Victim Advocate

Make a Difference in the Lives of Children and Families

UPMC Jameson's Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) is seeking a full-time Victim Advocate to join our dedicated team. The Children's Advocacy Center of Lawrence County is a child- and family-focused nonprofit organization committed to supporting children and families impacted by abuse, exploitation, and trauma.

In this meaningful role, you will collaborate with community partners in the development and coordination of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) cases. You will provide specialized advocacy, support, and case management services to youth who have been identified as victims of, or are at high risk for, commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

We are seeking compassionate, trauma-informed professionals with experience working with children and families. Preferred backgrounds include child welfare, victim services, trafficking response, behavioral health, or other trauma-focused settings.

Schedule:

• Monday-Friday, daylight hours

• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required for pre-planned agency events

If you are passionate about empowering vulnerable youth, supporting families through difficult circumstances, and making a lasting impact in your community, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities:

• Advocacy/Accompaniment to forensic interview or medical forensic exam

• Advocacy/Accompaniment to a law enforcement agency

• Assists victims and their non-offending caregivers with understanding the multidisciplinary process

• Assist with addressing the immediate practical problems created by victimization.

• Assistance in helping victims and non-offending caregivers apply for public benefits, return of personal property or effects, obtaining information needed for VCAO claim processing, acting on behalf of the victim with other service providers such as intervention with employer, creditor, landlord, or academic institution

• Assist with special visas, continued presence application, and other immigration relief

• Provides case management services

• Intervention with employer, creditor, landlord, academic institution in an effort to assist victim and non-offending caretakers with explaining absences from work or school due to the crime and financial ramification of the crime to landlord or creditors

• Assist the victim with attending appointments relevant to victimization

• Helps educate families on the forensic services process introducing children/families to MDIT members

• Makes referrals and helps facilitate both natural and community supports

• Consults with the Multidisciplinary Investigative Team members concerning victim needs

• Attends multidisciplinary meetings to review cases and offer victim-centered feedback

• Collaborates with victim serving agencies and community resource providers

• Maintains accurate and timely records along with case tracking

• Participate in meetings, trainings, workshops and supervision

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, human services or related field required.

• Experience in victim services, preferred.

• Fluency in speaking, writing, and comprehension of the Spanish language, preferred.

• Completed or will complete within the first 12-months of employment, Victim Assistance Academy through the National Advocacy Leadership Center. Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Automotive Insurance

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• Clinical Social Worker (CSW)

• Driver's License

• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal

• Act 33 with renewal

• Act 34 with renewal

• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran