Victim Advocate - SAF Shelter (overnights Sunday - Wednesday)

$36,067 - $36,067/Yr

Oswego County Opportunities - Oswego, NY

Full-time - Entry Level

Oswego, NY

1-10 employees

Social Assistance

About the position

The Victim Advocate at Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. is responsible for providing direct services to victims of domestic and/or sexual violence and other crimes. This role primarily operates out of the SAF shelter and involves crisis intervention, supportive counseling, and advocacy for individuals and families experiencing victimization. The position requires collaboration with various service providers and community support agencies to assist clients in accessing necessary services and resources.

Responsibilities

• Provides crisis intervention, supportive counseling, advocacy, and solution-focused decision-making to individuals and families experiencing victimization via the crisis hotline and/or assigned site.
• Works in collaboration with a wide variety of service providers and community support agencies to engage consumers and assist them in connecting to needed services.
• Acts in a primary role for the evening and weekend on-call crisis hotline; provides crisis intervention, supportive counseling, advocacy, and solution-focused decision-making to individuals and families experiencing victimization; directly manages crisis situations.
• Works in collaboration with the management team to support Advocacy staff with functions of the program.
• Assists with and documents services provided to clients.
• Informs consumers of available services in the community to meet their specific needs; assists with referrals and provides advocacy and assistance with completion of applications for various needs, including OVS compensation claims and HUD benefits.
• Follows strict protocols for safety when working on behalf of victims, including protection of confidentiality.
• Develops and maintains assessments and individualized service plans and coordinates service activities to help consumers meet their needs and protect their rights in civil and legal processes.
• Provides teaching and coaching of life skills such as safety planning, civil/legal systems, positive problem-solving, and healthy relationships.
• Provides or arranges transportation to enable consumers to connect with courts, police agencies, medical providers, DSS caseworkers, and other needed resources in the community.
• Case-manages on clients' behalf with co-workers, supervisors, and community partners including law enforcement, local courts, prosecutors, probation, and attorneys as needed.
• Plans safety for victims of domestic violence and crime while maintaining staff safety in various settings, including client homes and during accompaniments to court and law enforcement agencies.
• Maintains extensive records for individual client-related services and documentation used to report program outcomes and complete documents for billable services and grant reports.
• Oversees program-specific functions as assigned.

Requirements

• Desire to work with individuals and families and a thorough understanding of the family development process and the OCO Service Delivery system.
• Completion and maintenance of all regulatory training/education for NYS DOH Rape Crisis Certification and Domestic Violence Advocate privilege.
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated, resourceful, organized, and adaptable in carrying out job duties.
• Familiarity with the geographical layout of the county and knowledge of civil/legal systems and human service resources in the county.
• Good oral and written communication skills and excellent documentation and reporting skills.
• Skills for complex data entry and the ability to read and interpret complex information and manipulate data.
• Demonstrated ability to work with others in a warm, non-judgmental manner and be a positive role model.
• Ability to direct the work of others, set priorities, and problem-solve.
• Exhibit professionalism, good judgment, and maintain strict confidentiality regarding client information.
• Detailed knowledge of regulations, services, rights, and responsibilities for the population served.
• Ability to work with populations with special needs, including those that may exhibit aggressive behaviors.
• Flexibility with work schedule to meet program needs; participation in 24-hour on-call emergency services on a rotating basis.
• Acceptable health to carry out the responsibilities of the position.
• Valid NYS Driver's license with a driving record within policy and access to a properly insured, reliable vehicle for regular travel and transporting consumers.

Nice-to-haves

• Associate's Degree in a Human Services area preferred.
• 1-3 years' experience in Human Services/Victim Assistance programming with a wide variety of ages and populations, or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (available to Full-Time staff)
• Paid leave (sick leave, PTO, holidays, etc.)
• 403B Deferred Annuity Retirement Plan
• Term Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program