Crime Victim Advocate

Position Description: WHAT YOU'LL DO
The primary role of the Crime Victim Advocate is to effectively coordinate care for victims in Orange County while acting as a liaison with the Office of Victim Services (OVS) Vocational Rehabilitation Unit and the New York Civil Legal Network. This dedicated advocate supports individuals affected by various forms of victimization, including but not limited to human trafficking, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and other criminal acts.
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
Our start as a grassroots, small group of committed individuals began in 1986. We have expanded and grown to an increasingly bold and empowered agency that advocates for change while supporting survivors in Orange and Sullivan Counties in NY.
THE FEARLESS! MISSION
To build an informed, just, and accountable society so all people can experience supportive and safe relationships free from abuse, exploitation, and oppression. We do this through education, prevention, advocacy, and providing comprehensive services, including shelter, to victims and survivors of interpersonal violence, human trafficking, sexual violence, and other types of crime victimization.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
The Fearless! Crime Victim Advocate is:
\tPassionate about ending gender-based violence, racism, classism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, ableism, and all forms of oppression.
\tSelf-motivated and invested in continuous growth, training, and skill building.
\tCollaborative and works effectively with colleagues, clients, and community partners.
\tConfident and able to learn quickly, make an immediate impact, and contribute value-added service to clients, community partners, and colleagues.
\tFlexible and adaptable to operating in an ever-changing fast, paced environment.
\tCommitted to being an effective communicator who connects and builds relationships with colleagues, clients, and community partners.
\tHuman-centric and solution-focused, keeping the client's needs the driving force.
WHAT YOU'LL BRING ALONG
\tMust have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, international relations, or a related field or equivalent work experience in providing Direct Crisis Counseling and \tAdvocacy Services.
\tMust be knowledgeable in Microsoft Office programs and have experience with client management software.
\tExperience creating presentations, facilitating programs, and providing training for large groups.
\tValid Driver's License, Auto Insurance, and reliable transportation to travel between the agency's office sites and other locations throughout the service region.
\tPhysical demands include but are not limited to long periods of sitting, standing, walking, driving, lifting up to 50 pounds, and navigating stairs.

