Survivor Advocate

Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center
Published
October 2, 2023
Location
Dallas, Texas
Category
Job Type

Description

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

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 Manager and other Survivor Advocates in making call-backs and setting up and conducting initial intake 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 ongoing safety planning
  • Work directly with survivors to assess legal advocacy needs and collaborate with the clinical team to provide assistance with protective orders, civil, criminal, and other court matters, and legal referrals.
  • Responsible for educating survivors on the criminal justice system and crime victim’s rights and act as a liaison with police and prosecutors during investigation and prosecution.
  • Will 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.
  • Responsible for developing case management materials, handouts and resource guides for clients as well as materials for staff to reference when working with clients.
  • Responsible for training and educating staff and volunteer advocates on relevant legislative updates and legal advocacy services provided by DARCC
  • Collaborates 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.
  • Prepare and send Intake paperwork to legal advocacy clients through DocuSign.
  • Must believe in, support, and act in accordance with the agency’s mission statement, strategic goals, policies and guidelines.
  • Ability to maintain a non-judgmental, accepting attitude towards people of any race, color, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, age, appearance, or economic status.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

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) required. Preferred assets: Master’s degree in related field. 2+ years of experience working with victims of crimes.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: None required.

Language Skills: Spanish speaking preferred. 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.

Occasional travel locally for community outreach and survivor accompaniment.

Day and evening hours in addition to occasional weekend hours 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.

 

 

 

 

Application Instructions

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to careers@dallasrapecrisis.org.

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