Outreach Victim Advocate

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Outreach Victim Advocate Effective

Department: Community Outreach

Schedule: FT, M-F, 8-5

FLSA Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt

Supervisor: Outreach Victim Advocate Coordinator

About Harmony House

Harmony House provides shelter, advocacy, and education to domestic violence survivors. In addition to our emergency shelter, prevention education, and outreach programs, Harmony House partners with Springfield Police Department, Republic Police Department, and Greene County Family Justice Center to support domestic violence victims as early as possible in multiple locations. We believe robust, wrap-around support services have the most impact on victims long-term, helping them to break free of domestic abuse.

JOB SUMMARY

Embedded with the Springfield Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit, this Outreach Victim Advocate position will be an integral member of the team and is dedicated 100% of time toward crisis intervention, personal advocacy, information & referral, safety planning, and court support to primary victims of domestic violence, as referred to Harmony House by the Springfield Police Department. This position is housed at the Greene County Family Justice Center with the Springfield Police Department Domestic Violence Unit.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed, confidential advocacy and support services to all primary victims of domestic violence crimes who have reported a crime or are considering reporting a crime with a law enforcement agency.
• ·Advocate for victims with law enforcement, which includes but is not limited to attending case review discussions and law enforcement interviews, supporting victims when filing police reports, providing information to victims about the criminal justice process, and other related law enforcement advocacy, while upholding legal confidentiality obligations.
• Inform victims of their Crime Victims’ Rights and assist with MOVANS, Crime Victims’ Compensation and Safe at Home applications.
• Develop safety plans, as needed.
• Provide immediate crisis intervention, as needed.
• Provide assistance with obtaining support services needed by victims and make referrals to the appropriate community resources.
• Assist victims with applications for ex partes and orders of protection and attend court with victims as a support-person, as requested.
• Maintain high-level collaboration and communication with law enforcement and other multi-disciplinary team members as permitted under state and federal confidentiality statutes.
• Coordinate with on-site partners at the Greene County Family Justice Center to provide wrap-around services to victims.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of all service information, in accordance with funding source requirements, Harmony House policies, and state and federal confidentiality statutes.
• Protect client confidentiality at all times, as dictated by state and federal statutes and Harmony House policies and protocol.
• Follow all safety and security policies, as outlined in Harmony House policies and protocol.
• Complete 48 hours of domestic violence and sexual violence training within the first year of employment and eight hours annually thereafter.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to accurately type data on a computer.
• Must be highly organized and detail oriented.
• Ability to exercise discretion for maintaining confidentiality of staff and client’s information.
• Ability to maintain meticulous records for grant audit reviews to ensure grant compliance.
• Ability to use a copy machine to duplicate information for grant records and client files.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and work independently as well as part of a team.
• Positive attitude and ability to be flexible.
• Must have compassion, tolerance, and ability to assist in crisis situations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and/or commensurate experience in social/human services.
• Previous experience working with domestic violence survivors or in human services preferred.
• Thorough understanding of victim issues, including training in the area of victimology, crisis intervention, dynamics of victimization, and trauma informed approaches.

Physical Requirements

• Performs bending, squatting, sorting, kneeling, and reaching to ground level and overhead as required for tasks as retrieving files.
• Ability to lift, grasp, carry, push, or pull up to 15 pounds.
• Ability to climb stairs while carrying objects up to 10 pounds in weight.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, hand-eye coordination, and ability to focus.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, and use hands/fingers/arms to perform repetitive movements.
• Must be able to move safely inside and outside a building.
• Must be able to hold and grip objects.
• May be subject to sitting for long periods of time.
• Visual ability sufficient to operate a computer.
• Hearing ability sufficient to communicate in person and by telephone.

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

• Conscientious: carefully and thoroughly does their job, being very particular. Does not neglect any aspect of their job or do things carelessly. Takes pride in work.
• Initiative: self-motivated. Begins actions without having to be told to do so.
• Organized: arranges environment in a systematic manner to achieve objectives.
• Stress Handler: able to handle mental tensions, pressures, urgencies and important situations. Able to handle more than one important and urgent thing at a time.
• Verbal/Nonverbal Communication: expresses self in a positive manner and interchanges thoughts, information and feelings orally. Is considerate, courteous, respective, and well-mannered.
• Agreeableness: has a great deal of interest in other people, feels empathy and concern for other people, enjoys helping and contributing to the happiness of other people, assists others who are in need of help.

Other

1. MUST have a current/valid driver’s license and current/valid motor vehicle liability. Harmony House does NOT provide insurance coverage for the employee’s liability while using personal autos on agency business.

2. MUST pass criminal background checks.

3. MUST pass a 5-panel drug test.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $19.28 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Springfield, MO 65802 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Springfield, MO 65802: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19