Lead Victim Advocate – The Crisis Center – Tampa, FL

Position Summary

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay brings help, hope and healing to people facing serious life challenges or trauma resulting from sexual assault or abuse, domestic violence, financial distress, substance abuse, medical emergency, suicidal thoughts, emotional or situational problems. The Lead Victim Advocate promotes a sense of team and collaboration to the Sexual Assault Services staff and volunteer advocates. This position develops community relationships, provides outreach, manages and supports department volunteers and interns as well provides advocacy and support for the department as a whole. This position reports to the Advocate Manager and his/her absence to the Director of Sexual Assault Services.

Strategic/Transformational Duties and Responsibilities

• Identifies and develops relationships with community service providers and systems to enhance services to victims.
• Coordinates culturally inclusive outreach to underrepresented populations including rural Hillsborough County and the LGBT community. This position will be responsible for identifying and developing community partnerships and collaborations to these populations.
• Develops and trains new volunteers and interns and provides ongoing support and guidance. This position will assist the SAS Advocates by providing staffing for advocate cases and by providing advocacy for individuals who have been victims of sexual assault and their significant others.

Transactional/Administrative Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate community partnerships and collaborations to strengthen Sexual Assault Services to underrepresented populations in Hillsborough County.
• Train, develop and oversee volunteer and intern Sexual Assault Services Advocates.
• Maintain and develop relationships with community service providers and systems.
• Assist Sexual Assault Services Advocates with case management.
• Provide advocacy and information and referral services to victims of sexual assault and their significant others.
• Assist with Crimes Compensation forms.
• Participate in community awareness activities.
• Improve service delivery within the overall structure of the CCTB/SAS.
• Oversee internal systems of operation.
• Responsible for data collection and reporting.
• Document client cases in a timely manner following protocol.
• Conduct intake interviews with potential clients.
• Assist in coordination of clinical services.
• Represent the Agency at appropriate meetings or task forces.
• Assist with training programs related to issues of sexual abuse.
• On-call responsibilities during afterhours and holidays.
• Other duties as appropriate.

Required Competencies

• Cooperation/Teamwork – Works toward win/win solutions. Deals with conflict collaboratively. Discusses root causes underlying the problem. Develops effective working relationships.
• Engaging Communication – Relates to people in an open, honest, sincere manner. Treats people with respect. Is friendly and approachable. Listens attentively to others. Communicates ideas clearly. Communicates appropriately with leadership and coworkers.
• Customer Service (Internal & External) – Recognizes and attends to important details with accuracy and efficiency. Treats customers courteously. Responds to customer requests in a timely manner. Elicits feedback from customers to monitor their satisfaction. Considers both short and long-term interests of the customer in making service decisions. Proactively identifies customer needs. Takes responsibility to resolve customer complaints. Takes business or personal risks to serve customers’ long-term interests. Creates strategies to help the organization serve customers more effectively
• Adaptability – Adapts readily to changes. Works effectively under stress. Needs minimal supervision. Comfortable working in a fast paced environment. Is reliable, dependable and results-oriented. Maintains productivity and composure under pressure. Effectively prioritizes work and establishes clear goals and plans.
• Problem Solving – Views problems as opportunities to create new solutions. Anticipates potential problems and analyzes alternative solutions.
• Judgment – Gathers sufficient input before making decisions. Sees interrelatedness between issues. Considers alternative solutions. Makes appropriate and timely decisions.
• Valuing & Fostering Diversity – Demonstrating respect for individual differences and establishing a climate where all people can be comfortable and productive through sensitivity, empathy, and acceptance of cultural, racial, mental health, and socio-economic diversity.
• Self-Management – Taking of responsibility for one’s behavior and well-being; Working effectively under stress and adapting one’s style to changing situations; Comfortable working in a fast paced environment, and needs minimal supervision; Exhibiting a professional demeanor.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field.
• Two years of experience in advocacy, social work or a related field.
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.
• Must possess reliable transportation and a valid Florida Driver’s license.
• Receive State Rating Certification as required by funding sources within the first six months of employment.
• Complete ACT Service Training as required by FCASV within the first 30 days of employment. Maintain Certification for FCASV and as an ACT Supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of issues of sexual abuse victims.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledge of supervisor principles and practices.
• Ability to advocate for the rights of victims in a high stress situation.
• Ability to collect and evaluate data.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare reports relating to clients.
• Ability to supervise.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to problem solve.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Skill in counseling others in attaining self-sufficiency.
• Skill in the application of crisis intervention techniques.
• Skill in operating Window base computer operating programs.
• Knowledge of and comply with HIPPA regulations.
• Have knowledge of and comply with the policies and procedures of the Agency.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Physical Requirement: Must have ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. Employee must be at to see, sit, climb or balance, hear, use hands, taste/smell, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, stand, walk, talk, and reach with hands and arms. This position performs duties of more than average difficulty requiring the exercise of considerable initiative and independent judgment under general direction.

Working Conditions: Duties are performed primarily in an office setting. On occasion will require the use of personal automobile to travel to meetings and could be exposed to changing weather. The noise level is quiet.

Travel: Minimal

Hours: M-F varied hours, with on call responsibilities afterhours and holidays.