Advocate

POSITION TITLE: Advocate STATUS: Non-Exempt FT GRADE: 1-2

DEPT: Safety and Wellness/SVSS PROGRAM: Advocacy and Crisis Intervention

Salary: $48600

REPORTS TO: Manager - Advocacy & Crisis Intervention Services

SUMMARY: The Advocate provides the support needed by sexual assault survivors that enables them to

make informed decisions regarding issues which range from reporting of the assault through treatment

choices etc. The Advocate is responsible for providing crisis intervention for the survivors and their

significant others and provides various means of on-going support. The Advocate engages in community

relationships to promote knowledge and collaborations. The Advocate actively supports the promotion of

synergy across YWCA programs and in Racial Justice work.

COLLABORATES WITH: Collaborations exist with the Manager Advocacy & Crisis Intervention

Services; SVSS staff members at the location and at other sites; other YWCA staff members; and

community partners.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

. Direct Services: Participate in the provision of on-call services during the work-day overnight and

weekends. Provide all member services to victims of sexual violence and their non-offending significant

others. Participate in the provision of twenty-four hour telephone and in-person crisis intervention

services. Provide initial and on-going support to members; provide victim referral and advocacy

information by telephone hotline; provide information through medical and criminal justice programs.

Represent the YWCA by maintaining professional standards and ethics.

Community Training & Institutional Advocacy: Develop and implement professional training for medical

criminal justice and social service personnel regarding non-judgmental service provision to victims of

sexual violence. Promote and encourage community sensitivity to sexual assault issues. Conduct

presentations and trainings for community groups and other organizations. Interact with first responders

in the community to develop and to implement victim-centric policies.

Administrative Tasks: Complete required statistical reports. Maintain records for all relevant areas of

direct service and volunteer program.

Volunteer Recruitment Training & Retention: Participate in the coordination and supervision of

volunteer programs including: volunteer recruitment and screening; training development and continuing

education; and scheduling. Maintain volunteer group records; conduct exit interviews as required. Develop

and sustain recognition programs for Volunteers.

NON-ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: May participate in the provision of prevention education through

agency programs. Assist in the planning and implementation of special events and/or programs. May be

required or invited to participate in state-wide coalition meetings.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED: Other duties outside of the responsibilities of the position may be

assigned whether for a project special needs task or other assignment.

QUALIFICATIONS: A minimum of six months to a year of experience working in sexual assault domestic violence stalking or other trauma-related services is required; a longer period of experience is preferred. Previous training in sexual assault and/or related issues is preferred. Experience as an employee or as a volunteer for other nonprofit organization(s) is advantageous.

Demonstrated skills for the position relate to collaboration communication and skilled public speaking

abilities; prior experience in community engagement is advantageous. The Advocate must have the ability

to diplomatically present information and to work effectively with the public; skills in cultural competency

are necessary. Team collaborations require the demonstrated ability to interact with other members of

the work group.

The Advocate must possess the ability to effectively manage shifting priorities and to respond effectively

to crises and changing circumstances. The Advocate must possess a high tolerance for chaos and high stress situations with a service orientation. The role requires highly developed skills in working with victims and family members who are in crisis; the ability to work with a diverse member base with understanding of cultural influencers without judgment is necessary.

EDUCATION REQUIRED: A Bachelors degree preferred from an accredited college or university with a major area of study in social science or behavioral science.

CERTIFICATION(s) REQUIRED: Complete the ICASA forty-hour sexual assault crisis intervention training within ninety days of employment start date (if not completed within the prior two years). Complete sixty hours of adult-specific sexual abuse/assault training within first year of employment (if completed within the prior five years). Complete other continuing education and training as set by YWCA or its funders in addition to undertaking any needed renewal of 40-hr training. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Bilingual (Spanish) preferred. This position will require documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The Advocate must be available for a flexible schedule which includes on-call

shifts during work days overnights and weekends and to travel locally to provide services to members.

The work environment includes offices hospital emergency departments police departments and the

courthouse. The noise level is usually moderate. Movement requirements include walking stooping or

kneeling. There may be a need to reach or to lift objects such as packages or supplies. Communication

needs include seeing hearing and speaking. There will be periods of sitting holding a telephone and

using computers. Work will be completed with individuals small and large groups. Reasonable

accommodations will be made for an incumbent to meet the essentials responsibilities of the position.

WORK SCHEDULE: Monday Friday 8:30am-4:30pm. This position requires the flexibility to work on evenings and weekends. Schedule can vary depending on the needs of the agency and on-call schedule.