On-site Victim Advocate - Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA

About the role

The Victim Advocate (VA) position supports the Army’s Victim Advocacy Program (VAP) which provides comprehensive services 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, to assist and advocate for victims of domestic abuse and to ensure a victim's easy transition to community resources.

Responsibilities

• Provides crisis intervention and comprehensive services to include emotional support, arrangement of transportation; accompany victims to medical, legal and/or law enforcement appointments (when requested), assist in securing protective orders, emergency food and/or shelter and information benefits.
• Works directly with victims to ensure that expressed needs are advocated and presented to personnel at intervening agencies.
• Affords victims of domestic abuse sensitive, confidential and immediate comprehensive care and treatment needed to restore health and well-being.
• Performs initial screening, non-clinical risk and lethality assessment and safety planning with victims of domestic abuse.
• Affords victims of domestic abuse emotional support, crisis intervention, prevention awareness and education.
• Liaises with the installation Family Advocacy Program Manager (FAPM) to ensure that comprehensive victim services and training are provided through a coordinated community response to domestic abuse victims, Family Members, Soldiers and Civilians authorized to receive services at a Military Treatment Facility.
• Provides crisis intervention and a warm hand off to community resources for victims who are not eligible for services through a Military Treatment Facility.
• Provides information on victim rights, services and resources available on and/or off the installation.
• Coordinates with the (FAPM) to develop procedures that ensure victims of domestic abuse receive timely and appropriate information.
• When contacted by a victim of domestic abuse, makes contact either telephonically within 20 minutes or face to face within 60 minutes (when requested) by the victim.
• Explains FAP disclosure and reporting options during the initial contact to ensure that the victim makes informed decisions about disclosing information regarding the abuse.
• Ensures that first responders (Emergency Medical Services and or law enforcement etc.) are contacted immediately during crisis situations where there is imminent harm to the victim, their children or program staff.
• Operates within established guidelines of the FAP and the Victim Advocacy Program, AR 608-18.
• Conducts domestic abuse training and awareness programs to educate Soldiers and Family members and Civilians.
• Understands Problematic Sexual Behavior- Child and Youth (PSB-CY) Guide client families through the investigative process, encourage their participation in the process, and help them understand their rights as a victim of a crime.
• Formulates appropriate intervention strategies to improve a family’s coping skills during a child abuse case investigation and prosecution process.
• Identifies and makes every attempt to meet the needs of children and families who may be in crisis.
• Edifies non-offending caregivers about the dynamics and possible long-term consequences of child abuse.
• Assesses family needs and encourages non-offending caregivers to participate in recommended services and counseling.
• Provides information and assistance with completing Crime Victims' Compensation applications.
• Serves as a liaison between the family and multidisciplinary team members as needed.
• Affords multidisciplinary team members in identifying client needs and providing recommendations.
• Represents the child and family’s best interest at multidisciplinary team case review meetings.
• Accompanies non-offending caregivers to court or other appointments, when requested.
• Participates in relevant community awareness, campaigns and prevention events.
• Maintains ongoing case management, all data entry must be completed within three business days.
• Ensures daily contact with a victim while in crisis and no less than every 30 days when not in crisis.
• When a victim departs the servicing area, case shall be transferred as appropriate, when advocacy services are completed, the case will be closed as appropriate, with concurrence from the FAPM.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited school in social work, psychology, marriage, family and child counseling, counseling or behavior science, education, community health or public health.
• Two (2) years’ experience working with victims of domestic abuse/sexual assault violence or victim advocacy services.
• Must be available to provide crisis intervention services 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
• Willing to travel within an estimated 50-mile radius of the assigned work location.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of domestic violence and sexual assault issues.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Benefits

Details on benefits will be provided during the interview process.

Pay

$30,000 - $45,000 based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Part time positions vary in hours from 12 – 35 hours per week. Flexible schedule is required for this position, as you will be asked to work primarily nights, weekends, and some hours during the day, depending on the needs of the installation.