Lead Advocate (TUC - Strength United)

  • California State University (CSU) Northridge
  • Los Angeles, California
  • Jul 06, 2024
Legal Services

Job Description

About The University Corporation

The University Corporation is a non-profit auxiliary corporation providing commercial and administrative services to California State University, Northridge. Our mission is to provide services and solutions that address the needs of California State University, Northridge; to support the academic, research, and creative endeavors of its students, faculty, and staff; and to enhance the quality of campus life. https://www.csun.edu/tuc

Mission:

Empowering Families, Ending Violence and Developing Leaders

Overview:

The Lead Advocate will act as a Sexual Assault Counselor Advocate (SACA). The Lead Advocate is a member of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Multidisciplinary Team, providing trauma informed, culturally sensitive “helping relationship” to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child maltreatment with services including crisis intervention, follow-up, accompaniments, advocacy, criminal justice support, crime victim compensation assistance, counseling, and emotional support to individuals of all ages inclusive of survivors identifying as LGBTQIA.

Duties and Responsibilities (other duties as assigned):

Reporting to the Associate Director of Advocacy and Prevention Education the Lead advocate will: Client Services - provides services to scheduled and walk-in clients: assists with intake documentation; ensures clients’ and dependents’ requests are met while at the center; provides crisis intervention and emotional support; provides case management; facilitates acquisition of child care as needed for clients; ensures onsite service providers are notified of service requests; assists in obtaining restraining orders; communicates with referrals and resources to ensure streamlining of service provision; adheres to mandated reporting and confidentiality rules legally and ethically; consults with a licensed staff clinician on issues regarding mandated reporting, client confidentiality, and suicide; accompanies clients to courts and other appointments; provides follow-up; and fast-tracks clients for counseling services at Strength United; Onsite Partnership Liaison - communicates with onsite partners to advocate for clients; assists onsite partners address clients’ needs; facilitates communication between onsite partners and clients; assists in filing applications with the Victim Assistance Program; and provides onsite partners with advocacy resources and materials; Multi-Disciplinary Partnerships: The Advocate will aid in the enhancement of the existing Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) through an assessment plan, implementation, evaluation process to engage and solicit the feedback of existing MDT members, as well as implementing a strategic plan to overcome known weaknesses and recruit already identified new members. Data Collection and Documentation - maintains activity tracking forms; documents all client contact; documents all onsite and offsite referrals, and outcomes; maintains all consents; gathers and enters statistical data resulting from advocate contacts into software system; and provides reports to program and agency administrators; Training and Workshops - participates in and provides cross training to partner agencies including Sexual Assault Response Team members as well as staff and volunteers; Performs other duties as assigned and as needed, including but not limited to: supervising and being on the hotline including but not limited to some nights and weekends, coordinating with other agency programs to facilitate inter-agency client referral; supporting and championing self-care and trauma informed practices; and supervising advocates. Supporting the Administrative Assistant with maintaining the front office and following opening and closing procedures; Maintain a clean and safe lobby and play area, Display and maintain SU, onsite and offsite agency literature in the lobby, Monthly audit of software system aligning with ATFs, Cross referencing client ATFs with CATS records, Facilitate access to address and resolve immigration related issues of clients , Act as a liaison between client and law enforcement, Act as a liaison between client and medical staff professionals, Attend monthly meetings with other agencies within the county to better serve the client , Attend trainings centered on developing issues plaguing the community, Coordinate with CATS staff on a daily basis to maintain order, rapport, and respect , remain connected with clients on a weekly or monthly basis to maintain the flow of communication and assistance, Oversee the care of a children while caregiver(s) are in session , Refer clients to group sessions provided at SU, Update advocacy referral binders as information is received.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree is a plus. Bilingual English/Spanish is required. Experience working with sexual assault survivors as a part of a Sexual Assault Response Team is strongly desired. If the selected candidate is not already certified by the state of California as a Sexual Assault Counselor advocate the candidate will have to attend the requisite training to obtain the certification. Must pass a Criminal Clearance. Must possess strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Must have excellent computer skills, including the ability to use both Mac and PC platforms and to use Microsoft Office and database programs.

Knowledge, Specialized Skills, and Abilities:

Must demonstrate the ability to use communication skills that successfully convey and obtain accurate and complete information in a respectful and caring manner. Have a basic knowledge of body language and non-verbal communication. Understand and demonstrate active listening skills. Past teaching experience will be helpful in assisting clients improve and develop necessary skills to promote well-being. Must be a critical thinker, reasoning, organizing and analyzing information so that problems are accurately understood and solutions are congruent with client’s capacities and outcome orientated. Capacity to negotiate and collaboration to insure the client’s successful receipt of services. Demonstrate the skill of advocating for the needs and rights of people. Must show a passion and sensitivity for trauma work. Demonstrated experience to maintain cooperative working relationships with others; be team oriented; coordinate/collaborate with professionals from multiple agencies whilst maintaining appropriate boundaries and client confidentiality. Must demonstrate an acceptance and respect for cultural diversity in all its forms, including ethnicity, sexual orientation, abilities, and religious backgrounds and an ability to work collaboratively in an ethnically linguistically, and culturally diverse environment.

Pre-employment Requirements:
  • County, State and Federal Criminal Checks
  • Driving Record
  • Education Verification
  • Reference Check
  • Access to a reliable vehicle, valid California Driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance
  • Must Maintain personal cell phone


Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

Work is performed in an office setting with a low-to-moderate noise level; employee will need to utilize their personal vehicle for travel to and from meetings outside the office; employee must regularly communicate by telephone, written communications and in-person with staff, families served, partners, funders and other professionals; occasionally lift, carry and position objects weighing up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

This position is employed through The University Corporation (TUC).

The anticipated hiring range: $18.27 - $25/hour

Full Pay range: $18.27 - $25/hour

Time Base: Full-Time

Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision

General Information

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE IS REQUIRED TO PASS A THOROUGH DEPARTMENT LIVESCAN AND BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION.

How to Apply

Please complete the online application/resume upload submission process to be considered for any open position within the university and its auxiliaries. The hiring department will contact the best-qualified candidates and invite them to participate in the interview process.

Application Screening begins Monday, July 22, and will continue until the position is filled.

To be considered in the initial review, applications must be submitted before the date listed above.

Application submissions received after the application screening date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

For more detailed information on the application and hiring process, please view the link below:

http://www-admn.csun.edu/ohrs/employment/

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, and disability. Applicants who wish to request accommodation for a disability may contact the Office of Equity and Diversity at (818) 677-2077.

Strength United is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, and disability. Our nondiscrimination policy is set forth in CSU Executive Order 1096. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Recruitment Service

Advertised: Jul 05 2024 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:

Closing Date/Time:

Job Address

Los Angeles, California 91330 United States View Map