Lead Victim Advocate

Victim Service Center of Central Florida; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Victim Service Center of Central Florida is seeking a Full-Time, Exempt Program Supervisor to provide direct services to sexual assault and crime victims. You will supervise the 24/7 advocacy team, coordinate information and referrals, and assist with criminal/civil justice processes.

Strong crisis intervention, advocacy, and confidentiality skills are essential. The role requires a Master’s Degree preferred in relevant fields, plus supervisory experience and a Florida driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred in counseling, psychology, mental health, social work, or related field.
• Minimum two years supervisory experience in the social services field.
• At least three years full-time equivalent experience as a Victim Advocate.
• Ability to travel to hospitals, crime scenes, court, victim homes, etc.
• Successful pass of criminal background check and E-verify.

Responsibilities

• Information and Referral: provide information about the criminal justice process and victim rights.
• Personal Advocacy / Accompaniment: assist with emergency medical care, exams, and legal processes; accompany to interviews and appointments.
• Emotional Support or Safety Services: crisis intervention, hotline counseling, individual counseling, on-scene response.
• Criminal/ Civil Justice system assistance: notify case status, assist with protection orders, civil/legal support.
• Advocate Coordination: supervise staff activities, schedule 24/7 shift coverage, support professional development.
• Training and Special Projects: training attendance, onboarding materials, community education, special projects.
• Travel: travel to hospitals, crime scenes, court, victim homes as needed.
• Case Review: conduct case status reviews, provide supervision and clinical oversight.
• Data Collection: document services and complete program reports; ensure confidentiality.
• Performs other duties: miscellaneous tasks as assigned.

Skills

Crisis Intervention

Victim Advocacy

Communication Skills

Confidentiality

Team Supervision

Education

Master’s Degree in counseling, psychology, mental health, social work, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

SERVICE AREA: Central Florida

REPORTS TO: Program Director

CLASSIFICATION: Full Time/ Exempt

POSITION DESCRIPTION: To provide direct service to victims of sexual assault, crime victims and traumatic circumstances. Provide supervision in the performance and coordination of direct service staff providing individualized services and resources to victims of sexual assault, crime victims and traumatic circumstances. Provide task supervision to staff within the 24/7 advocacy department.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITY:

Information and Referral 20%

• Information about the criminal justice process


• Information about victim rights, how to obtain notification, etc.


• Referral to other victim service programs


• Referral to other services, supports and resources (includes legal, medical and other service providers.

Personal Advocacy / Accompaniment 20%

• Victim advocacy/ accompaniment to emergency medical care


• Victim accompaniment to medical forensic exam


• Law enforcement interview advocacy/ accompaniment


• Criminal Advocacy / accompaniment service/ support


• Civil Advocacy/ accompaniment (includes assistance with protection orders)


• Prosecution interview advocacy/ accompaniment


• Intervention with employer, creditor, landlord or academic institution


• Transportation assistance


• Assistance with victim compensation

Emotional Support or Safety Services 20%

• Crisis Intervention (in person includes safety planning)


• Hotline/ Crisis line counseling


• Individual Counseling


• On scene crisis response


• Therapeutic support

Criminal/ Civil Justice system assistance 10%

• Notification of criminal justice events (case status, court proceedings, etc.)


• Emergency justice related assistance


• Civil legal attorney assistance in obtaining protection or restraining order


• Civil legal attorney assistance with family law issues


• Other civil legal attorney assistance (landlord, employment, etc.)


• Criminal advocacy /accompaniment service


• Civil Advocacy / accompaniment service

Advocate Coordination 10%

• Participates in staff recruitment activities and employment related decisions including staff performance issues and discipline.


• Instructs staff in new crisis intervention approaches as they develop in the field and shares research and development; supports staff professional development and assists in identifying training needs and opportunities.


• May assist staff with crisis intervention services for high-risk consumers; may provide direct services to program participants and their non-offending families or other caregivers.


• Ensures scheduling of 24/7 shift coverage; Monitors and evaluates Crisis Unit services and triage for quality and effectiveness, consulting with management team; reviews, assesses and provides support regarding the effect(s) of case issues on staff members; monitors the environment of care to maximize participant and staff safety.

