Crime Victim Advocate

Huckleberry House is now hiring a part time Crime Victim Specialist to provide Crime Victim Services to youth ages 17-22 participating in our Transitional Living Program.

POSITION SUMMARY

Provides comprehensive Crime Victim education and advocacy to all youth seeking such services from Huckleberry House. The Crime Victim Specialist provides agency-wide specialization and support. S/he assists all Huckleberry House clients in seeking Crime Victim’s services; provides training as requested to agency staff and other community service providers; and represents Huckleberry House in community-wide settings advocating for youth victims of crime. The Crime Victim Specialist (1) responds to the emotional and physical needs of Crime Victims; (2) assists primary and secondary victims of crime to stabilize their lives after victimization; (3) assists victims to understand and participate in the criminal justice system; and (4) provides victims of crime with a measure of safety and security. The Crime Victim Specialist assists victims as they take back control of their lives and begin the process of healing.

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS (COMPETENCIES)

• Knowledge of youth victims of crimes, including but not limited to gender-based sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, exploitation, coercion, assault, harassment, prostitution, pornography and human trafficking; neglect & abuse; as well as youth who witness homicide and other violent crimes.
• Knowledge of Crime Victim Compensation, Crime Victim services and Crime Victim’s rights.
• Demonstrates a keen ability to creatively solve problem with clients and families.
• Exhibits concern/empathy for clients and their life experiences.
• Ability to work autonomously, adjust schedule to meet client needs and identify/communicate issues to Program Manager.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES / ACTIVITIES

• Provides agency clients and staff with information on Crime Victimization, crime prevention, victims' legal rights and protections, and the criminal justice process;
• Provides emotional support to victims/survivors; provides clinical support to staff working with victims/survivors to support individual and program goal achievement
• Helps victims/survivors with safety planning
• Helps victims/survivors complete compensation applications; comments to courts and parole boards; intervening with creditors, landlords, and employers on behalf of victims;
• Provides linkages with other services for victims including helping to arrange funerals; and notifying victims of inmates' release or escape.
• Offer victims/survivors information about the different options available to them and support victims' decision-making. Maintain the highest possible levels of confidentiality in communications with victims while complying with all laws and regulations regarding mandatory reporting.
• Completes PCL and all documents required for outcome measures
• Provides community support services aimed at meeting individual and family needs, and at the same time, helping to increase family stability.
• Is familiar with the individual treatment plans and housing stabilization plans and assists in implementing the plans for both mental health and independent living goals.
• Provides referral support and linkage for youth with mental health issues and other applicable barriers to increase access to community resources and services.
• Provides support and leadership to the Parenting Mentor, Community Support Provider and Community Support Assistant staff while assisting the team in carrying out the treatment plan and independent living plan.
• Provides day-to-day independent living and mental health support to clients, as well as crisis intervention as needed.
• Attends weekly staff meetings, case review, individual and group supervision
• Participates in service coordination for youth-serving teams with family and other providers.
• Actively builds and maintains cooperative relationships with property owners to assist with housing stability upon program completion.
• Plans and conducts group sessions with clients to address independent living skill development, healthy relationships, mental health issues and to promote social skill development and community connections.
• Transports clients in agency-owned or personal vehicle as needed.
• Maintains required caseload and/or meets established productivity standards; maintains scheduling flexibility to accommodate client schedules and needs.
• Accurately completes documentation in a timely manner.
• Serves on an agency committee.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, CREDENTIALS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or GED with postsecondary education preferred; related experience or training in victim services required with 3 years of experience preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to problem solve, resolve conflict, and negotiate.
• Computer literate with strong data entry skills.
• Ability to relate to and have empathy for young people.
• Self-motivated worker in need of minimal supervision.
• Holds and maintains a valid driver’s license with a good driving record.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• May work in a shelter/office environment and/or various locations in the community.
• May require ability to sit, move about, climb stairs and operate telephone and personal computer for extended periods of time.
• Must be accessible via cell phone.
• Must drive personal vehicle in order to accomplish work objectives.
• Must participate in on-call rotation, providing staff support outside of regular working hours.
• Required to work a nonstandard workweek that includes weeknight (after 5 pm) and weekend hours.

Huck House offers an excellent benefits package, competative salary, and bonus pay opportunities!

Some of the benefits we offer inclide:

• a flexible schedule
• 6 weeks of paid time off
• regular profressional development opportunities
• opportunity for Public Service Loan Forgiveness

It is the policy of Huckleberry House to provide a harassment-free and equal employment opportunity work environment for all applicants and employees. Huckleberry House is committed to complying with all applicable federal, state and local regulations which provide protection from discrimination for various groups of applicants and employees.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: From $19.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 4 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• On call

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• domestic violence/human trafficking education: 1 year (Preferred)
• social service/case management: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person