Advocacy Coordinator
Title: Advocacy Coordinator
Mission and Values:
Collins Center is a sexual assault response and advocacy organization that serves Rockingham, Page and Warren Counties, and the Cities of Harrisonburg. Our mission is to promote healing through compassionate and collaborative services to all affected by sexual harm. We pursue our mission by offering a continuum of specialized services with an emphasis on support, advocacy, counseling, education, and a nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center (CAC).
Collins Center operates under a set of core values that include being responsive to suggestions, influences, appeals, and efforts to meet our mission; acting with integrity, and adhering to a strong moral code of ethical professional practice; being accountable to our clients, staff, volunteers, donors, partners, and community; maintaining absolute confidentiality in the delivery of our client services, and engendering trust in all our interactions. These values guide our work with each other and with the communities we serve.
Job Summary:
The Advocacy Coordinator is a full-time, salaried position and an important member of the Collins Center team. Reporting to the Associate Director and working closely with the Collins Center advocates and therapists, the Advocacy Coordinator helps ensure that primary and secondary victims of sexual violence are offered quality services in a highly coordinated way. This role requires travel to our satellite location in Page County, VA and includes some night/weekend hotline coverage.
Responsibilities:
Coordinate crisis assessment and provide advocacy services to clients at all stages of involvement with the Collins Center.
Ensure a consistent and comprehensive network of support for all clients by working with allied agencies including but not limited to law enforcement, social services, victim/witness program, the Commonwealth Attorney’s office and medical professionals.
Collaborate with CPS and other Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) members in pre- and post- forensic interview meetings and coordinate referrals and follow up services needed.
Participate in CACVA advocacy-related meetings and attend trainings and conferences relevant to advocacy best practices.
Participate in Collins Center staff, crisis, and supervisory meetings as scheduled.
Document demographic information on all Collins Center cases in order to report monthly, quarterly and annual statistical reports, and submit grant reports in a timely manner.
Conduct education and training in child abuse awareness, prevention, and response in the community.
Collaborate with the Associate Director to ensure excellent hotline services through training of contract hotline staff, review of hotline policies and oversight of hotline shifts/backup support.
Work as a team member with other staff and volunteers in order to achieve the mission of the Collins Center, including providing community outreach programs, assisting in special events, and/or professional trainings when needed.
All the essential responsibilities of the Family/Victim Advocate position.
Qualifications and Skills:
Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, criminal justice, psychology or related subject area or equivalent professional experience in related field.
Minimum of 3 years experience working as victim advocate, case manager or related role - applicants should have experience coordinating services for individuals and/or families.
Excellent interpersonal skills; able to coordinate between diverse groups and individuals including partner agencies, allied professionals, primary and secondary victims.
Demonstrated cultural humility, with sensitivity to and knowledge of diverse populations.
Ability to supervise less experienced staff, volunteers and interns
The Collins Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, The Collins Center complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Employment is dependent upon the successful completion of a background check, including criminal and CPS clearances.
Collins Center is a drug free workplace.