Victim Advocate

Western Slope Center for Children•Grand Junction, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Western Slope Center for Children is a non-profit child advocacy center that provides a child-friendly environment for children to share their experiences with a multidisciplinary team. The center's core services include victim advocacy and support, forensic interviews, medical examinations, mental health treatment, and prevention education. The Victim Advocate role is a full-time position focused on providing initial and ongoing services and support to victims of abuse/assault or witnesses to violence, from case inception to final resolution.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, sociology, criminal justice, or other applicable human services field of study; a combination of work experience and education may be considered.
Completion of an Initial 24-hour Victim Advocacy training (can be completed upon hire).
Ability to be flexible with work schedule as needed.
Ability to be a team player who collaborates with individuals inside and outside the organization.
Computer skills and experience with data entry systems.
Initiative and the ability to stay on task.
Excellent Interpersonal skills.
Excellent Oral and written communication skills.
Workplace professionalism.
Must be able to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.
May occasionally move objects of up to 50 pounds, use a step ladder, and kneel/bend under objects.
Must have clear vision at 20 inches or less and able to focus on a screen for up to 8 hours.
The ability to speak clearly and distinctly and hear conversations in-person, via phone, or web-based platforms are a must.
Must be able to work under time-sensitive demands while always providing outstanding service.
The ability to evaluate needs and find innovation and creative solutions in a high stress, fast-paced environment.
The ability to manage multiple projects often with conflicting deadlines and priorities.
Pass fingerprinting and background checks prior to hire.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual (Spanish).
Experience with providing child abuse related education to children, youth, and adults.
Knowledge of child abuse & neglect issues and child development.
Knowledge of legal, social, and developmental aspects of working with children.
Specialized training in victim advocacy.

Responsibilities

Attend and complete initial minimum 24 hours of Victim Support and Advocacy training.
Attend and participate in ongoing training in the field of Victim Support and Advocacy.
Coordinate and/or provide for a comprehensive "constellation of services" for child victims and family members.
Administer and evaluate trauma screeners with caregivers as part of a crisis assessment and intervention response.
Assess child and family needs on a case-by-case basis, providing appropriate referrals in response, from case inception through resolution.
Attend child and family's forensic interview/medical exam, providing supportive services to the non-offending caregiver(s)/guardian(s) to include: Access & education regarding victim's rights and crime victim compensation; Procurement of concrete services as needed; Assist in facilitating transportation to interviews, medical exams, court appointments, and trauma treatment.
Provision of case status updates to family via ongoing follow up and court education & support as needed.
Maintain strict confidentiality standards, assisting the non-offending caregiver with the completion of information releases (ROIs) in circumstances where required.
Participate and present at monthly Case Review meetings.
Participate in and present at weekly case staffings regarding client referrals and/or needs.
Participate in coordinated case management meetings with other VA service providers.
Present community-based education regarding victim advocacy and/or Center services.
Research and identify new resources to support child and family needs as they arise.
Update relevant organization database(s) after each client interaction.
Provide victim advocacy & support services to adult victims of sexual assault seen through the agency.
Assist in maintaining facility cleanliness and orderliness for all clients.
Assist in processing and storing donations in a timely fashion.
Ensure child/client safety and oversight during their visit to the facility.
Respond to community, client, and partner inquiries (calls, emails) and facility visits (doors).
Administer and track the organization's Outcome Measurement System (OMS) surveying for client satisfaction.
Perform all other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.