Victim Advocate

Full-time position collaborating with social services, tribal court, law enforcement, probation, and behavioral health to provide victim service coordination.

About the role

The Victim Advocate will work directly with victims of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, including adults and youth, both while in shelter and out of shelter. The Advocate will offer victims information, emotional support, and assistance finding resources, developing safety plans, and transition plans. The Advocate may accompany victims to court and work with partnering programs or organizations to connect victims with direct or support services. Once trained, certified, or credentialed, Advocates may staff a crisis hotline, run support groups, or provide in-person counseling. Advocates will also work with private non-profit organizations such as sexual assault crisis centers, shelters, or related domestic violence services not available locally.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the planning and implementation process of the Omaha Family Violence Program.
• Provide direct services at "Laura's House" (DV shelter); maintain confidentiality and safety in the shelter, including advocacy and accompaniment.
• Be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including on-call, after hours, holidays, and weekends.
• Assist and educate residents in maintaining a clean and neat environment during their shelter stay, including issuing the shelter handbook, meal preparation, laundry, schedules, and appointments.
• Provide information on victimization, crime prevention, victims' legal rights and protections, and the criminal justice process.
• Offer emotional support to victims.
• Assist victims with safety planning, victim compensation applications, and submitting comments to courts and probation.
• Intervene with creditors, landlords, and employers on behalf of victims.
• Assist victims in finding shelter (surrounding area) and transportation.
• Provide referrals for other services for victims.
• Deliver group and individual community education services, primarily educating victims on domestic violence, sexual assault, date-rape, and stalking.
• Serve as the community contact point for victims of violence; participate in planning and program development as a member of the Planning Team.
• Work closely with partnering programs and agencies to provide prevention and awareness activities.
• Assist victims in completing their treatment and/or case plan goals, objectives, and activities.
• Collaborate on system assessment and project evaluation to address programmatic strengths and weaknesses, ensuring formative improvement.
• Assist in creating assessment tools to gather detailed information on the number of victims served and document services provided.
• Develop protocols to promote partnerships and collaborations, defining their purpose, relevance, and roles.
• Lead ongoing review and update of victim services, policies, and procedures.
• Work in partnership with the criminal justice system (e.g., police stations, prosecutor's offices, courts, probation, parole departments, or prisons).
• Report any threats to a person (e.g., clients threatening to hurt themselves or others) and report abuse or neglect of children.
• Maintain records and data using computer software for reporting, statistical databases, and management information systems (e.g., tracking shelter days and client interaction time).
• Assist in preparing monthly, semi-annual, and annual reports as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or AA Degree preferred; high school diploma or GED accepted.
• Minimum of two years' experience working with victims of crime or abuse, or experience in a related field.
• Valid driver's license and insurable.
• Understanding of Omaha culture, tribal systems, and tribal referral processes.
• Quality computer skills and public speaking skills; ability to provide community lectures and education on topics such as trauma, domestic violence, strengthening families, sexual assault, and stalking.