Victim Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY :

The Victim Advocate is responsible for providing comprehensive trauma-informed

advocacy and case management services for adult survivors of domestic violence, sexual

violence, and human trafficking through New Life Center's Outreach Department.

This position has multiple locations to include New Life Center Shelter, New Life Center's

Sunshine Healing Services, and in the community based on the survivor's needs.

The goal of this position is to provide trauma-informed, survivor-led supportive services to

primary and secondary survivors. The services offered at New Life Center promote healing,

community, and empowerment. The Advocate position upholds New Life Center's mission,

vision, and core values of compassion, resilience, equity, and community.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Supervision - None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Direct Services

1. Provides trauma-informed advocacy and case management for survivor participants.

2. Provides culturally relevant services to all survivors and their families, including women,

men, children, LGBTQ+, and survivors of diverse ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds.

3. Facilitates survivor support groups and activities.

4. Works collaboratively with community partners to provide holistic healing options and

culturally specific healing modalities to survivors at Sunshine Healing Services.

5. Provides information, referral and assistance related to victim rights.

6. Accompanies survivors when interacting with members of the legal system, including law

enforcement, courts, and prosecutors. This includes law enforcement coordination if / when

a survivor wishes to file a police report.

7. May provide transportation to and from court hearings and other legal-related

appointments when necessary and appropriate.

8. Assists with victim advocacy / accompaniment to emergency medical care and / or medical

forensic examinations.

9. Assesses level and history of violence experienced and aids in the development of a safety

plan for survivors.

10. Assesses survivor's immediate needs and develops a case plan with referrals to services

which align with the survivor's goals.

11. Provides information and referrals to legal aid agencies and / or agencies specializing in

immigration, child abuse, elder abuse, and / or disabilities.

12. Documents all survivor and community services rendered in appropriate database(s)

timely, accurately, and completely.

13. Tracks and monitors service performance at least weekly and provides written and / or oral

reports, as requested, on performance strengths and needs in weekly program meetings

and / or during regularly scheduled supervision.

14. Assist in other programs as needed.

Community Outreach

1. Participates in agency-wide awareness and / or initiates awareness and outreach events

throughout Maricopa County.

2. Participates in agency-wide events, trainings, and educational seminars.

3. Participates in multi-disciplinary team meetings to make meaningful contributions.

4. Cultivates relationships with community partners and allied professions with the goal of

facilitating a coordinated community response to domestic violence, sexual assault, and

human trafficking.

5. Lends creativity and skill to enhance agency outreach.

6. Participates in local efforts to improve the community's response to domestic violence,

sexual assault, human trafficking.

Agency Management

1. Assist with program service delivery in all New Life Center's programs including outreach,

emergency shelter and the children's development center.

2. Participates in and contributes to staff meetings, staff committees, and special events for

staff.

3. Participate as an active team member of the Outreach Department Team including

attending department meetings and coordinating services with Child / Youth Advocates,

Lead Advocates, and Family Case Manager and Housing Specialist.

4. Communicate emergencies, survivor concerns, and organizational needs to the designated

on-call staff member or appropriate member of the leadership team.

Other

1. Participate in the culture of cooperation and collaboration among New Life Center staff,

interns, and volunteers.

2. Support and adhere to all policies regarding participant and program confidentiality.

3. Ensure the regular use of releases of information (ROIs) when coordinating services with

outside partner agencies on behalf of children, youth, and / or families.

4. Actively contribute to New Life Center's trauma informed philosophy.

5. Keep current on issues of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking

including seeking out appropriate training opportunities.

6. Participate in scheduled agency-wide meetings and events as assigned.

7. Represent New Life Center, at relevant external task forces, work groups, trainings, and

events as assigned.

8 Perform other duties as needed.

COMPETENCIES

1. Demonstrated ability to remain calm in crisis situations, work independently and

cooperatively, recognize personal limitations, and relate positively and with empathy to all

persons regardless of age, race, creed, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

2. Maintain professional conduct and boundaries consistent with ethical professional practice

and the policies and procedures of the agency.

3. Maintain a professional demeanor and positive working relationships with internal and

external team members, stakeholders, and community and business partners.

4. Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communications skills.

5. Regular and consistent attendance.34. Excellent presentation skills.

6. Strong attention to detail and ability to follow-through with tasks.

7. Effective time management and ability to prioritize and re-prioritize tasks in a fast-moving

environment.

8. Highly proficient with computers and software including Microsoft Office and Google Suite.

Physical Demands

Occasionally : driving, lifting up to 50 lbs with or without assistance and climbing.

Frequently : walking, bending, standing, sitting, stretching / reaching, hearing / seeing, exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious disease, exposure to hazardous material, hand / finger dexterity

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED

1. Any combination of education and / or experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in social

work, women and gender studies, social justice, counseling, or related field, and one or more

years' experience within a human trafficking, domestic violence and / or sexual violence

program / agency.

2. Demonstrated expertise in the areas of sexual violence, domestic violence, and human

trafficking.

3. One or more years of experience in survivor advocacy and / or case management.

4. Valid Arizona driver's license and insurance.

5. Currently possess, or ability to successfully obtain Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance

6. CPR / 1st Aid Certified.

7. Negative TB test required.

8. COVID-19 vaccination or approved exemption.

• If necessary, New Life Center will complete these areas of qualification during the onboarding process.

PREFERRED

1. Bachelor's or master's degree in social work, women and gender studies, social justice,

counseling, or a related field.

2. Two or more years of experience working with victims' domestic violence, sexual assault,

and / or human trafficking.

DISCLAIMER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of

work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be

interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications

required of employees assigned to this job.