Family Advocate Specialist I/II/III

City of Abilene • Abilene, TX

4d

About The Position

Under general direction of the Division Manager – Child Advocacy Center, provides crisis intervention and support services to child abuse victims and non-offending caregivers. This position coordinates mental health services and provides information about the criminal and civil law systems.

Requirements

• Knowledge of: Community resources for families in need, vicarious trauma, child abuse and its impact on family dynamics, and child development.
• Child Advocacy Center/Multidisciplinary Team Model, role of interagency partners, and laws and statutes related to child abuse and joint investigations.
• Mental Health advocacy and assessment.
• Grant applications and reports.
• Skill to: Maintain a high level of confidentiality and handle sensitive information and situations.
• Communicate professionally orally and in writing.
• Actively listen, analyze details, assess needs, and document accurately.
• Effectively use Microsoft Office, Excel, and operate a computer, standard office equipment, and digital interviewing system.
• Conduct small group presentations and tours of the CAC.
• Ability to: Adjust to change with a positive attitude and manage significant emotional stress.
• Accurately enter data in the case tracking system, and create reports, forms, and presentations.
• Stay organized and manage time well.
• Read and apply research to daily work.
• Facilitate professional meetings.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
• Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
• Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
• Knowledge of: Grant applications and reports.
• Skill to: Conduct professional large group presentations.
• Read and understand complex instructions, laws, and statutes and practically apply information to CAC operations.
• Manage high stress situations, think critically, and resolve problems.
• Ability to: Complete reports without supervision by required deadlines.
• Knowledge of: CACTX/NCA Accreditation.
• Background check requirements, timeframes, and process.
• Strategic plan, timeframes, and method for monitoring progress.
• Case tracking system.
• Skill to: Provide technical training to staff for computer-based case tracking system.
• Ability to: Interact with interagency senior management professionals.
• Confront issues in a respectful manner.
• Serve as a subject matter expert.
• Three (3) years of social service experience or one (1) year of experience with a Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is preferred.
• A Bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, or related field is preferred.
• A valid Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment is required, or a military waiver is required.
• Six (6) years of social service experience is preferred.
• Three (3) years of experience with a Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is required.
• Ten (10) community awareness presentations are required.
• 40 hours of online basic victim advocacy training and 16 hours of advanced victim advocacy training through continuing education opportunities is required.
• Nine (9) years of social service experience is preferred.
• Six (6) years of experience with a Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is required.
• Conducting three (3) CAC community awareness presentations each year is required.
• Applying for grants and submission of grant reports is required.
• 40 hours of online basic victim advocacy training and 32 hours of advanced victim advocacy training through continuing education opportunities is required.
• HIPAA Compliance training is required within sixty (60) days of employment.
• Physical, mental, and emotional health is vital for success in a work environment with daily exposure to information and images of the abuse of children, emotional caregivers, and stressful/tense situations.
• Ability to work in a standard office environment.
• Ability to travel for training purposes and court advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for providing crisis intervention, crisis stabilization, and support services to victims of child abuse and non-offending caregivers.
• Creates a psychologically and physically safe environment that is sensitive to a child’s cognitive, emotional, and physical development.
• Administer standardized diagnostic assessments to inform individualized treatment planning.
• Conduct comprehensive evaluations of client risk factors and collaborate with multidisciplinary team partners to develop and implement safety plans.
• Collaborate with CAC Victim Services Specialists to ensure comprehensive services are established for clients.
• Provide oversight of quality assurance processes for advocacy-related data entry.
• Collect, evaluate, and analyze data to identify client needs and measure the effectiveness of services provided.
• Respond to the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) after-hours for emergency cases for advocacy or crisis intervention services.
• Coordinate services with law enforcement, DFPS, District Attorney’s Office, Hendrick Medical Center, and other community agencies.
• Function as a liaison between members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Obtain case information from interagency partners and document information into the case tracking system.
• Function as a liaison and coordinate services with the CAC Mental Health Counselor and Regional Victim Crisis Center.
• Assist with the completion of CAC intake paperwork and the crime victim compensation applications and assist with grant paperwork and report submissions.
• Provide court preparation and support for victims in the advocate role.
• Conduct regular follow-up calls to non-offending caregivers to provide support, information, and referrals until criminal and civil cases are closed.
• Participate in ongoing training as it relates to child abuse, criminal investigations, child protective services, advocacy, community resources, legal system, forensic interviewing, volunteer coordination, and city values.
• Apply current research relevant to advocacy.
• Respond to community members who make inquiries, provide tours of the CAC, manage donations, and maintain storage areas.
• Participate in community awareness activities as scheduled.
• Routinely drive a personal vehicle for court preparation and meetings with interagency partners.
• Drive a rental vehicle for out-of-town trainings, meetings, or court hearings.
• Assist with site visits, accreditation process, and protocol revision.
• Conduct community awareness presentations throughout the year.
• Apply for grants and submit reports as requested.
• Create agendas as requested, present reports, and participate in CAC Board meetings as requested.
• Submit background check requests for board members, and volunteers.
• Assume Site Administrator role for the case tracking system, monitor accuracy of data, and provide ongoing training to CAC staff.
• Assist with a strategic plan and monitor progress.
• Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level