Advocate

Maine Tasting Center; Brunswick (ME); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Maine Tasting Center in Brunswick seeks an Advocate to provide direct support to survivors of sexual violence across Eastern Cumberland and nearby counties. This 24-hour-per-week role combines office work with approved remote activities.

Key duties include crisis response, client accompaniment to courts and police, data input, supervision, and collaboration with community partners. Strong communication and crisis‑response skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work/life experience.
• Excellent organizational ability, oral and written communication skills.
• Training or experience working with diverse and underserved populations.
• Awareness of, and sensitivity to, issues of sexual violence.
• Ability to respond to people in crisis and an open-minded nature.
• Willingness to work flexible hours and respond to changing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis support services for survivors and family members following a sexual assault for ECSL County cases.
• Provide client accompaniments as needed to ECSL courthouses and local police departments, during police interviews or other procedures involving law enforcement, hospital forensic medical exams, restorative circles, etc.
• Participate in MECASA’s Systems Services programming and MSTEN Meetings, including data sharing and reports.
• Maintain and input all statistical data required by funding and agency requirements.
• Bi-weekly supervision with the Systems Advocacy Lead to develop a workplan and ensure compliance with policies and data collection.
• Collaborate with other Advocates for consistency and coverage of services.
• Establish contact with community resources and referral sources.
• Provide community-based advocacy and support services, including support groups.
• Attend meetings and professional development trainings as needed.
• Assist the Advocacy Services Coordinator, as needed.
• Complete training and respond to client hotline needs.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Organizational skills

Crisis response

Flexible hours

Facilitation

Diversity experience

Computer literacy

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Title: Advocate

Job Status: Regular, Part-time (24 hrs/wk)

Office Location: SASSMM Brunswick Office, with remote work approved

Primary Responsibility: To provide direct assistance and support to survivors of sexual violence in Eastern Cumberland (Brunswick, Harpswell, and the islands), Lincoln, and Sagadahoc Counties (ECLS).

Representative Duties:

Program and Services Delivery

• Provide crisis support services for survivors and family members following a sexual assault for E. Cumberland, Sagadahoc, and Lincoln (ECSL) County cases.
• Provide client accompaniments as needed to ECSL courthouses and local police departments, during police interviews or other procedures involving law enforcement, hospital forensic medical exams, restorative circles, etc.
• Participate in MECASA’s Systems Services programming and MSTEN Meetings, including the collection and sharing of data and best practices for any scheduled reports.
• Maintain and input all statistical data required by funding and agency requirements.
• Participate (bi-weekly) in one-on-one supervision with the Systems Advocacy Lead to develop a workplan, ensure self-management and compliance with policies and data collection requirements, and to share feedback and accountability regarding ongoing projects.
• Work in coordination with other Systems and Education & Outreach Advocates (s) for consistency and coverage of services.
• Establish contact and collaborate with community resources and referral sources.
• Provide community-based advocacy and support services, as required, including support group services, and drop-in support services.
• Attend identified meetings and initiatives that are relevant to the mission of the agency.
• Attend at least 12 hours of professional development training per year, in consultation with the Systems Advocacy Lead.
• Assist the Advocacy Services Coordinator, as needed.

Client Services

• Complete SASSMM 47 hours Advocate Training.
• Participate in coverage of the 24/7 helpline and respond to all client or volunteer advocate needs.
• Support all client needs as identified via the support line, the SASSMM office phone, affiliated schools, or other community partners.
• Co-facilitate in-person or online support groups, as needed.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work/life experience.
• Excellent organizational ability, oral and written communication skills.
• Training or experience working with diverse and underserved populations.
• Awareness of, and sensitivity to, issues of sexual violence.
• Ability to respond to people in crisis and an open-minded nature.
• Willingness to work flexible hours and respond to changing priorities.
• Excellent computer literacy, organizational, facilitation, and oral and written communication skills.

Accountability: Accountable to the Systems Advocacy Lead for any client-related or systems support. Accountable to the Executive Director regarding all agency programming and operations.