Crime Victim Community Advocate

*Distinguishing Features of the Class:* Under the supervision of the Deputy Director, the incumbent will provide direct counseling, advocacy, and outreach services to victims of interpersonal violence on college campuses, in the office or in the community.
The incumbent will work to engage individuals through violence awareness programming and community mobilization activities.
The incumbent will also work with the Child Advocacy Center in the Family Advocates Program which is designed to support non-offending caregivers in cases of alleged child abuse and maltreatment in such a manner that they can act responsibly to protect and support the alleged child victim.
Responsibilities include supporting and empowering the families involved in the child protective system, including Family Court, working in conjunction with the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) and CVSVC.
Incumbent is also responsible for Volunteer Program support, online chat coverage and crisis hotline backup.
Does related work as required.
*Typical Work Activities:* * Provides direct counseling, advocacy, and outreach services to victims of interpersonal violence on college campuses, in the office or in the community; * Researches and prepares written materials on sexual and physical assault prevention, non-stranger rape, dating, domestic and interpersonal violence, stalking, bullying prevention and related topics; * Manages social media accounts, including strategizing content and campaigns, analyzing data, and increasing followers and driving engagement; * In partnership with other members of the community outreach team, prepares and carries out prevention education and community mobilization activities; * In partnership with the Crime Victim Services Coordinator, recruits, trains, and supports new volunteers in all aspects of sexual assault and rape crisis services and crime victims assistance program; * Participates in volunteer interviews, training and the development of training materials; * Working with the administrative staff, manages the volunteer hotline schedule, including contact with the volunteers and the answering service; * Provides hotline back-up coverage of the 24-hour crisis hotline; provides hotline coverage including crisis counseling and medical and legal advocacy and/or accompaniment; online chat coverage; * Provides on-call support to the hotline volunteers; * Supervises hotline and office volunteers and interns; * Supervises hotline supervisors; * Prepares volunteer work assignments and performs follow-up to evaluate the effectiveness of assignment; * Performs performance and integrity reviews regularly of all volunteers; * Attends volunteer fairs and other community outreach events; * Performs public relations related to volunteer activities and agency services; Organizes special events for the agency.
* Accompanies children and families undergoing medical exams and forensic interviews to provide advocacy, support, and resources; and provides follow-up as appropriate; * Supports the child protective services safety plan for the family to ensure the child's physical safety; * Ensures the non-offending caregiver's understanding of the plan; * Identifies areas where the non-offending caregiver needs assistance to carry out the plan; * Helps non-offending caregivers understand the legal and child protective systems and their roles; * Identifies housing, transportation, education and financial needs to assist the non-offending caregiver; * Provides consistent and professional emotional support to the non-offending care-giver; * Connects the non-offending caregiver with a broader support system through a support group; * Participates in the Child Advocacy Center, Multi-Disciplinary Team, and Child Fatality Review Team; * Prepares and maintains records, data base entries, and reports; * Performs other duties as assigned.
*Full Performance, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics:* * Good knowledge of principles and practices related to IPV, community, relational, and individual-level outreach strategies; * Good knowledge of the identification of child and adult victims of IPV and of community organizations and services provided to child, adolescent and adult victims; * Good knowledge of risk and protective factors of IPV victimization, including but not limited to sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking; * Ability to prepare and present instructional information to varied audiences; * Ability to develop strategies, messaging, and materials for outreach campaigns; * Good knowledge of child protective system and Family Court and its role in relation to the CAC; * Good knowledge of the problems involved with individuals served by CVSVC; * Good knowledge of the problems involved with individuals served by CAC and an ability to relate to these families; * Good knowledge of community resources, service agencies and programs; * Ability to utilize a phone and computer; * Ability to understand and empathize with the needs and concerns of others; * Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; * Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; * Ability to maintain records and data base entries; * Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position *Minimum Qualifications:* A.
Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with at least an Associate’s Degree AND six (6) months of experience working on a crisis hotline as a staff member or volunteer OR six (6) months of experience providing direct services to victims of crime OR six (6) months of related experience; OR B.
High school diploma AND at least two (2) years of experience working on a crisis hotline as a staff member or volunteer OR two (2) years of experience providing direct services to victims of crime OR two (2) years of related experience.
*Special Requirements:* At time of appointment and throughout: 1.
Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license.
2.
Successful clearance from the State Central Registry in the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (Background investigation is conducted by the appointing authority).
_Albany County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
_ _Albany County is a participating E-Verify Employer.
_ _Competitive class vacancies are filled by certified list provided by Albany County Civil Service.
Should no certified list be available, candidates appointed to this position will be serving in a provisional appointment in accordance with New York State Civil Service Law.
The candidate must successfully complete a competitive examination and be eligible for appointment in accordance with Civil Service Law and the Civil Service Rules for Albany County to obtain a permanent appointment.
_ *About Albany County* Albany County is a unique blend of rural, urban and suburban communities.
It’s the ideal place to live, work and raise a family as we offer competitive salaries, a generous benefits package, and plenty of chances to explore your professional career.
Our employment opportunities are wide ranging with departments that include those offering direct programs and services to our constituents such as the Department for Aging, Department for Children, Youth and Families and Departments of Health and Mental Health as well as those departments which offer support like General Services, Human Resources and Information Services.
The Veterans Service Bureau, Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center and Department of Social Services workforce also provide important services to our residents and those who travel through Albany County each day.
With 19 municipalities, our villages, towns and cities will impress you with their beauty, food, lodging, shopping, and ample entertainment.
Whether you hike our trails, bike on our paths, visit our parks and museums, fish in our streams and brooks, or change your career path, you’ll find it all here.
Job Type: Full-time Pay: $43,952.
00 per year Benefits: * Dental insurance * Employee assistance program * Health insurance * Paid time off * Retirement plan * Tuition reimbursement Schedule: * 8 hour shift Work Location: In person