Victim Advocate B

Bay Area Turning Point Inc.•Webster, TX

About The Position

Victim Advocate B provides direct support to victims of domestic and sexual violence. The role assists clients in setting and achieving recovery goals, identifying victim-assistance needs, and connecting with resources and referrals, including counseling, legal services, and medical intervention. The position is scheduled for 40 hours per week, with flexibility to work non-traditional hours. The stated schedule is Sunday off; Monday 10:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; and Friday 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. The position provides advocacy and crisis-response services to domestic-violence and sexual-assault victims, including hotline support, safety planning, referrals, legal advocacy, accompaniments, and help accessing shelter and other services. The advocate also assesses client and family needs, makes referrals for children ages 0–8 to the Early Childhood Resiliency Program, maintains service records, and coordinates with supervisors and community resources.

Requirements

Minimum of a four-year degree or four years of comparable experience.
Pass a criminal background check, motor vehicle report, and reference checks.
Have a clean driving record, personal automobile insurance coverage, be insurable, and have at least three years of verifiable driving experience.
For drivers over age 25, have no more than two moving violations in a three-year period; for drivers ages 21–25, have no more than one moving violation in a three-year period.
Be at least 21 years of age.
Provide proof of and maintain personal automobile insurance coverage.
Be able to lift, carry, or move a minimum of 40 pounds for an extended distance.
Have computer knowledge, including Microsoft Office Suite.
Demonstrate critical-thinking skills to assist with in-the-moment issues or crises.
Demonstrate sensitivity regarding family violence and sexual assault and the ability to remain calm in crises.
Adhere to Bay Area Turning Point’s Confidentiality Policy and the agency’s Mission Statement of Philosophy.
Be knowledgeable about community resources.

Responsibilities

Provide direct advocacy, assistance, and follow-up to victims and secondary victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, including crisis intervention, legal advocacy, victim accompaniments, workshops, safety planning, CVC applications, VINE setup and information, protective-order assistance, and information and referrals.
Meet grant objectives and goals, including dedicating 50% of work time to Sexual Assault Services and serving domestic-violence and sexual-assault clients in the stated proportions.
Conduct initial assessments for families requesting nonresidential services and identify interest in and connections to BATP’s Early Childhood Resiliency Program.
Refer clients for counseling and medical intervention, with a focus on children ages 0–8 and referrals to BATP’s Early Childhood Resiliency Program.
Assess client needs and provide individual support, advocacy, referrals, safety planning, transportation, help filing charges and completing victim impact statements, court attendance, and follow-up.
Assist residential and nonresidential clients with identifying and meeting their needs, including safety planning and developing service plans.
Provide crisis intervention and assistance to victims through the 24-hour crisis hotline and face-to-face services.
Maintain accurate documentation and records of advocacy services provided to clients.
Rotate with staff on the on-call schedule for emergency accompaniment.
Consult with the supervisor about critical situations.
Rotate in providing non-emergency accompaniments to court, medical, and law-enforcement agencies.
Assist clients in obtaining safe refuge from abusers by offering shelter assistance.
Assist with client awareness events for domestic violence and sexual assault.
Perform other duties as assigned.