PART-TIME Victim Advocate, Client Assistant Specialist, Grade

Montgomery Co; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 101,000; Part time

Job summary

Montgomery County’s Trauma Services Team is seeking a PART-TIME Client Assistance Specialist to support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other crimes. You will provide comprehensive advocacy services, including court/medical accompaniment, crisis intervention, safety planning, and case management.

This role requires a bachelor’s degree and at least 1 year of human services experience, plus the ability to communicate across cultures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 1 year of direct client contact experience.
• Ability to communicate across diverse cultures.

Responsibilities

• Provides victim advocacy services including court/medical accompaniment.
• Assists with filing protective/peace orders, filing charges, writing victim impact statements.
• Completes intakes and assessments including danger assessments.
• Develops service plans and provides case management and referrals.
• Supports sexual assault medical-forensic exams and law enforcement interviews.
• Collaborates with SAO, FJC, DVS, MCPD, hospitals and other resources.
• Processes crime victim compensation and liaises with the State Board.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Advocacy

Cross-cultural communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Please note: The salary range above represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $69,601 to $100,868, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

PART-TIME Victim Advocate - Client Assistant Specialist

Trauma Services Team

Behavioral Health and Crisis Services Division

WHO WE ARE

Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, D.C., and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County contains many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)is responsible for delivery of the County’s public health and human services that meets the needs of our community’s most vulnerable children, adults and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2,000 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.

As a department, we believe the health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods, and healthy food. HHS provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Behavioral Health and Crisis Services is seeking a highly motivated and experienced PART-TIME Client Assistance Specialist to join our Trauma Services team. In this role, you will provide comprehensive victim advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault/rape, human trafficking, and general crimes including homicide, physical assault, etc. This is a part-time position.

This position plays a crucial role in helping survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault/rape, human trafficking, and general crimes including homicide, physical assault, etc. to overcome challenges and help them heal and better integrate into life after victimization. The client assistance specialist is responsible for but not limited to the following:

• Provides victim advocacy services including court/medical accompaniment, assistance with filingprotective/peace orders, filing charges, writing victim impact statements, etc.
• Provides crisis intervention and safety planning
• Completes intakes, assessments including danger assessments, CSSR
• Develops service plans
• Provides case management services including linking and referring to available community resources
• Provides support during the sexual assault medical-forensic exam and during law enforcement and/or SAO interviews
• Collaborates the State Attorneys Office (SAO), FJC, DVS, HOR, Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), Shady Grove Hospital, Trauma Services Staff and other internal and external resources and professionals
• Processes crime victim compensation for eligible crime survivors seeking compensation for losses according to the County code
• Serves as a liaison with Maryland’s State Criminal Injuries Compensation Board for those survivors whose losses exceed the limit of the local Crime Victim Compensation Fund
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Working Offsite Locations: This position requires the ability to attend meetings or perform work at locations outside the office.

Evening and Weekend Hours: This position requires the ability to work some evening and weekend hours.

Telework Eligibility: This position is not eligible for telework.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s Degree.

Experience: One (1) year of experience in human services that involved substantive client contact and service delivery through direct assistance or referral. This experience must have included the ability to communicate effectively across a wide range of cultures and overcome potential barriers to service. For select positions, this experience must have required knowledge of the dynamics of trauma and victimization.

Substitutions: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Preferred Criteria/Interview Criteria:

The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevance of training, and experience in the following areas:

1. Experience working with survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and General Crimes
2. Experience in providing crisis intervention, safety planning, assessments, service planning, and case management services
3. Experience in working in a collaborative setting with other HHS colleagues, hospitals, and/or the Criminal Justice agencies.