Crisis Center
Job Description
Position: Community Response Advocate
Status: Non-Exempt (Full-Time)
Responsible to: Program Coordinator
Purpose: Provide direct services to survivors of family violence and/or sexual assault and their families. Provide a range of services to residential and non-residential clients. Must be able to exercise discretion and independent judgment. Must work flexible schedule due to on-call situations.
Responsibilities
• Accompany and support victims on-scene
• Understand and advocate Empowerment Based Programing for victims
• Provide information about Crime Victims Compensation and assist victims with completing applications
• Inform victims of their rights before, during and after victimization
• Advocate for victims before, during and after victimization and in conjunction with community partners including law enforcement, CPS/APS, forensic nurses, survivor’s family/friends and other third parties as needed
• Work flexible schedule that includes office hours and on-call hours
• While on-call, respond to all dispatch calls (from shelter) no later than 15 minutes after initial dispatch call received
• Must report on-scene within 60 minutes of receiving initial dispatch and be professional and prepared to support the survivor and represent the Crisis Center
• Provide support and information to the victim and their families/friends on-scene
• Perform needs assessments, address victim’s immediate needs by providing short-term resources as well as on-going and long-term needs by facilitating referrals, case management and legal advocacy to victims
• Provide crisis intervention services on the hotline and/or face-to-face
• Facilitate client’s transportation and accompaniment to appointments as needed
• Facilitate development of achievable, individualized goals, action plans and regularly updated safety plans, coping with stress and conflict resolution, with victims
• Perform wellness checks and safety planning at each point of contact with victims including face-to-face and telephone contact
• Foster a positive working relationship with all Crisis Center staff
• Provide support/educational groups as appropriate
• Attend all required meetings and training sessions
• Assist with recruiting and training advocate volunteers
• Maintain clear and professional boundaries with clients
• Notify Program Coordinator (Supervisor on call) of any violent crisis situation or other incidents
• Support and back-up answering phone
• Promptly complete assignments and documentation for client services
• Compliance with funding contractual obligations
• Other duties as assigned by Program Coordinator and/or Executive Director
Adherence to Crisis Center Policy
1. Employee must demonstrate knowledge of and performance in accordance with the philosophy of compassion, caring and respect of the welfare and dignity of others, including clients of agency, as well as staff and volunteers.
2. Must embody the values of trauma informed care on an agency wide level and perform all duties with a victim centered approach and discipline.
3. Must display a non-judgmental acceptance of all clients/volunteers/staff/co-workers.
4. Maintain professional communication with all staff and clients.
5. Commit to a providing and/or supporting staff in providing empowerment based, voluntary services.
6. Maintain and support a culture of staff wellness by creating a professional rapport in working relationships, displaying appropriate and consistently positive attitude, and remaining composed during stressful situations.
7. Always employ strategies of problem solving and smart, efficient solutions identifying new and improved ways of delivering the highest quality services to agency clients.
8. Ask for assistance when needed.
9. Maintain client and agency confidentiality and client privilege at all times.
10. Maintain knowledge of current family violence and sexual assault laws.
The above job description reflects the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered a complete listing of all work requirements that may be inherent in the position. Additional duties will be added and assigned on an as needed basis
Qualifications
Bachelor degree required, preferable in a social services field or comparable job history. Must demonstrate skills in crisis intervention. Possess sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds, values and beliefs. Ability to be flexible in work schedule due to on-call nature of position. Excellent interpersonal communication and public relation skills. Ability to lift donations (up to 35 pounds). Possess a valid driver’s license and excellent driving record.
This job description is not intended to be all inclusive and the Crisis Center reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. Job descriptions do no constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Work hours and days are subject to change as staffing needs require.