Advocacy Specialist

Planned Parenthood of Greater New York • Queensbury, NY

21h • $25 - $26

About The Position

The Advocacy Specialist provides direct support to survivors of interpersonal violence, helping address the immediate and long-term effects of victimization. Services include crisis intervention, emotional support, case management, referrals, assistance with victim compensation applications and Orders of Protection, and advocacy as survivors navigate medical, legal, and criminal justice systems. The role also includes accompaniment, hotline coverage, support-group facilitation, and liaison work with service providers.

The Specialist conducts community outreach, builds relationships with agencies and organizations, and may provide prevention education to youth and adults. The position assists with volunteer advocate recruitment, training, and support, and performs administrative duties such as maintaining case files, documenting services, and preparing reports. It is a full-time, community-facing role with regional travel about 50% of the time and mandatory after-hours on-call hotline shifts. A flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends, is required.

Requirements

• Specialized education in social work, psychology, counseling, women’s studies, or a similar field; relevant human-services experience sufficient in scope, depth, and performance 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 travel within the region about 50% of the time.
• Ability to work a flexible or extended schedule, including evenings and weekends, and mandatory after-hours on-call shifts.
• Excellent customer-service, communication, interpersonal, and verbal skills; ability to build effective professional relationships and work cooperatively as part of a team.
• Ability to remain focused and calm in stressful situations and provide compassionate, nonjudgmental, culturally responsive care.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software and familiarity with Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to manage a caseload and produce timely, high-quality case documentation.
• Strong organization, time management, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills; ability to work under deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Sound judgment, independent decision-making, discretion with confidential information, and ability to work with minimal direct supervision.
• Comfort with public speaking and facilitating education and support groups.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, case management, human behavior during crime and crisis, behavioral health, social services, community resources, the criminal justice system, New York State Criminal Code, and New York State Victims’ Rights.
• Commitment to PPGNY’s mission related to bodily autonomy, health equity, gender and racial justice, and learning about racial equity in healthcare systems.
• Ability to build trust across cultural differences and reflect on personal identity with humility.
• Ability to demonstrate and document evidence-based clinical judgment.
• Understand and accept PPGNY’s Personnel Policies; follow applicable safety and security guidelines.
• Provide proof of immunization or immunity to specified communicable diseases, including influenza during flu season and COVID-19, and tuberculosis testing.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual in Spanish and English.

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and advocacy to survivors of interpersonal violence.
• Assist with supportive activities for individuals and groups, and provide medical, criminal justice, and personal accompaniment when requested or needed.
• Staff the 24-hour hotline and facilitate support groups.
• Develop initial case plans and ongoing advocacy strategies.
• Assist survivors with crime victim compensation applications and Orders of Protection.
• Maintain DOH Rape Crisis Counselor/Advocate certification through required continuing education.
• Maintain service data and case files, prepare reports, and meet grant project objectives.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly statistical reports, provide office coverage as assigned, attend staff meetings, participate in program planning and evaluation, and perform other assigned duties.
• Assist the county coordinator in developing and maintaining community-agency relationships.
• Inform community professionals about crime-victim services and implement outreach to raise awareness of available services.
• Develop cooperative relationships with agencies and organizations, and plan or prepare exhibits for community events.
• Facilitate sexual assault prevention education for children, adolescents, and adults in schools, colleges, and community organizations.
• Assist with recruiting, training, supporting, consulting with, and evaluating volunteer advocates.
• Keep client information confidential and follow safety and security guidelines.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage options for employees and eligible dependents.
• Flexible spending account, health savings account, and commuter pre-tax reimbursement funds.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• 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