Training and Special Projects 5%

• Attendance at Victim Services Practitioner Training, CORE training for Sexual assault and continuing education to maintain practitioner status.


• Reviews documentation expectations with new hires and updates relevant training materials for onboarding new hires


• Provides community education and outreach


• Provides support to advocacy special projects


• Responsible for upkeep of designated agency offices and locations

Travel 5%

• Required to travel to and from hospitals, crime scenes, court, victim homes, etc. in the provision of services.

Case Review 5%

• Facilitate meetings with advocate department staff to discuss case status


• Provides supervision and clinical oversight to advocacy department

Data Collection 5%

• Documentation of services provided and accurately obtaining and maintaining civil rights information (gender, race, national origin, age, disability, etc.) about victims served.


• Completes program reports as assigned

Performs other duties as requested 5%

• Miscellaneous duties are performed according to instruction

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of crisis intervention principles, techniques and practices and their application to victims of sexual assault, violent crime, and traumatic circumstances


• Considerable knowledge of the laws and judicial systems related to sexual assault, violent crime, and traumatic circumstances the judicial and civil systems and processes.


• Considerable knowledge of the dynamics of sexual assault, incest and child abuse, as well as the psychological concepts and principles of human development and behavior.


• Considerable knowledge of available governmental, community and private programs and resources.


• Knowledge of public health laws and state regulations including accreditation standards such as established by the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence for Rape Crisis Centers, as well as federal confidentiality laws.


• Ability to establish rapport with supervisees at varying stages of professional development, as well as clients, under adverse conditions for the purposes of supervision and training.


• Ability to train and supervise staff in accordance with the agency’s documentation policy and procedures and accreditation standards.


• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing and to react quickly and calmly in emergencies or crisis situations.


• Ability to work independently and use sound judgment and to adhere to agency policies and procedures, while concurrently working effectively on a multidisciplinary team.


• Ability to work collaboratively with team partners both within and outside of the agency.


• Ability to prepare technical and professional reports using computer-based applications, including the ability to keep detailed, accurate records and documentation.


• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full professions ethic accord.


• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, elected and appointed officials and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression.


• Ability to respond to and handle graphic and sensitive situations including violent crime scenes.


• Basic computer skills including Word, Excel, and Outlook.


• Understand and protect client confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree, preferred in counseling, psychology, mental health, social work, or other related social services field.


• A minimum of two years of supervisory experience in the social services field


• At least three years full-time equivalent experience as a Victim Advocate


• Successfully pass a criminal background check and E-verify


• Possess a valid Florida Driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance, and have a satisfactory driving record.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Demonstrated ability to remain calm and respond to individuals in crisis and emergency situations.


• Ability to interact positively with unique individuals of all ages, genders, religions, cultures, ethnicities, attitudes, beliefs, other characteristics without discrimination.


• Knowledge of law enforcement and court procedures.


• Ability to respond to and handle graphic and sensitive situations including violent crime scenes.


• Basic computer skills including Word, Excel, and Outlook


• Understand and protect client confidentiality.


• Successful completion of the FCASV core training within 30 days of employment.


• Successful completion of the OAG Victim Practitioner Designation Training within first year of employment.


• Ability to work independently and make decisions in accordance with established policies and regulations.


• Ability to work a non-traditional schedule and respond to call outs when assigned to hotline coverage.

ADA Compliance

Physical Ability: tasks involve extended periods at work station or keyboard. Tasks involve driving primarily but not exclusively in Central Florida at various hours of the night or day. Tasks involve working a flexible schedule that will include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Sensory Requirements: verbal and written communication is required. Tasks may involve exposure via sight and smell of bodily fluids, evidence bearing clothing and violent crime scenes. Tasks involve listening and responding to intimate physical knowledge of a crime against a victim.

Environmental Factors: tasks may involve contact with angry or potentially violent individuals. Tasks may involve contact with individuals with known and unknown diseases. Tasks may include contact with individuals under the influence of either legal or illegal substances.