Crisis Advocate

Description: Crisis AdvocateBatavia, NY

At Planned Parenthood we believe that diversity in identity and perspective enriches our agency and allows us to better serve our clients. We are committed to workforce diversity and aspire to reflect the communities we serve. To that end, we strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ identifying individuals, people with disabilities and other underrepresented groups to apply. In support of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York (PPCWNY)’s mission, the Crisis Advocate has responsibility for providing crisis intervention, advocacy and outreach and education to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking. This work is done in the community, at schools, hospitals, courts, and at all partner agencies including correctional facilities. This is a comprehensive position covering programming, education, tabling events, and direct service to a variety of clients in multiple counties including Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming. The home office for this position will be in Batavia.

Essential Functions

Direct Service

Responds to crisis calls within RESTORE’s GLOW (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming) Counties, including in-person response at hospitals, schools, courts, law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, and District Attorney’s offices

Carries a caseload and Provides crisis intervention, counseling, and/or correctional facility-based judiciary advocacy to people who are incarcerated in area correctional facilities, county jails, and federal detention centers

Develops professional rapport and Maintains external lines of communication with the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) as well as the Office of Special Investigations (OSI)

Collaborates with staff at Victim Assistance Programs across the state on Prison Rape Elimination Act topics

Assists in ensuring provision of RESTORE services at family court, including filing family offense petitions

Maintains a commitment to quality client service, the agency, allied partners, members, and communities at large

Maintains a commitment to the mission and work of PPCWNY with a deep appreciation for and sensitivity to the guiding principles of the organization

Shows respect to all internal and external customers for differences in backgrounds, lifestyles, viewpoints and needs in areas such as race, gender, ethnicity, creed, sexual orientation and others

Outreach & Education

Presents activities, programs, and support groups related to sexual assault that meet the educational needs of incarcerated clients

Provides formal training programs, conferences, seminars or workshops to correctional facility staff to promote an understanding of the issue of sexual assault and assists professionals in developing strategies to prevent sexual assault in correctional facilities

Works with the regional RESTORE team to write regular revisions/updates to all correctional facility specific training materials (conduct protocols, volunteer training curricula and manuals, community resources and professional referral lists)

Other Accountability Activities

Provides backup for RESTORE’s Monroe County Crisis Advocate

Assists clients with the application and filing of NYS OVS (Office of Victim Services) claims

Ensures proper documentation is written for client records, annual, and funder reports, according to assigned dates

Signs up for On Call shifts at a minimum of two shifts per month including one weeknight and one weekend 24-hour shift on rotating basis with all staff, including holidays

Establishes relationships with geographic teams (HUB/Site Managers, supervisors and professional staff) to ensure that information about medical services, court services, outreach and education programs are understood so that referrals can be made

Performs other duties as assigned by Supervisor

. Requirements: Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Criminal Justice, Public Health, Social Work, Health Education or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Minimum one year hotline experience preferred

Minimum one year experience supporting, advocating for, and/or counseling victims of family violence/sexual assault is preferred

Minimum one year experience working with the Department of Corrections, County jails, or Federal Detention Centers preferred • Excellent skills in assessing levels of emotional distress and reacting appropriately

Demonstrated ability to work with people of various ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientation, and gender identities

Awareness of best practices for sexual violence prevention, risk reduction, and survivor support strategies

Clear and calm judgment centered on survivors, discretion, and competency for strategic and diplomatic collaboration

Professional verbal and written communication skills

Must have excellent organizational skills, with great attention to detail, and be able to maintain accurate records

Must be very organized and have the ability to handle multiple priorities

Must be able to set goals and create timelines for implementation; must be able work independently on behalf of survivors and collaboratively with coworkers and colleagues

Strong ability to work effectively within and outside of the correctional system in developing relationships and programs to address advocacy issues and needs

Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Must be able to work a flexible schedule including some evenings and weekends, holidays, provide 24-hour coverage and travel within the region

Must have reliable transportation and a valid NYS driver’s license not in jeopardy of being revoked

Planned Parenthood seeks candidates who have proficiency in one of the following languages, including but not limited to: Spanish, Nepali, Arabic, and Swahili

A commitment to Planned Parenthood of Central and Western NY (PPCWNY)’s mission, vision and values along with a commitment to providing services to a diverse range of clients and to the goals of PPCWNY is essential

Work ScheduleThis is a full-time, 40 hour a week, position; regular schedule will be Monday – Friday. Some evening and weekend duties, as well as on call responsibilities.

CompensationPer the collective bargaining agreement, this position starts at $17.32/hour

Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, protected veteran status, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

We are committed to workforce diversity and aspire to reflect the communities we serve. To that end, we strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ identifying individuals, people with disabilities and other underrepresented groups to apply.