Advocacy Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Advocacy Specialist is responsible for assisting survivors in dealing with the immediate and long-term impact of victimization. Primary duties include providing direct services to primary and secondary victims including crisis intervention, emotional support, assisting survivors with victim compensation applications, assisting in the filing of Orders of Protection, and support and advocacy to survivors that are navigating the medical, legal, and criminal justice systems. This position involves case management, referrals to community resources, and acting as a liaison between survivors and other service providers. The Specialist conducts outreach across the service area and may support education of youth and adults. The Specialist is also responsible for coverage of the Survivor Support Services (SSS) 24/7 hotline which includes mandatory after-hours on-call shifts. Flexibility in work schedule is essential; some evenings and weekends required. This is a full-time community-facing position and involves travel within the region about 50% of the time.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

DIRECT SERVICES (65%)

· Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and advocacy services to survivors of interpersonal violence.

· Assist in developing and/or coordinating supportive activities for individuals and groups.

· Provide medical, criminal justice, and personal accompaniment services when requested and/or needed.

· Provide advocacy services when requested and/or needed.

· Provide direct service duties like staffing the 24-hour hotline and facilitating support groups.

· Help develop initial case plans and ongoing strategies for advocacy.

· Provide assistance in completing crime victim compensation applications.

ADMINISTRATIVE (10%)

· Maintains DOH Rape Crisis Counselor/Advocate certification via successful completion of mandatory continuing education hours.

· Keep service data, create reports about funded projects, and meet other project objectives according to grant specifications.

· Maintain case files.

· Assist in preparing monthly & quarterly statistical reports.

· Provide office coverage as assigned.

· Attend staff meetings and assist in the evaluation of the program.

· Participate in program planning.

· Assist county coordinator in developing and maintaining community-agency relations.

· Perform other duties as assigned within a team-based work environment.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (20%)

· Inform key professional groups in the community about available services for crime victims including sexual assault, interpersonal violence, and homicide.

· Inform and implement outreach plan to raise awareness about and available services for victims of crime in the community.

· Develop cooperative working relationships with other agencies and organizations.

· Plans and prepares exhibits for community events and assists in planning and promotion.

· Facilitate sexual assault prevention education to children, adolescents, and adults in schools, colleges and community-based organizations.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATION (5%)

· Assist in the recruitment, training, and support of volunteer advocates.

· Provide assistance and consultation for volunteers as needed or when requested.

· Participate in volunteer evaluation.

CORE COMPETENCIES

· A demonstrated commitment to PPGNY’s mission related to bodily autonomy, health equity, and gender & racial justice.

· A demonstrated commitment to learning about and enhancing practices related to racial equity and its impact on healthcare systems.

· Strong relationship building and communication skills, including an ability to work and build trust across cultural differences related to related to race, class, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin or ability; and to reflect on one’s personal identity with humility.

· Ability to provide compassionate, non-judgmental and culturally responsive care across race, class, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin or ability; and demonstrates deep sense of accountability to patient experience.

· Knowledge of trauma-informed care, crisis intervention techniques, case management; human behavior and needs at times of crime and crisis; behavioral health, social services, and other community resources; the criminal justice system, NYS Criminal Code, and NYS Victims’ Rights.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

Interpersonal

· Excellent customer service and communication skills

· Ability to remain focused and calm in stressful situations

· Excellent interpersonal and verbal skills

· Ability to develop and maintain effective, professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders

· Ability to work cooperatively with different types of personalities

· Ability to work effectively as part of team

Technical

· Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software

· Familiarity with Microsoft Excel

· Ability to successfully manage a caseload

· Excellent case documentation skills including the timely submission of documentation

Work Habits/Attributes

· Excellent organizational skills

· Comfortable with public speaking and facilitating education and support groups

· Outstanding time management skills, including the ability to work under deadline

· The ability to produce high-quality work in a fast-paced environment with changing and/or competing priorities

· Ability to exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making skills

· Ability to produce reliable, high-quality work with minimal direct supervision

· Ability to exercise discretion in the handling of confidential information

· Ability to demonstrate and document evidence-based clinical judgment

· Ability to work a flexible or extended schedule, including evenings and weekends, as operational demands require

· Well-developed problem-solving and critical thinking skills

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Flexible schedule is necessary to accommodate responsibilities on evenings and weekends.

· Specialized education in social work, psychology, counseling, women’s studies, or similar. Professional human services experience sufficient in scope, depth, and performance may serve in place of academic requirements.

· Experience working in community, and in partnership with external agencies & organizations

· Keep confidential all client information.

· Understand and accept PPGNY’s Personnel Policies.

· Follows all safety and security guidelines.

· Valid NYS Driver’s License with use of personal vehicle is required.

· Ability to travel as required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Bilingual- Spanish/English

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Requires prolonged sitting and repetitive tasks including use of a computer. Periodic standing, walking, bending. Requires lifting or moving of up to 25 pounds of programming or event materials. Must be able to occasionally walk up and down stairs. Visual acuity sufficient to perform frequent work on a computer screen and review printed reports and other materials. Requires the ability to hear and to communicate orally with others. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets, and will require reaching, grasping, pushing and pulling.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

This job operates in a professional office environment. Potential exposure to communicable diseases and other conditions in a health center environment. Requires travel to various indoor and outdoor environments to conduct programming or events. Requires flexible schedule and during peak activity periods work in excess of 7.5 hours per day and/or 37.5 hours per week.