Victim Advocate - Bilingual Preferred

Interested applicants should email their resume and cover letter to Rachel Cowgill, Direct Services Supervisor, at rachelc@cvcofcc.org. 

CVC's Victim Advocates provide compassionate support to victims of crime and their families in Chester County. Advocates work both from home and our office in West Chester, PA. All advocates must be able to respond in person during business hours, nights and weekends to locations throughout Chester County in a timely manner both during the work day and when on call nights and weekends. On call shifts vary and are usually one a week and one weekend a month.

Although a Spanish speaking advocate is preferred, we are accepting English speaking applicants as well. Salary for a Bilingual Advocate is $45,000, and Salary for English speaking is $42, 436.

Advocates play a critical role in providing assistance to victims and their families 24/7 by providing on call coverage to CVC’s sexual assault and other crimes on weeknights, weekends and holidays during assigned shifts. This includes responding in person to various locations in Chester County such as hospitals, police departments and potentially crime scenes.

This position will also provide crisis response, supportive counseling, needs assessment, individual goal setting, development of service plans, advocacy, and accompaniment throughout medical, police and court procedures, at hospitals, district courts, courthouses, police stations, CVC offices, crime scenes, or any other place that is necessary to victims and their families.

May conduct victim related activities within the Chester County Children’s Advocacy Center including accompaniment to forensic interviews, legal proceedings and DAO interviews.

They will remain up to date on current information on legislations relevant to victims’ rights and services and provide outreach when available to police departments, District Attorney’s Office personnel, Department of Children Youth and Family personnel and any other CVC partners concerning victims of crime

Our advocates regularly meet with the Direct Services Supervisor for case management, attend team meetings and trainings, and this position requires regular data entry into our client database.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of an Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree preferred, in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or a related field and one year of experience, or the equivalent of same.

2. Training in individual and group counseling and casework supervision.

3. Skill in supportive problem solving, advocacy and crisis intervention.

4. Ability to assume responsibility and make decisions.

5. Knowledge of community resources.

6. Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with staff, volunteers, other agencies and the general public.

7. Ability to express ideas both orally and in writing.

REQUIRED TRAINING/OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Within six months of the appointment to the position, the Victim Advocate must provide evidence of successful completion of the current Sexual Assault Counselor Training Program provided by this agency.

2. Must attend other trainings as mandated by PCAR, PCCD or other funders.

3. Must possess a current valid driver’s license and have the use of an automobile during working hours and when on-call.

4. Will be expected to commute weekly to the West Chester office.

5. Must be able to respond in person within 30 minutes to locations all over Chester County when on call.

6. Must show evidence of proper automobile insurance coverage.

7. A Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, PA Criminal History and FBI Clearance must be obtained upon employment.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid