Victim Advocate

McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center; City of Syracuse (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center in Syracuse, NY seeks a Victim Advocate to provide direct support and advocacy for child victims and families. You will coordinate services with a multidisciplinary team to ensure timely access to medical, mental health, and legal resources while maintaining confidentiality and professional standards.

The role involves needs assessments, referrals, NYS OVS compensation claims, court support, and ongoing communication with clients and providers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, human services, or related field.
• Experience with children and families affected by trauma is strongly preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Bilingual/bicultural applicants are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Connect families with essential services such as medical care, mental health treatment, housing, public aid, food, clothing, and domestic violence resources.
• Conduct needs assessments and make appropriate referrals.
• Assist victims and non-offending family members with NYS OVS compensation claims.
• Offer court support including preparation, accompaniment, and guidance throughout legal proceedings.
• Provide case updates to service providers and legal personnel as needed.
• Participate in MDT meetings to support coordinated responses.
• Refer victims for medical evaluations and accompany them when requested.
• Maintain regular contact with clients via phone, in-person, or virtual meetings.
• Maintain accurate, confidential case files and service records.
• Attend trainings to stay current on advocacy standards.
• Participate in rotating on-call shifts, including evenings and weekends.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Bilingual abilities

Education

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

Job description

The Victim Advocate provides direct support and advocacy services to child victims and their families. Serving as a liaison between families, service providers, and the community, the Advocate ensures that all individuals receive timely and appropriate resources and support. This role works closely with a multidisciplinary team (MDT) to coordinate services, monitor case progress, and address service gaps. Confidentiality, empathy, and professionalism are key components of this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Connect families with essential services such as medical care, mental health treatment, housing assistance, public aid, food, clothing, and domestic violence resources
• Conduct needs assessments and makes appropriate referrals

Advocacy & Legal Support

• Assist victims and non-offending family members by completing and submitting NYS Office of Victim Services (OVS) compensation claims
• Offer court support including preparation, accompaniment, and guidance throughout legal proceedings
• Provide case updates to service providers and legal personnel as necessary (e.g., case status, court dates, sentencing)

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

• Participate actively in MDT meetings to support coordinated responses
• Accompany and support families during investigative interviews or law enforcement involvement, including emergency on-call responses

Medical Support

• Refer victims for medical evaluations and accompany them when requested

Ongoing Communication & Follow-Up

• Maintain regular contact with clients via phone, in-person, or virtual meetings to ensure continued support and follow-up on services.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate and confidential case files, service records, and statistical data
• Administer client satisfaction surveys, contributing to quality assurance efforts

Professional Development & Training

• Attend required meetings, in-service training, and relevant external training to stay informed on best practices and advocacy standards

On-Call Rotation

• Participate in rotating on-call schedule to include evenings and weekends to provide immediate advocacy during emergency forensic interviews after hours.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, human services, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with children and families affected by trauma is strongly preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work with individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Bilingual/bicultural applicants are encouraged to apply.
• Must maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to professional ethical standards.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation may be required.

About Us

McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center (MMRCAC) is committed to supporting and protecting children and families impacted by abuse and trauma. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at all levels of our organization. We do not discriminate based on any protected class or status under the law.