Job Description

How many times have you stopped and thought that job was meant for me? Well Hand Up Network has an amazing opportunity to join our growing family. If you enjoy making connections between people and resources, are an effective communicator, and enjoy helping your community, then this is the job for you! Join our team as a Victim Services Advocate and make a direct impact on the victims of East Texas.

The advocate is responsible for using sound professional judgment and best practices to ensure quality case management, mentoring, and advocacy services are provided to the service population, especially in crisis situations, while maintaining compliance with established program, state, and federal standards.

As a Victim Services Advocate, you will assist victims of crime by providing a full range of services including assistance with case status updates, community referrals, and community awareness. The Victim Services Advocate must be willing to work non-traditional hours and respond to victim crisis situations as well as assess the welfare of the victim.

Examples of Work :

Initiate contact with victims of violent crimes; advise crime victims of their rights and assist them in navigating through the criminal justice system. Make initial and ongoing contact with victim in timely manner via telephone, email, or mail to explain criminal justice process, victims' rights, and services available, and to notify of case status

Independently coordinate referrals, service planning and documentation of services for assigned caseload. Provide comprehensive, trauma-informed service and safety planning, including immediate risk reduction and short-term therapeutic interventions. Act as a liaison with stakeholders, including legal providers, child protection, law enforcement, federal partners and others, and ensure both program and local protocol are followed. Accept crisis calls and provide support to families in crisis. Analyze, develop, and implement policy and procedural improvements. Interviewing and collecting information from victims and preparation of victim impact statements for known individuals who are victims of crime. Maintain on-going communication with victims regarding status of cases and to address safety concerns. Provide ongoing emotional support, encouragement, and information to victims as the case moves through the criminal justice system; provide support during Board proceedings, as needed; update victims regarding the ongoing status of the case. Be an advocate for victim's rights as a representative of the criminal justice system. Participate in committees and community groups that address domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and other victim issues. Initiate and maintain case logs, document case activities, and maintain files. Perform routine administrative duties, including preparing mail. May be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
Qualifications / Requirements :

PREFERRED: bachelor's degree in the social sciences, criminal justice, or related fields. or relevant experience

REQUIRED: Ability to speak Spanish

OTHER: Valid driver's license. Regular and reliable attendance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Abilities:

Write the required reports, case plans, chronological notes. Communicate with victims, victim advocates, clients, Board of Parole, judges, law enforcement, families, and other stakeholders. Read and interpret police reports, mental health evaluations, chemical evaluations. Maintain workload of writing reports and contacting victims involved in cases.
Knowledge of:

Crisis intervention techniques and case management responsibilities. Conflict resolution techniques. Human behavior and needs at times of crime and crisis. Behavioral health, social services, and other community resources. The criminal justice system.
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $35,568.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee discount Flexible schedule Health insurance Paid time off
Language:

Bilingual (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:

Tyler, TX 75702 (Preferred)
Ability to Relocate:

Tyler, TX 75702: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:

25% (Preferred)
Work Location: In person