Description Summary: Responsible for the provision of general, medical, and legal advocacy to children, adults and/or families who have experienced trauma. The goal of this position is to assist child, adolescent and adult victims and their non-offending caregivers in reaching understanding and emotional resolution of issues related to their physical and/or sexual victimization.
SUPERVISOR: Executive Director
HOURS/SCHEDULE: Full Time 40 Hours Per Week
8:00 - 4:30 p.m. Generally some varied hours on occasion
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Provides legal advocacy in assisting victims and/or their non-offending caregivers to understand and make informed decisions about civil remedies, the criminal justice system, dependency, and family courts.
o Personal support and assistance in assessing services
o All activities and services will be victim focused and case specific.
o May assist victim or non offending parent/guardian to complete and file protection, no contact and harassment orders, gather information needed for court, coordinate with other service providers, agencies, or programs
o May accompany victim and non-offending caregivers to court, and other related appointments. Explains the legal process, activities may require the victim assistance specialist to accompany the victim to interviews, hearings, trials and sentencing or law enforcement or medical services
o Actively monitors case through legal system.
Provides general advocacy and on-going case management services.
o Personal support and assistance in assessing services
o All activities are victim focused and case specific
o Attends Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings as needed.
o Tracks all data and data entry for NCA trak
o Services may include but not limited to practical help as needed, ongoing repetitive crisis intervention, short term emotional support, case planning, information and referral or arranging for services to enhance recovery (therapy)
o Consults with others (LE, FBI, CPS, Indian Child Welfare, schools, etc.) regarding individual case
o Provides victims and non-offending caregivers with an individual safety plan, information regarding technology safety, including a variety of prevention and awareness materials
o Provides medical advocacy at FACNM
o Provides case by case referrals to therapists
o Provides information about medical care/concerns and follow-up care.
o Personal support and assistance in assessing SA/DV or general crime services
Provides a client centered system of coordinated services in the development of working relationships among programs, and diverse service agencies/providers including networking and coordination with law enforcement and civil/legal system representatives and attending meetings of relevant committees or coalitions as schedule permits.
Promotes attitudes, behaviors and social conditions that will reduce and ultimately eliminate factors that cause or contribute to sexual and domestic violence including but not limited to prevention and community education, resources and activities to schools, local organizations and businesses.
Provides community outreach by developing and maintaining community and public relations, including public speaking as required.
Maintains complete and accurate documentation including, but not limited to, intake files, client files and documents, completed forms, releases, and safety planning.
Greets and directs visitors, clients, and interagency partners.
Additional Duties & Responsibilities:
Ø Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain professional, positive, and effective working relationships with staff, interns, volunteers, and colleagues.
Ø Demonstrates ability to function effectively in an environment that requires flexibility and tolerance of high levels of stress
Ø Demonstrates understanding and application of issues relating to child physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, crisis intervention, case management, and the helping professions.
Ø Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
Ø Fundraising
Ø Travel to and from Brainerd location
Ø Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
- Previous experience working in the arena of victim services in a criminal justice or social service agency
- Considerable knowledge of community resources and services available to victims and families
- Demonstrated life experience, which shows strong empathy for primary and secondary victims, in particular abused children, a desire to improve their quality of life, and commitment to become knowledgeable about effective treatment of victims affected by sexual and physical abuse.
- Must understand the impact of adverse childhood experiences, child development and appropriate interventions.
Education and Experience:
A minimum of a four-year degree in a human service, social, behavioral or counseling discipline from an accredited university is preferred.
Minimum of 2 years work experience in child sexual/physical abuse, sexual assault and/or domestic violence.
A combination of education and work experience may be considered.
Ongoing training is required.
Language skills:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as protection orders, safety plans and general DV/SA documents, procedure manuals, and instructions. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of clients or employees of organizations.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to perform assigned duties with a minimum of supervision; identify problems and implement or recommend solutions; interpret and apply policies and procedures within limits of authority; use tact and discretion; interact effectively with interagency partners, employees, and the general public; learn and adapt to new technology as it relates to office practices and procedures; maintain confidentiality of information; pay attention to detail; work effectively despite interruptions; plan, organize, and prioritize work; proofread documents and other work; use a computer, related software, and other standard office equipment.
Certificates, Licenses Registrations:
o Valid Minnesota State Driver’s License
Qualified applicants must pass a criminal background check, be free of chemical or alcohol abuse for at least two years.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the above is intended to summarize the essential functions of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list of miscellaneous duties and responsibilities that may be requested in the performance of this job.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Pay: From $24.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
