Trauma-Informed Sexual Assault Services Advocate

YWCA USA; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Coverage

EAP

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Pension Plan

403(b) Plan

Paid Time Off

11 Holidays

Job summary

YWCA Greater Harrisburg seeks a full-time Sexual Assault Services Specialist to coordinate and provide expert advocacy for survivors. The role includes trauma-informed screening, crisis intervention, safety planning, hospital-based response, and ongoing support, with emphasis on survivor autonomy and confidentiality.

Requirements include a Bachelor's in human services or related field (or an Associate's with 2 years experience), experience with survivors, strong communication, collaboration with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human services, criminal justice, or related field; or an Associate's Degree with 2 years of relevant experience.
• 2 years experience working with survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, trauma, or related human-services populations strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of sexual violence, trauma responses, victim rights, advocacy, safety planning, and community resources.
• Ability to build trusting relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Strong communication, crisis-response, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate with hospitals, law enforcement, courts, community providers, and multidisciplinary partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and support survivor-directed decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the program's primary specialized resource for sexual assault services and survivor response.
• Provide individualized, trauma-informed advocacy, crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referral, and ongoing support to survivors of sexual violence.
• Help ensure that clients are appropriately screened for sexual violence and connected to specialized services when identified.
• Maintain contact with sexual assault survivors and coordinate services across advocacy, counseling, medical, legal, and community systems.
• Provide hospital-based sexual assault response and accompaniment, including support before, during, and after forensic care when requested.
• Coordinate warm referrals and follow-up with counseling, legal advocacy, medical services, law enforcement, victim services, and other resources.
• Develop and maintain relationships with hospitals and community partners; participate in case consultations and quality-improvement activities.

Skills

Crisis response

Trauma-informed practice

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services, criminal justice, or related field

Associate's Degree with 2 years of relevant experience

Job description

YWCA Greater Harrisburg seeks a full-time Sexual Assault Services Specialist to coordinate and provide expert advocacy for survivors. The role includes trauma-informed screening, crisis intervention, safety planning, hospital-based response, and ongoing support, with emphasis on survivor autonomy and confidentiality.

Requirements include a Bachelor's in human services or related field (or an Associate's with 2 years experience), experience with survivors, strong communication, collaboration with