Advocacy Specialist (GA Sexual Assault Kit Initiative)

The Advocacy Specialist provides delivery of direct-victim advocacy services to persons victimized by sexual assault/ child sexual abuse and is needed specifically due to the volume of contacts and cases handled by the Metro Atlanta Sexual Assault Task Force Cold Case Unit. This is a primary service role which includes the delivery of crisis intervention support and victim accompaniment services (medical, legal, and other). This position provides direct personal victim and/ or family advocacy. The Advocacy Specialist must demonstrate the ability to remain calm and respond to individuals in crisis and emergency situations; and handle traumatic and sensitive situations.

The Advocacy Specialist is responsible for case management, client intake, disposition tracking, and data-management for all persons/ families victimized by sexual violence/ abuse including child, adolescent and adult victims, families, friends, and associates. The Advocacy Specialist works closely with other members of the Task Force and allied professionals through collaborative protocols.  The Advocacy Specialist works side-by-side with all Task Force members to assure competent, effective and accessible high-quality care and services for all victims.

This position must have an extensive working knowledge of victim and family advocacy and specifically violence against women advocacy; county protocols; community service provider agencies; approved service referral professionals and resources. This position must hold exceptional sexual assault victim services expertise.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide effective and efficient direct personal advocacy and crisis intervention services (as defined by the Victims of Crime Act), including but not limited to: safety planning, in-person advocacy, family advocacy, accompaniment, information referral and crisis line response for individuals and families victimized by incidents of sexual assault. Some flexibility with work hours may be required in order to meet client needs, possibly including some night and weekend hours.
• Complete follow-up contacts with victims in accordance with agency policy and timelines.
• Knowledge of community resources and provide appropriate information and professional referrals (counseling, medical, legal, other) using referral resources. Assist victims and family members in securing rights, remedies and accessing services from other agencies in-state and out of state.
• Administer due diligence to be assured each victim is aware of their rights as a crime victim and that they understand those rights in accordance with the criminal and civil justice system.  Educate the victim and families on the criminal justice system and assist in interagency communications.
• Coordinate and assist all members of the Task Force with victim-centered, trauma-informed notifications to victims whose sexual assault kit testing has resulted in the reopening of their cold case sexual assault case.
• Connect clients to counseling and other services as needed; process requests for financial assistance when client assistance funds are available.

• Demonstrate computer, clerical, administrative and organization skills and compliance.  Maintain compliance with all data management and information technology systems and relative requirements and practices. Perform with competence the utilization of all PC Windows software including Excel; Access; Outlook; Word; Power-Point; Adobe, etc. This shall also include customized case/data management systems.  Comply with all LiveSafe Resources policies pertaining to LiveSafe Resources internet access and use.
• On call 24 hours/day for medical forensic exam accompaniment calls as scheduled, either as back-up or first responder. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong communication skills required to effectively communicate with a broad range of individuals.
• Ability to prioritize various aspects of the job is a key to success.
• Strong problem-solving skills required.  Must be a “common sense” thinker and quick decision maker, when necessary.
• Must display professionalism and leadership qualities when dealing with other organizations, volunteers, board members, and staff.
• May be required to lift boxes up to 25 lbs.

MINIMUM CREDENTIALS AND EXPERIENCE:      

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services field, preferably in psychology; social and behavioral sciences; criminal justice; or related field. Master’s Degree preferred in field of psychology; social work and/ or behavioral sciences. Bi-lingual (Spanish/ English preferred). Advanced education or training in law enforcement and/ or victim services, pre-law or paralegal.

Prefer 3-years direct-victim service client experience in child sexual abuse; sexual assault/ domestic violence.  Familiar with data case tracking, case management and multi-disciplinary team protocols.

One-year of responsible experience in victim-witness advocacy assignments may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.