POSITION TITLE: Crime Victim Case Manager Advocate
REPORTS TO: Legal Services Advocacy Program Manager \t
CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time, Non-exempt
PAY RATE: Hourly Rate Range - $21.15 22.59
PRIMARY WORKSITE(s): District Attorney's Office, Goshen, NY, Orange County
WORK HOURS: Typically, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with flexibility around evenings, weekends, and holidays. Note, primarily business hours with evening shifts require one holiday per year.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Advocacy & Program Specific Responsibilities
\tCoordinate with Assistant District Attorneys in supporting and meeting with victims for interviews, Grand Jury appearances, and other necessary meetings.
\tLiaise between victims and assigned Assistant District Attorneys throughout criminal cases, providing essential and up-to-date information to Assistant District \tAttorneys regarding case developments, restitution, violations of orders of protection, and victims' needs and concerns.
\tSupport victims in understanding the criminal justice system, provide case information and ensure they know their rights.
\tAssist with necessary legal remedies, including orders of protection, supporting depositions, registration for notification of inmate release, address confidentiality program enrollment, etc.
\tProvide critical outreach and supportive services to domestic violence victims throughout the criminal prosecution process.
\tProvide clients with information regarding the NYS Office of Victims Services, assist with filing applications for OVS compensation, and serve as a liaison between clients and OVS.
\tServe as the primary point of contact with the OVS Vocational Rehabilitation Unit and New York State Civil Legal Network.
\tProvide comprehensive advocacy services, including safety planning, supportive individual and group counseling, assistance in preparing court documents, court and social service agencies accompaniment, and referrals and information to outside agencies and providers (i.e., legal, housing, transportation, and economical options).
\tProvide culturally informed, trauma-responsive crisis intervention and nonjudgmental, supportive, comprehensive services to clients, including, but not limited to, \tassessments; intakes; individual and group supportive counseling; advocacy and accompaniment; follow-up contact, as safe and appropriate, and outreach; and information and referrals.
\tProvide on-call advocacy outside of traditional business hours, as scheduled.
\tProactively collaborate with agency staff within the Family Justice Center, residential settings, and collocated offices to strengthen program knowledge to ensure efficient client support.
\tWork closely and collaboratively with the project coordinator, law enforcement, social service caseworkers, and other community partner organizations while supporting the advocacy needs and safety planning of child and youth victims of trafficking.
Worksite Safety & Hygiene
\tActively engaging in basic housekeeping, maintenance, organization of donations, and other assigned tasks.
\tProactively monitor the overall condition of the agency and ensure the maintenance of a clean, welcoming environment for individuals accessing services.
\tAdhere to and uphold agency policies and protocols related to client and service records' Physical and electronic security.
Administrative & Agency Responsibilities
\tContribute toward fostering inclusive and supportive work environments throughout the agency.
\tWork closely and collaboratively with the Director of Community Services and other supervisory staff, as appropriate, to understand and accomplish position \tresponsibilities.
\tAttend and actively participate in supervision with the Director of Community Services, program-specific and agency-wide meetings, training, awareness month activities, and agency events.
\tMaintain the confidentiality of clients, staff, volunteers, and agency information, including adherence to agency policies and protocols related to the security of electronic client service records.
\tMaintain the confidentiality of clients, staff, volunteers, and agency information. Exceptions include information about child abuse, danger to self or others, or in response to an authorized release of information.
\tMaintain the highest levels of accuracy in recordkeeping and reporting, ensuring that all client records and documentation of work activities are complete and up-to-date and submitted to the supervisor as directed.
\tAccurate and timely records and documents of outreach, training, and other work tasks are complete, up-to-date, and submitted to the supervisor as directed.
\tAttend and proactively participate in assigned webinars, agency, and external training, including awareness month activities and agency events for clients.
\tEnsure timely response and follow-up to email communication and voicemail messages.
\tStaff members are encouraged to be flexible and responsive to changes in the scope of duties, including other duties as assigned by immediate and other supervisors.
Additional Must-Have Requirements
\tAbility to model and uphold appropriate boundaries in work with clients, colleagues, supervisors, and the community.
\tDemonstrates good judgment with the ability to make timely and sound decisions.
\tExperience with data management and knowledge of Microsoft Office.
\tExcellent organizational and time management skills and ability to work in a fast-paced, crisis-oriented environment: assess priorities, take the initiative, handle multiple assignments, maintain organization, and meet deadlines.
\tPossess strong communication skills (both oral and written).
\tAbility to maintain effective working relationships with others, communicate as needed, and exhibit patience and understanding toward the client population served.
\tExperience working with diverse populations and seeking an understanding of cultural differences.
\tUnderstand and work from a feminist philosophy of empowerment and support the agency's mission.
\tDisplay commitment to ending violence against humans and a commitment to social change through active participation in working towards ending racism, classism, \tsexism, ageism, homophobia, ableism, and all forms of oppression; demonstrate a willingness to gain an understanding of issues of oppression, battering, and sexual assault.
Bonus Qualifications:
\tDirect experience navigating legal systems, social services, and other community resources is preferred.
\tBilingual/bicultural candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Fearless! Hudson Valley is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, culturally inclusive work environment and prohibits discrimination due to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender and identity, disability, and national origin in employment and delivery of services. All are encouraged to apply.
All jobs are contingent upon successfully completing certain background checks, including criminal history, employment verification, education verification, DMV checks (for driving positions), State Central Registry, State Exclusion List, and fingerprinting, unless prohibited by applicable law.
This description reflects the principal functions of the job for job evaluation. It should not be construed as a detailed description of all job work requirements, nor shall it be construed as giving exclusive responsibility for every function described.
In addition, you will be expected to abide by the organization's rules and policies as outlined in our Employee Handbook. In particular, you will have access to Fearless! Hudson Valley's confidential information, including employee and client information. By signing this offer letter, you agree to abide by Fearless!'s confidentiality policies outlined under the "Conflicts of Interest and Confidentiality" section of the Employee Handbook. In addition, if a dispute may arise concerning your employment at Fearless!, by signing this offer letter, you and Fearless! agree to the arbitration agreement as outlined in the attached Arbitration Agreement.

$21.15 - $22.59 Hourly