Summary:

The Bilingual Survivor Advocate will work closely with the Director of Advocacy to deliver on DARCC’s mission to provide comprehensive survivor-centered support. The Bilingual Survivor Advocate will provide crisis intervention, case management, legal advocacy, and support services to survivors of sexual assault and abuse.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with the Director of Advocacy and the rest of the Advocacy team to help develop DARCC’s Advocacy response in the community and improve direct services for survivors.
• Provide survivor accompaniment to clients including medical (hospital; forensic exam), law enforcement (reporting; victim statement), and criminal justice (attending trial; testifying).
• Assist with survivor case management and legal advocacy needs, including but not limited to Crime Victims Compensation assistance, medical and mental health advocacy, law enforcement and criminal justice advocacy, protective order and civil proceedings advocacy, immigration issues, housing support and basic needs.
• Provide support when needed to Crisis Services Coordinator and Clinical Case Manager in making call-backs and in setting up and conducting initial intakes for services.
• Provide Hotline/crisis advocacy, including listening to and assessing the needs of callers, providing referral services, crisis intervention, safety planning, providing information on crime victims’ rights, and directing to SANE program when applicable.
• Assess clients’ needs to help determine appropriate services, resources, and/or referrals as well as assess for client safety and assist in on-going safety planning
• Participate in a rotating on-call schedule with the rest of the advocacy team members to ensure 24/7 crisis coverage for survivors.
• Work directly with survivors to assess legal advocacy needs and collaborate with clinical team to provide assistance with protective orders, civil, criminal, and other court matters, and legal referrals.
• Educate survivors on the criminal justice system and crime victim’s rights and act as a liaison with police and prosecutors during investigation and prosecution.
• Work with community members to build, support and enhance relationships with police, prosecutors, and other crisis responders to promote effective engagement in the coordinated community response.
• Develop case management materials, handouts, and resource guides for clients as well as materials for staff to reference when working with clients.
• Train and educate staff and volunteer advocates on relevant legislative updates and legal advocacy services provided by DARCC
• Collaborate with other DARCC staff and programs to enhance overall services to survivors.
• Document all activities and maintain records in accordance with best practices and licensure requirements and for grant reporting purposes.
• Enter and track demographic data for grant reporting purposes.
• Believe in, support, and act in accordance with the agency’s mission statement, strategic goals, policies, and guidelines.
• Maintain a non-judgmental, accepting attitude towards people of any race, color, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, age, appearance, or economic status.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in social services or mental health related field (or human services field) is required. Master’s Degree in related field and 2+ years of experience working with victims of crimes is preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: None required.

Language Skills: Dual language proficiency in English and Spanish required. Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and evaluate documents. Ability to effectively communicate with individuals through a variety of mediums. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquires or complaints.

Technology / Computer Skills: Must demonstrate reasonable proficiency with computers and other electronic devices, as well as agency software needed to fulfill responsibilities.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Frequent sitting, standing, and walking.

Lifting of items under 30 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Flexible hybrid work schedule is available. Occasional travel locally for community outreach and survivor accompaniment may be required. Day and evening hours in addition to occasional weekend hours are required.

DARCC is dedicated to the goal of building a cultural and gender diverse workplace committed to working within a multicultural community and strongly encourages applications from minority populations.

If you are interested in joining our team, please send your resume and cover letter to careers@dallasrapecrisis.org. It is the policy of the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons, and to recruit, hire, train, promote, and compensate persons in all jobs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.