Victim Advocate

Job Title: Victim Advocate

Reports to: Victim Services Coordinator

Program Area: Violence Prevention

FLSA Code: Full time, Exempt

Hours: 40-hour workweek; including some night and weekend work when on call

Location: Men’s Center. 402 N. St. Louis Ave. Chicago, IL 60624

Position Summary

The Victim Advocate manages a caseload of participants who have been directly or indirectly affected by street violence, providing case management, crisis intervention, support, and advocacy. They collaborate with street outreach teams and other service providers to connect individuals and families impacted by violence with appropriate community services and support. The role responsibilities include responding to crime scenes, visiting victims’ homes, hospitals, and other healthcare settings to establish connections and offer assistance.

Essential Responsibilities / Functions

• Identifies and develops relationships with at risk individuals within target community
• Provide direct case management and emergency support services to victims of violence and their families.
• Provide support and advocacy to the victims of violence and their families through home visits, phone calls, criminal justice advocacy, and referrals to other support organizations
• Coordinate and facilitate educational forums, family and group support sessions, trainings and other gatherings
• Develop and maintain relationships with partner organizations and build “warm referral” network for linkage
• Document and maintain client contacts and services provided and assist program manager with data collection and required reporting
• Assist victims in accessing resources
• In conjunction with victims, identify and address safety concerns and create a safety plan for long term safety and well−being.
• Monitors cases by verifying participants' attendance; observing and evaluating activities and responses; advocating for needed services; identifying and connecting to additional resources; intervening in crises; and providing personal support.
• Maintains participants' records by inputting case notes, assessments, and events daily in online data system
• Communicates participants' progress by engaging in weekly interdisciplinary meetings and evaluations, disseminating results and obstacles to team and family, and identifying program influences.
• Develops partnerships with resources that will strengthen support for participants and hold partners accountable as needed
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  
  

Demonstrated Values

• Independently follows agency policy and procedures
• Follows through with commitments including meeting established timelines
• Identifies and resolves difficult issues
• Project a professional image to all internal and external customers ensuring proper grooming
• Promote customer care through all actions and behaviors
• Works effectively with diverse staff, communities and population served
• Maintain a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy during stressful situations.
• A passion for the mission of Breakthrough
  
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred in a Human Services field OR minimum of three (3) years’ experience of case management or related experience OR a combination of related college coursework and related work experience.
• Experience supporting and working with victims and/or their family of gun violence.
• Trauma informed trained
• Familiarity with the concepts of Restorative Justice practices.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license along with daily access to a vehicle and acceptable driving record.
  
  
  

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of program outcomes and deliverables
• Ability to relate well to and coordinate with the people being served, solve problems, communicate effectively, gather and analyze data and make concise, accurate reports, and recommendations
• Must have the ability to use initiative, discretion and independent judgment in making decisions.
• Must be able to develop and manage a team to achieve stated goals
• Must be able to develop and sustain relationships with external stakeholders
• Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, professionalism, and problem solving ability
• Promote hospitality through all actions and behaviors
• Project a professional image to all internal and external customers ensuring correct grooming
• Ability to display a warm, supportive attitude toward all people
• Knowledge of Chicago and communities with histories of violence
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable using computer programs to track participant engagement
• Ability and commitment to maintain high level of confidentiality
• Crisis intervention training or knowledge
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and follow through, and be comfortable working in a changing environment
• Demonstrate willingness to consistently improve work performance through their relationship and guidance
• Must possess an accurate and informed understanding of cultural and urban realities, especially as related to youth, families, poverty, and community development.
• Ability to develop strong relationships with diverse groups of citizens, who may have conflicting interests and opinions.
  
  
  

SUPERVISION

• Direction received from the Victim Services Coordinator.
• Does not supervise employees
  
  
  

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in a an office located in a multi-purpose facility and/or outdoors and thus will be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be high depending on the activities in the facility.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk and/or sit; use hands and fingers to feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; regularly talk or hear. The employee must be able to bend, stoop, pull, lift as well as have overhead extension of arms. Must be able to stand for long periods of time; be able to lift, carry or move at least 50 pounds. Must adhere to proper handling and lifting techniques. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equipment Used

The employee will generally use general office equipment including but not limited to telephone, computer, calculator, copier, overhead projector, paper shredder, paper cutter, and filing systems.

Safety Requirements

Prior to the first day of work, must complete a criminal background and sex offender clearance

Benefits

• Medical - We offer group medical benefits through UnitedHealthcare to full-time employees. You have the option of choosing between a PPO or HMO plan. We pay the full cost of an employee single coverage. There is a cost per pay period for coverage for family (i.e., employee plus spouse; employee plus child(ren) or employee plus spouse and child(ren).
• Dental – We offer group dental benefits through UnitedHealthcare to full-time employees. You have the option of choosing between a PPO or HMO. This is an employee paid benefit.
• Vision - We offer group vision benefits through UnitedHealthcare to full-time employees. This is an employee paid benefit.
• Life - Through UnitedHealthcare, we offer full-time employees term life insurance to the employee’s family in case of death. The cost of this benefit is paid fully by the organization.
• Short and long-term disability - If you become disabled, UnitedHealthcare provides both short-term and long-term disability insurance to full-time employees. The cost of this benefit is paid fully by the organization.
• 401 (k) Plan - We offer a 401(k) plan which is a tax-deferred annuity to assist full-time employees in planning for retirement. We match 50% of your contribution up to a total of 3% of your base salary.
• Section 125 Plan (FSA) - Through TASC, we allow full-time employees to make contributions toward premiums for medical insurance, out-of-pocket medical expenses, dependent care expenses, and/or transit and parking on a “before tax” rather than an “after tax” basis.
• Vacation Days - Full-time employees in this position are eligible to accrue vacation days at a rate of 6.67 – 13.33 days per month based on tenure with the organization.
• Personal Days - Full-time employees in this position are eligible for up to 3 personal days annually, pro-rated in year one.
• Sick Days - Full-time employees in this position are eligible for up to 10 sick days annually, pro-rated in year one.
  
  
  

Compensation

$45,000-$50,000/annually