Victim Advocate/Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor
Victim Service Center of Central Florida employment opportunities for Victim Advocate/Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor
Victim Service Center is the only certified rape crisis center in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. Join us and to help victims heal. Provide individualized victim focused services and resources to victims of violent crime, sexual assault and traumatic circumstances within the 24/7 advocacy department. This position requires staff to be responsible to assist individuals via a helpline and/or to respond in person to provide accompaniment during forensic exam, when scheduled. Hotline shifts include nights, weekend, and holidays.
Full Time – Non-Exempt
Qualifications
- Master’s Degree REQUIRED in counseling, psychology, mental health, social work, or other related social services field.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred.
- Successfully pass a criminal background check and E-verify.
- Possess a valid Florida Driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance, and have a satisfactory driving record.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to remain calm and respond to individuals in crisis and emergency situations.
- Ability to interact positively with unique individuals of all ages, genders, religions, cultures, ethnicities, attitudes, beliefs, other characteristics without discrimination.
- Knowledge of law enforcement and court procedures.
- Ability to respond to and handle graphic and sensitive situations including violent crime scenes.
- Basic computer skills including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Understand and protect client confidentiality.
- Successful completion of the FCASV core training within 30 days of employment.
- Successful completion of the OAG Victim Practitioner Designation Training within first year of employment.
- Ability to work independently and make decisions in accordance with established policies and regulations.
- Ability to work a non-traditional schedule and respond to call outs when assigned to hotline coverage.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITY:
Information and Referral 20%
- Information about the criminal justice process
- Information about victim rights, how to obtain notification, etc.
- Referral to other victim service programs
- Referral to other services, supports and resources (includes legal, medical and other service providers.
Personal Advocacy / Accompaniment 20%
- Victim advocacy/ accompaniment to emergency medical care
- Victim accompaniment to medical forensic exam
- Law enforcement interview advocacy/ accompaniment
- Criminal Advocacy / accompaniment service/ support
- Civil Advocacy/ accompaniment (includes assistance with protection orders)
- Prosecution interview advocacy/ accompaniment
- Intervention with employer, creditor, landlord or academic institution
- Transportation assistance
- Interpreter services
- Assistance with victim compensation
Emotional Support or Safety Services 25%
- Crisis Intervention (in person includes safety planning)
- Hotline/ Crisis line counseling
- Individual Counseling
- On scene crisis response
- Therapeutic support
- Support groups (facilitated)
- Emergency financial assistance
Shelter/ Housing Services 5%
- Relocation assistance
Criminal/ Civil Justice system assistance 15%
- Notification of criminal justice events (case status, court proceedings, etc.)
- Victim impact statement assistance
- Emergency justice related assistance
- Civil legal attorney assistance in obtaining protection or restraining order
- Civil legal attorney assistance with family law issues
- Other civil legal attorney assistance (landlord, employment, etc.)
- Criminal advocacy /accompaniment service
- Civil Advocacy / accompaniment service
Travel 5%
- Required to travel to and from hospitals, crime scenes, court, victim homes, etc. in the provision of services.
Case Review 2.5%
- Meetings and one to one meetings with supervisor to discuss case status.
Mandatory Training 2.5%
- Attendance at Victim Services Practitioner Training, CORE training for Sexual assault and continuing education to maintain practitioner status.
Data Collection 5%
- Documentation of services provided and accurately obtaining and maintaining civil rights information (gender, race, national origin, age, disability, etc.) about victims served.
Other duties as assigned.
ADA Compliance
Physical Ability: tasks involve extended periods at work station or keyboard. Tasks involve driving primarily but not exclusively in Central Florida at various hours of the night or day. Tasks involve working a flexible schedule that will include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Sensory Requirements: verbal and written communication is required. Tasks may involve exposure via sight and smell of bodily fluids, evidence bearing clothing and violent crime scenes. Tasks involve listening and responding to intimate physical knowledge of a crime against a victim.
Environmental Factors: tasks may involve contact with angry or potentially violent individuals. Tasks may involve contact with individuals with known and unknown diseases. Tasks may include contact with individuals under the influence of either legal or illegal substances.
Job Type: Full-time
Please note: If you are selected for a position, employees are required to undergo a full fingerprint based background check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and FBI including a Sexual Offender database search. Criminal records including illegal drug offenses, violence, violence against children, and weapons charges will not be accepted. Criminal records will be assessed on a case by case basis.
The Victim Service Center of Central Florida does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, assignment, training, promotion or termination of staff and volunteers, selection of members of the governing board, nor the provision of services based on race, color, religion, disability, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, age, ethnicity, income, veteran status, marital status, or any other factor prohibited by federal, state or local laws, rules and regulations (collectively referred to as “Protected Status”).
Please send resume to: marketing@victimservicecenter.org
No Phone Calls Please.
VSC’s Dual Relationships/ Conflict of Interest policy, establishes a minimum of 7 years following closure for a former client to be considered for employment.