelter.

Duties And Responsibilities:

• Responsible for reflecting on how parts of your identity might give you advantages in the workplace—even if you didn’t ask for them or earn them—while others might experience disadvantages. We ask that you also reflect on how your position and how your power may shift depending on your environment, the people around you, or the institutions at play. The goal of this reflection is to build the awareness and compassion that is needed and expected to create an inclusive workplace.
• Responsible for creating an inclusive environment and behaving in a way that ensures that clients and employees feel: embraced, no matter what their cultural orientations are, respected and valued, engaged and connected to the community, and safe from abuse and harassment.
• Adherence to all federal and state regulations regarding client services, specifically avoiding inappropriate conduct and strictly maintaining client confidentiality.
• Maintain a high level of professional and ethical conduct towards clients, staff and the community.
• Maintain and promote a philosophy of customer service consistent with the goals of DVIS. Be sensitive to client service issues and flexible enough to respond to the needs of individual clients.
• Must be sensitive to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the service population, as well with coworkers.
• Responsible for coordination of services with SANE nurses and law enforcement to provide immediate care for victims of sexual assault.
• Responsible for maintaining a courteous and professional relationship with the SANE nursing staff and law enforcement,
• Responsible for providing hospital advocacy and crisis intervention for clients receiving sexual assault exams, to include driving between assigned location and the hospital.
• Responsible for reporting to work during inclement weather. This position is considered essential personnel.
• Responsible for assisting in answering the crisis line, phone coverage, client intake and meeting client needs during evening hours at the shelter.
• Responsible for calling the VP of Advocacy Services r,, a clinical supervisor, or COPES when client is in danger of hurting themselves or someone else, while providing hospital advocacy.
• Responsible for acting as a mandated reporter and reporting any child abuse to the child abuse hotline, as well providing copies to Vice President of Children’s Programming, VP of Advocacy Services, and Vice President of Safe Shelter Services.
• Responsible for assisting in monitoring status of all survivors’ supplies, clothing, information packets, toiletries, children’s toys, teddy bears at hospital and assist in keeping hospital stocked.
• Responsible for assisting in transporting needed supplies from main office to hospital exam site.
• Responsible for keeping hospital exam site neat and orderly
• Responsible for compiling and labeling victim packets and providing resources for victims at the hospital.
• Responsible for rotating Staff on Call coverage with other designated staff to ensure that Sexual Assault crisis services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Responsible for assisting victims in accessing related agency aid to meet immediate needs.
• Responsible for providing advocacy and referral services to clients at hospital and at shelter.
• Responsible for assisting in training other advocates and staff as needed,
• Responsible for attending All-Staff meetings and departmental meetings as required.
• Responsible for documenting and maintaining client records pertaining to the sexual assault exam as well as client interaction at the shelter.
• Ability to work individually and in a team setting.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Sexual Assault Program Manager and Vice President of Safe Housing.

Tools And Equipment Used:

Personal computer, including word processing software, database knowledge; electronic mail and internet knowledge; copy and fax machines; phone.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment includes office and criminal justice facilities. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet but occasionally noisy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences or equivalent experience in a related field of study.
• Minimum two years experience in a social service setting.
• Experience working with victims of violent crime including familiarity with hospital, police and court procedures pertaining to sexual assault.
• Knowledge of post-traumatic stress and rape trauma syndrome. Skills in active listening and crisis intervention
• A valid Oklahoma driver’s license is required