Advocacy Specialist

Planned Parenthood of Greater New York • Queensbury, NY

4d

About The Position

The Advocacy Specialist assists survivors in addressing the immediate and long-term effects of victimization. The role provides direct services to primary and secondary victims, including crisis intervention, emotional support, case management, referrals, help with victim compensation applications, assistance filing Orders of Protection, and advocacy as survivors navigate medical, legal, and criminal justice systems. The Specialist also serves as a liaison between survivors and other service providers, conducts outreach across the service area, and may support education for youth and adults.

This full-time, community-facing position includes coverage of the Survivor Support Services 24/7 hotline and mandatory after-hours on-call shifts. A flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends, is required. The role involves travel within the region about 50% of the time.

Responsibilities are allocated across direct services (65%), administrative work (10%), community engagement (20%), and volunteer coordination (5%). The position operates in a professional office environment and also requires travel to indoor and outdoor locations for programming and events. During peak activity periods, work may exceed 7.5 hours per day and/or 37.5 hours per week.

Requirements

• Specialized education in social work, psychology, counseling, women’s studies, or a similar field; sufficient human services experience may substitute for academic requirements.
• Experience working in the community and in partnership with external agencies and organizations.
• Valid New York State driver’s license and use of a personal vehicle.
• Ability to travel as required; the role involves regional travel about 50% of the time.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, after-hours on-call shifts, and additional hours during peak activity periods.
• Ability to keep all client information confidential.
• Commitment to PPGNY’s mission related to bodily autonomy, health equity, and gender and racial justice, and to learning about racial equity and its impact on healthcare systems.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, case management, human behavior and needs during crime and crisis, behavioral health, social services, community resources, the criminal justice system, the New York State Criminal Code, and New York State victims’ rights.
• Strong customer service, communication, interpersonal, relationship-building, and teamwork skills, including the ability to build trust across cultural differences and provide compassionate, nonjudgmental, culturally responsive care.
• Ability to remain focused and calm in stressful situations and work effectively with varied personalities and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software and familiarity with Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to manage a caseload and maintain excellent case documentation, including timely submission of records.
• Strong organization and time-management skills; ability to meet deadlines and produce high-quality work in a fast-paced setting with changing or competing priorities.
• Comfort with public speaking and facilitating educational activities and support groups.
• Sound judgment, independent decision-making, problem-solving, critical thinking, and evidence-based clinical judgment skills.
• Ability to work with minimal direct supervision and exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to provide proof of immunization or immunity to specified communicable diseases and tuberculosis testing as required.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual Spanish/English.

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and advocacy services to survivors of interpersonal violence.
• Assist in developing or coordinating supportive activities for individuals and groups.
• Provide medical, criminal justice, and personal accompaniment when requested or needed.
• Staff the 24-hour hotline and facilitate support groups.
• Help develop initial case plans and ongoing advocacy strategies.
• Assist survivors with crime victim compensation applications and filing Orders of Protection.
• Maintain case files and service data, prepare reports and statistical summaries, and meet project objectives specified by grants.
• Maintain DOH Rape Crisis Counselor/Advocate certification through required continuing education.
• Provide office coverage as assigned, attend staff meetings, participate in program planning and evaluation, and perform other duties as assigned.
• Assist the county coordinator in developing and maintaining community-agency relationships.
• Inform community professional groups about services for crime victims, including victims of sexual assault, interpersonal violence, and homicide.
• Implement outreach to raise awareness of crime-victim services and develop cooperative relationships with agencies and organizations.
• Plan and prepare exhibits for community events and assist with event planning and promotion.
• Facilitate sexual assault prevention education for children, adolescents, and adults in schools, colleges, and community-based organizations.
• Assist with recruiting, training, supporting, and evaluating volunteer advocates, and provide volunteers with consultation as needed.
• Protect the confidentiality of client information and follow personnel, safety, and security policies.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage options for employees and eligible dependents.
• Flexible spending account and health savings account options.
• Commuter pre-tax reimbursement funds.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Free basic life and AD&D coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with Safe Harbor contributions after one year of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed