GENERAL SUMMARY
The Viejas Tribal Council seeks to improve the well-being of Viejas Tribal Members and their families by providing culturally appropriate victim advocacy services. Under the supervision of the Viejas Wellness Program Project Managers, the Crime Victims Advocate (CVA) will be responsible for the development of activities and providing direct advocacy for crime victims. The CVA will coordinate with community partners such as law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, probation and parole, first responders and other individuals/agencies in implementing a variety of strategies, including information-sharing and training, community awareness and outreach campaigns, CVA response protocols and case reviews. The CVA will provide acute and long-term advocacy for victims of the Viejas community. The CVA will be available to provide advocacy for victims when dealing with the courts, law enforcement, medical staff, and shelter resources; emergency responses to victims, including accompanying victims to medical facilities, help accessing a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, shelter facilities for emergency shelter, food, and clothing; assistance in filing orders of protection in the appropriate Tribal, county or, when necessary, state court; safety planning, and ongoing evaluation of case status, develop safety plans with victims and their children and referrals to appropriate tribal and community resources. The CVA will participate in training and education on issues related to interpersonal violence and substance abuse.
CORE SCOPE OF POSITION
- Ensure a person-centered response and access to community resources
- Advocate holding offenders accountable
- Promote community awareness of interpersonal violence and substance abuse as community problems and community responsibilities to prevent
- Host community awareness and outreach activities
- Provide intensive case management services to Tribal Members and their families who are victims of interpersonal violence, human trafficking, and other crimes and substance abuse
- Accompany victims to law enforcement agencies to complete police reports
- Accompany victims to medical facilities for emergency treatment
- Accompany victims to shelter and other agencies for emergency shelter, food, and clothing
- Determine the strengths (social, emotional, physical, and mental) of victims and their children and develop safety and service plans
- Evaluate ongoing service needs of victims and their children, adjust service plans, and refer to appropriate tribal and community resources
- Accompany victims to court and assist in the filing orders of protection and advocate during hearings
- Attend trainings and workshops
- Develop and conduct in-service trainings, public presentations and educational workshops for law enforcement, medical and mental health professionals, other tribal and community agencies and the community
- Maintain caseload and case files
- Complete monthly statistical reports
- Maintain client confidentiality
- Conduct other duties as assigned
INTERACTION
- Works with Viejas Wellness Program Project Managers, and interacts with Viejas Tribal Members and their families, Tribal Council and Staff, and Viejas Team Members.
SUPERVISION
- No expectation of supervising other team members.
Required Skills
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION
- Preferred, Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field.
- Valid California driver’s license, current vehicle insurance and reliable transportation
- Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends
EXPERIENCE
- 2 years of experience working with victims of interpersonal violence and substance abuse. A combination of education and experience can be considered in lieu of Bachelor’s degree.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, and appropriately, with community members
- Ability to work independently, take initiative, and be proactive
- Ability to track and manage time effectively
- Experience/familiarity with computers, Microsoft Office products (Word/Excel), business e-mail communication systems and internet search capabilities
- Lived experience with some of the challenges to well-being in the community
Required Experience