Job Description
Job DescriptionSalary: $33,010
Position Description
Specialized Services Advocate
Position Summary: Responsible for the oversight of service delivery to special population victims who have experienced or been affected by Family Violence or Sexual Abuse including crisis intervention and support services to aid in their recovery from the abuse. These services may be given in either individual or small group settings in both residential or outreach settings. Emphasis in services will be given to clients who speak Spanish and/or from the Hispanic culture.
Qualifications
- High School Diploma and working toward college degree and/or relevant volunteer experience
- Bachelors degree in a mental health related field and two years work/volunteer experience preferred
- Must have be able to speak, write and read Spanish fluently
- Must have reliable transportation and current auto insurance as required by the State of Texas
- Ability to work within local Hispanic community to help address needs and work with community leaders
- Fluent Spanish Speaker required
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Program Coordination (25% of time)
- Evaluate and modify service delivery to ensure special population clients' needs are being met. Special populations include victims underserved because of ethnicity, race, disability, cultural or language diversity, and/or geographic isolation
- Identify local resources to better serve special population victims
- Provide information and training to staff, volunteers, and involved community agencies/organizations on best practices in service delivery to special populations
- Work with staff and volunteers to develop and maintain a 24-hour system for client translation services
Direct Client Services (50% of time)
- Provide intake sessions assessing individuals eligibility for services and provide information and referrals relevant to each clients situation
- Provide crisis intervention and support services to survivors to include accompaniment, counseling appointments, emergency transportation, emergency medical care, and immediate access to agency residential services
- Facilitate and develop education and support groups
- Provide personal advocacy to clients to include providing access to food, clothing, and personal hygiene items
- Provide legal information and assistance in the civil and criminal justice systems to include information on obtaining crime victim compensation benefits and protective orders and preparing victim impact statements
- Participate in an on-call rotation to provide 24-hour crisis intervention services
- Provide daily documentation of client information, and maintain required statistical and administrative documentation for monthly, quarterly, and annual reports
- Keep current a formalized resource/referral system of community resources
- Attend meetings pertinent to job performance and receive training on specialized victims services.
Community Education (25% of time)
- Identify unreached populations and develop plans of action to inform them of services and make services available
- Lead trainings with community agencies and individuals to enhance knowledge of family violence and sexual assault issues, as well as the special needs of bilingual clients
- Develop written materials, as needed, to enhance knowledge and awareness of Family Violence/Sexual Abuse issues
- Provide outreach services to unreached populations to increase community knowledge of available resources and services
Additional Job Duties
- All other duties as assigned
- Data entry as related to position
Building and Equipment Maintenance
- Assist in maintenance of agency equipment
- Assist in maintaining building safety
Personal Skills
- Ability to understand and comply with confidentiality policies
- Ability to remain calm while coping with crisis situations
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize workload
- Ability to organize work area
- Requires good verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work independently without supervision
Physical and Sensory
- Ability to walk, stand, kneel, push, stoop, reach above the shoulder, bend repeatedly, grasp, pull, hear with aid, see, write, count, read, speak, analyze, alphabetize, lift and carry under 45 lbs., perceive depth, operate a motor vehicle and operate motor equipment
- Conditions include working closely with others, working alone, working while children are playing close by, working protracted or irregular hours
- Equipment (machines, tools, devices) used in performing only the essential functions include computer and related equipment, typewriter, calculator, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile
- Ability to be flexible and change duties with short notice as needed
Supervisor: Client Services Director
Work Schedule: Flexible Monday through Friday (on call duty, weekends, and some holidays required)
Regular Schedule Hours 8:30am 5:00pm
Schedules are subject to change to meet the needs of the agency.
Location: Outreach offices and outside agencies in service area
Status: Non-exempt, Full-time
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as exhaustive of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.
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