Victim Advocate

Sac and Fox Tribe of Iowa•Tama, IA

11h•Onsite

About The Position

The Victim Advocate position within Meskwaki Family Services is responsible for providing direct services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. This role involves recruiting, training, and managing volunteers who assist victims, as well as informing victims about available legal services for their protection, safety, and support. The advocate will also refer victims to various community agencies and resources, including shelters, job training programs, and family counseling. A key responsibility includes transporting clients to essential appointments such as medical, legal, law enforcement, and court. The position requires providing crisis intervention to address both immediate and long-term needs of victims, and coordinating/facilitating educational support groups for survivors. Additionally, the advocate will assist clients by providing information about the criminal justice system and conduct public education on safety and planning related to domestic violence and sexual assault. The role also involves attending relevant conferences and workshops, assisting child welfare social workers in cases involving domestic violence and sexual assault, and preparing required reports for grants. Needs assessment and research to further develop domestic violence and sexual assault programs are also part of the duties. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Requirements

Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice, Counseling, Public Health, Social Work, Psychology or related field and some personal or professional experience with advocacy or case management, family violence intervention, counseling, and/or crisis intervention OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Must possess a valid driver's license.
Willingness to learn and incorporate skills in the cultural context of the Meskwaki community.
Must submit to and successfully complete a background investigation.
Must have strong oral and written communication skills and positive interpersonal relationships skills.
Must be willing to be on call some evenings and weekends with a rotating crisis line.
Must be proficient in computer skills such as word processing, spreadsheet, internet, email, etc.
Must be willing and able to travel.

Nice To Haves

Preferred Bachelor's Degree
Willingness to participate in certification trainings with Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Experience in grant writing and reporting is desirable.

Responsibilities

Provide direct services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Recruit, train, and maintain a group of volunteers who work as advocates with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Provide victims information on legal services available for their protection, safety, and support.
Refer victims to community agencies and other resources such as shelters, job training, and family counseling.
Transport clients to and from necessary appointments including medical, legal, law enforcement, court, etc.
Provide crisis intervention to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault addressing immediate and long-term needs.
Coordinate and facilitate educational support groups for survivors.
Assist clients through and provide information of the criminal justice system.
Provide public education through public speaking and other means on safety and planning related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and related issues.
Attend conferences and workshops related to domestic violence and sexual assault.
Assist child welfare social workers in cases involving domestic violence and sexual assault.
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, as required for grant.
Assist needs assessment and research necessary to further develop the domestic violence and sexual assault programs.