Victim Assistance Coordinator (VAC)

Job Description

Job DescriptionSalary:

Primary Purpose

The Victim Assistance Coordinator (VAC) is a contractual hybrid position requiring the individual to reside on Guam and to be available for in-person response as necessary.

The VAC assists the Delegate for Abuse and Clergy Misconduct in implementing the Archdioceses Policy on the Protection of Children and Young People from Sexual Abuse.

As the first point of contact for victims of sexual abuse by clergy, employees, or volunteers, the VAC serves a vital pastoral and administrative role in the Archdiocese. In collaboration with professional counselors and appointed spiritual directors of the Committee for Abused Survivors, the VAC gathers necessary background information, coordinates assistance for victims, and establishes and maintains confidential case files for each individual.

Essential Responsibilities

• Comply with all church and civil laws and procedures, as well as Archdiocesan policies. All clergy, employees, and volunteers are mandated reporters, required to report any known, alleged, or suspected abuse or neglect of minors to civil authorities.
• Be available to receive and respond to reports of sexual abuse, monitoring hotline and email communications, ensuring response within 24 hours (or sooner, depending on urgency).
• Upon receipt of an abuse allegation, promptly contact the complainant to collect information necessary for the civil report and prepare a written intake report for the Delegate and, when requested, for the Vicar General, Chancellor, or Archbishop.
• Offer and coordinate appropriate assistance to alleged victims, including referrals for spiritual direction, professional counseling, and support groupsboth at case initiation and for as long as the individual requests such support.
• Attend meetings of the Independent Review Board (IRB).
• Present new cases to the IRB and serve as an advocate for the victim.
• Implement and monitor follow-up actions in accordance with IRB recommendations, in coordination with the Delegate, and when appropriate, with the Vicar General, Chancellor, or Archbishop.
• Create and maintain confidential case files for each victim. Provide reports to the Delegate or other authorized Church officials as requested.
• Ensure each case file contains the VACs legible case notes, intake forms, copies of civil referral forms (e.g., Child Abuse and Neglect Referral, Part I), documentation of therapy coordination, assessments, recommendations, billing records, receipts, and related documents maintaining strict confidentiality at all times.
• Collect, manage, and prepare data for reporting, including those required for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Safe Environment Compliance Audit.
• Respond in person when pastoral care, meetings, or coordination with Archdiocesan officials, civil authorities, or victims require physical presence.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Delegate, Vicar General, Chancellor, or Archbishop.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree required; graduate-level education or degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling Psychology, or related field preferred.
• LCSW or LMFT credentials preferred.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in case management, counseling, administration, report writing, oral communication, and advocacy.
• Knowledge of civil laws pertaining to privacy, mandated reporting, and the criminal justice systems role in child abuse cases.
• Understanding of professional ethics and HIPAA requirements for handling confidential information.
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, empathy, patience, and balance in all interactions.
• Ability to synthesize and present information to assist Church leaders and legal counsel in determining appropriate next steps under Church and civil law.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn medical billing and coding for psychological services.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking, presentations, and group facilitation.
• Strong interviewing, record keeping, and database management skills.
• A practicing Catholic with a deep understanding of and respect for the teachings and mission of the Roman Catholic Church.

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodation will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities. The VAC must be able to:

1. Communicate effectively through talking and hearing.
2. Sit, stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch as required.
3. Reach with hands and arms; use hands to handle materials and operate a keyboard.
4. Read printed text and digital content.
5. Occasionally lift and move objects up to 25 lbs.

Work Conditions

• The position is hybrid, combining remote / in-person response and on-site duties as necessary.
• The individual must reside on Guam to ensure availability.
• The work environment is generally quiet to moderate, with occasional travel to parishes, schools, or other sites.
• This is a contractual position with a professional retainer fee based on a negotiated number of applied hours, with additional hours billable as needed.