Job Description

JOB TITLE: Part-time Victim Service Advocate DEPARTMENT: DAC

REPORTS TO: DAC Coordinator

COUNTIES: Lyon, Sioux

BENEFITS: Part-time position (20 hours); Health, Vision & Dental Insurance, Vacation/Sick Leave, Simple IRA, Non-Exempt

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE JOB:

Domestic Advocacy Comprehensive (DAC) advocates provide support, information and referrals for victims of domestic abuse.

AGENCY VALUES:

• Client Centered – Our clients come first. Meeting them where they are in their journey is a priority. We will always carry our mission forward.
• Family – The greatest resource in carrying out our mission is our staff. Our work family positively supports each other and promotes self-care.
• Integrity – Honesty, transparency and accountability guide actions and decisions. Reliability preserves trust among clients and coworkers.
• Resilience – The ability to adjust and push forward in times of great difficulty. Able to identify, validate and address concerns.
• Synergy – Working collectively through positive collaboration. Considerate of others and use time, talent and treasure for the benefit of all. 
• Self-Awareness – Able to communicate personal limits and implement solutions. Positive contributor and empowered through a strong sense of role. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide case management with victims of domestic abuse (DA) in counties served.
2. Guide clients toward self-sufficiency.
3. Connect clients with resources for permanent housing.
4. Help clients maintain permanency through consistent support and help.
5. Administer SPDAT assessment tool.
6. Provide transportation for victims affected by DA.
7. Provide public education about domestic violence and its effects on children and families.
8. Provide support services and court advocacy with DA victims.
9. Provide innovative services.
10. Abide by all FCC policies and procedures, federal and state confidentiality laws.
11. Maintain all documentation required:
12. Collect and maintain statistical data.
13. Timely entry of data into database.
14. Participate in creative outreach efforts and strategic planning.
15. Public speaking.
16. Develop and maintain strong contacts with referral agencies throughout the designated service area and provide clients with information and referrals to outside services for themselves and their relevant family members.
17. Participate in an on-call rotation, if being hired to serve Sioux, Buena Vista, or Clay Counties. An on-call rotation consists of sharing crisis response duties for 7 days at a time as well as rotating Holiday coverage with co-workers. This is typically one week per month.
18. Assist the Director of Victim Services and the Victim Services Coordinator in determining yearly agency goals and implementing active steps to achieve goals.
19. Manage incoming calls, walk-ins, and complete necessary documentation including: service logs, client intakes, assessments, confidentiality and releases of information. Enter this information into the confidential database used in compliance with funding requirements and objectives.
20. Provide in-home services when it is safe.
21. Provide mobile advocacy.
22. Assist clients in filing for Crime Victim Compensation.
23. Adhere to assigned work schedule.
24. Assist the Volunteer Coordinator in identifying and recruiting potential volunteers.
25. Participate in staff meetings and trainings.
26. Maintain a minimum of 60% direct service hours per month.
27. Complete all training requirements and fulfill on-going certification requirements.
28. Adhere to all Family Crisis Centers’ policies and procedures.
29. Assist marketing and development with fundraising efforts, which may include but not limited to, selling raffle tickets, attending vender fairs, and helping at fundraising events.
30. Assist the agency in public awareness efforts and community outreach, including providing presentations and attending community meetings.
31. Other duties as assigned by Division Director.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Respond effectively in crisis and emergent situations and establish a trusting and supportive environment among staff and for victims.
2. Strong crisis intervention skills and ability to work with diverse groups of people.
3. Actively advocate for clients.
4. Able to implement proper boundaries between self and clients.
5. Ability to practice self-care.
6. Maintain client records and ensure client files are current and complete.
7. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials of the criminal justice system, community organizations, service providers, healthcare providers, schools, and the general public.
8. Excellent public speaking, verbal and written communication skills
9. Maintain all ethical and professional standards.
10. Produce work product that meets professional standards of quality, neatness, accuracy, and promptness.
11. Observe strict confidentiality policies regarding all information obtained in course of employment.
12. Excellent leadership and organizational/time management skills (i.e. goal oriented and a self-starter, able to manage multiple projects; work independently, good stress management, etc.)
13. Have basic computer skills and knowledge of programs such as word processing, data bases, spread sheets.
14. Be reliable, dependable, solution-oriented, and able to follow protocol and policies.
15. Travel is required for client appointments, outreach, and meetings throughout service area multiple times per week. Travel may also be required, with possible overnight travel involved, for training that occurs outside of the service area.
16. Willingness to work irregular and flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. B.A. in any human service-related field or equivalent. Professional and personal experience may substitute for educational requirements.
2. Must be able to pass criminal and child/dependent adult abuse background checks.
3. Must clear Sex Offender Registries.
4. Previous employment or volunteer work in human services, community agencies, or other related nonprofit or social change organizations a plus.
5. Must possess valid driver’s license and have adequate motor vehicle insurance
6. Once hired, successfully complete a mandatory 20-hour victim counselor training.
7. Once hired, complete the Iowa Domestic Violence Victim Counselor Certification within 6 months of employment.

FCC is an equal opportunity employer. FCC is fair and impartial in all of its relations with its employees and applicants for employment and makes all employment related decisions without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status, parental responsibility, language, national origin, age, health status (including HIV-positive), physical or mental disability, or any other categories protected by federal, state, or local law.