Victim Advocate

Omaha Tribe of Nebraska•Macy, NE

About The Position

The Victim Advocate is a full-time position coordinating victim services in collaboration with social services, tribal court, law enforcement, probation, and behavioral health. The role works directly with adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, both in and out of shelter. The Advocate provides information and emotional support, helps victims locate resources, and assists with safety and transition planning. The Advocate may accompany victims to court and coordinate connections to direct or supportive services through partner programs and organizations. Once trained, certified, or credentialed, Advocates may staff a crisis hotline, lead support groups, or provide in-person counseling. The role also works with private nonprofit organizations, including sexual assault crisis centers, shelters, and related domestic violence services not available locally. The Victim Advocate/Laura House Advocate oversees planning and implementation of the Omaha Family Violence Program, with primary direct-service duties at Laura’s House domestic violence shelter. The Advocate maintains confidentiality and shelter safety, provides advocacy and accompaniment, and assists residents with shelter routines and needs. The position requires availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including on-call, after-hours, holiday, and weekend coverage. The role provides victim education, emotional support, safety planning, referrals, and help with compensation applications and court or probation comments. It supports victims in accessing shelter and transportation, completing treatment or case-plan goals, and navigating the criminal justice system. The Advocate contributes to community education, prevention and awareness activities, program planning, partnership development, policy and procedure review, system assessment, project evaluation, service documentation, and required reports. The position also maintains service records and data in a computer-based system and reports threats and suspected child abuse or neglect. Indian Preference under P.L. 93-638 and the Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO) will be practiced; all qualified applicants will be considered.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or associate degree preferred; high school diploma or GED accepted.
At least two years of experience working with victims of crime or abuse, or experience in a related field.
Valid driver’s license and ability to be insured.
Understanding of Omaha culture, tribal systems, and tribal referral processes.
Computer skills and public-speaking skills, including the ability to provide community lectures and education on trauma, domestic violence, strengthening families, sexual assault, and stalking.
Ability to work on call and after hours, including holidays and weekends, and to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or associate degree.
Experience working with victims of crime or abuse, or experience in a related field.

Responsibilities

Oversee planning and implementation of the Omaha Family Violence Program.
Provide direct services at Laura’s House domestic violence shelter while maintaining victim confidentiality and shelter safety, including advocacy and accompaniment.
Be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including on-call, after-hours, holiday, and weekend coverage.
Help residents maintain a clean and orderly shelter environment; issue and explain the shelter handbook and assist with meals, laundry, schedules, and appointments.
Provide information about victimization, crime prevention, victims’ legal rights and protections, and the criminal justice process.
Provide emotional support to victims.
Assist victims with safety planning, victim compensation applications, and submitting comments to courts and probation.
Intervene with creditors, landlords, and employers on victims’ behalf.
Help victims find shelter in the surrounding area and arrange transportation.
Refer victims to other services.
Provide group and individual community education, especially on domestic violence, sexual assault, date rape, and stalking.
Serve as a community contact point for victims of violence and participate as a member of the Planning Team in planning and program development.
Work with partner programs and agencies on prevention and awareness activities.
Assist victims in completing treatment and/or case-plan goals, objectives, and activities.
Collaborate on system assessment and project evaluation to identify program strengths and weaknesses and support improvement.
Help create assessment tools to document the number of victims served and services provided.
Develop protocols that promote partnerships and collaborations and clarify their purpose, relevance, roles, and responsibilities.
Lead ongoing review and updates of existing victim-services policies and procedures and develop additional policies or procedures as needed.
Work in partnership with the criminal justice system, including police stations, prosecutor’s offices, courts, probation or parole departments, and prisons.
Report threats that a person may harm themselves or others, and report child abuse or neglect.
Maintain computer-based records and data for reporting and statistical and management-information purposes, including shelter residency days and time spent with each client.
Assist in preparing monthly, semi-annual, and annual reports.
Once trained, certified, or credentialed, potentially staff a crisis hotline, lead support groups, or provide in-person counseling.
Perform other duties as assigned.