Community Advocate

Maine Tasting Center; Portland (ME); Hybrid; USD 27,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Professional development

403(b) match

Health/dental/vision plans

Job summary

SART Advocate-Outreach Specialist at Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine (SARSSM) in Portland, ME. This union position centers survivors through outreach to designated communities, providing crisis intervention and resource referrals while maintaining trauma-informed, client-centered practice.

The role is grant funded through OVW, with on-call helpline coverage and a hybrid work structure. It requires meeting training, background checks, and travel within Cumberland and York

Qualifications

• Degree in human services, social work, psychology, or related fields.
• Knowledge of fundamentals of working with victims of crime, sexual assault and/or human trafficking.
• Multilingual preferred; fluent in English and one of the listed languages.
• Ability to assess crisis situations and maintain strong boundaries.
• Strong communication, attention to detail, initiative and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential, trauma-informed crisis intervention, safety planning, support, medical and police accompaniment, court advocacy, and resources and referrals
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners and multi-disciplinary teams
• Plan, organize, and facilitate a quarterly Inclusion Community Response Meeting, convening local support and investigative organizations to monitor needs and service gaps
• Assist with coordination for the MDT/SART teams composed of internal & external stakeholders
• Provide programmatic support to the VIP grant Survivor Advisory Group
• Develop and implement OVW approved training, resource sharing, consultation and meeting engagement in compliance with VIP grant requirements
• Develop outreach specific to grant-targeted communities to raise awareness of and create meaningful access to SARSSM services
• Co-facilitate virtual and in-person support groups and inclusive client outreach activities
• Attend regular supervision, staff, team & community meetings as scheduled
• Complete all required data and grant reporting by set deadlines

Skills

Multilingual

Communication skills

Crisis intervention

Community outreach

Education

Degree in human services

Tools

G Suite

Zoom

Microsoft Office

Canva

CRM systems

Job description

Position: SART Advocate-Outreach Specialist

Reports to: Advocacy Services Program Manager

Job Type: Full-time: 40-hours per week, with additional on call hours as assigned

Classification: hourly, non-exempt, union position Pay: $24.04/hr

Location: Portland, ME, with occasional travel to Cumberland & York Counties

Work Structure: Hybrid (in-person & remote),

ABOUT SARSSM

How would you like to be a change agent, working closely with our clients and community in a small but powerful setting? SARSSM has an unyielding commitment to our clients & mission; does this resonate with you?

Since 1973, Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine (SARSSM), a nonprofit 501(c)(3)organization, has provided free, confidential supportive services to people impacted by sexual violence, child sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and trafficking. Our Advocacy work in Intervention, Prevention, and Engagement programs & services is impactful. Join us in this rewarding work!

Make a Difference: SARSSM Advocacy Services partners in the empowerment process with folks as part of our intervention and crisis response focused programs and services.

We See You Too: SARSSM provides a supportive, collaborative work environment that focuses on the growth & development of its employees. SARSSM is an open union shop, this role is a union position.

Great benefits package includes generous paid time off, professional development opportunities, 403b match, and health/dental/vision plans.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Sexual Assault Response Team Advocates center survivors in Cumberland and York counties through victim & survivor advocacy, resource referral, and peer support. SART Advocates work to increase survivor safety and wellbeing while mitigating any additional traumatization, whether coming from individuals or systems.

The SART Advocate-Outreach Specialist provides direct services that strive to be culturally aware, trauma-informed and client centered, with a specialization in outreach to survivors of sexual violence in designated communities. The SART Advocate-Outreach Specialist is a grant funded position through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).

HELPLINE

As a no wrong door agency, All SARSSM employees are Advocates. All staff are required to provide some on-call coverage for the 24-hour crisis & support Helpline. Helpline duties include providing support & Advocacy with in person accompaniments and/or by telephone. Shifts are assigned on a rotation, with frequency of shifts dictated by staffing levels. Additional on-call stipend applies.

ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provide confidential, trauma-informed crisis intervention, safety planning, support, medical and police accompaniment, court advocacy (both civil and criminal), and resources and referrals
• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with community partners and members of our multi-disciplinary teams
• Plan, organize, and facilitate a quarterly Inclusion Community Response Meeting, convening local support and investigative organizations to monitor the needs and service gaps among these communities.
• Assist with coordination for the MDT/SART team (s) composed of internal & external stakeholders.
• Provide programmatic support to the VIP grant Survivor Advisory Group
• Develop & implement OVW approved training, resource sharing, consultation and meeting engagement in compliance with VIP grant requirements.
• Develop & engage outreach specific to specific to grant targeted communities to raise awareness of and create meaningful access to SARSSM services.
• Co-facilitate virtual and in-person support groups and inclusive client outreach activities.
• Attend regular supervision, staff, team & community meetings as scheduled.
• Complete all required data and grant reporting by set deadlines.

The above is intended to describe the essential responsibilities, required skills, and minimum qualifications for the role. Additional duties as directed by the Advocacy Services Program Manager or the Executive Director may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in human services, social work, psychology, or other related fields, with one (1) year of work experience in these fields preferred.
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of working with victims of crime, sexual assault and/or human trafficking preferred. A willingness to develop understanding and proficiency in delivering trauma informed services
• Multilingual preferred, must be proficient in English and with one of the following: Arabic, French, Kinyarwanda/Kirundi/Kinyamulenge, Lingala, Portuguese, Somali. Spanish, Ukrainian, or Russian.
• Ability to assess crisis situations and r espond appropriately while maintaining strong boundaries.
• Be a strong communicator who pays close attention to detail; demonstrates initiative, follow through, and possession of solid self-assessment skills.
• Must be adaptable & able to quickly and effectively learn new skills and problem solve.
• Possess the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Must be comfortable performing the community engagement and outreach activities of this role, including meeting new people and developing relationships.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Successfully complete a 40-hour sexual assault advocate training and additional required training within specified assigned timeframes.
• Access to reliable transportation with applicable insurance.
• Current, valid driver’s license or State ID.
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills with fluency in English. Knowledge of other languages is an advantage.
• Technical competency in Google Suites, Zoom, Microsoft office, Canva, Client Management Systems
• Participate in agency events, including special events, outreach/awareness and donor engagement events.
• Frequent local travel, with regular on-call evening & weekend shifts as necessary in order to accomplish job responsibilities.
• Employment is conditional upon successful clearance of background screening including Child Abuse Registry, Maine Criminal and Federal Fingerprinting, and SARSSM probationary period.

SARSSM is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified individuals, regardless of race, sex, gender identity/expression, language, religion, political affiliation, age, socio-economic status, physical appearance and abilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their role.

In support of our values, SARSSM strives to ensure accurate, ethical, and equitable policies and practices. We believe in regular assessment, reflection, and the pursuit of growth, whether on the individual level or as an organization.