Community Advocate - CBS - Juneau

Community Advocate

Department: Community & Behavioral Services 

Location: Juneau, AK 

Covered Position: Yes 

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt 

Pay Grade(s): 8 ($27.79+ DOE) 

Purpose: The Community Advocate will work with community partners to provide technical assistance, information, and referrals for tribal citizens who have experienced victimization because of a crime. The incumbent will aid through direct service and assistance of community resource referrals and provisions to meet the immediate needs of citizens who have been victimized. Community Advocate will aid and follow up support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and other crimes.  Incumbent will ensure that victims understand the criminal justice process and have access to services available through Tlingit & Haida’s Community Advocacy Program, Federal, Tribal, State, and local victim assistance programs. The Community Advocate will advocate for culturally based services, including information and referral services. 

Essential Functions. An individual in this role must be able to perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodation: 

• Maintain strict confidentiality and ensure participants' rights to privacy. 
• Conduct participant intakes, assessments, and other direct services associated with victim services. 
• Provide crisis intervention, advocacy, and support to victims of crime. 
• Prepare and submit accurate and timely reports for related program grants. 
• Provide legal advocacy services to tribal members on victims of crime who experience domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, and sex trafficking. 
• Conduct intensive interviews within 48 hours of tribal members reported cases. 
• Review case files to ensure completion, order of records prior to hearings, answer questions related to court policies and procedures, case status, and court records. 
• Assist tribal programs and communities in developing responses to domestic violence for all tribal citizens. 
• Develop positive working relationships with other tribal and local service providers.  
• Participate in intra- and interagency meetings concerning effective responses to adult and child victims of domestic violence and related crimes. 
• Provide immediate crisis intervention and support to victims of domestic violence either in person, via phone, or Zoom.  
• Make referrals to ensure the victim’s immediate needs are met (e.g., transportation, food, shelter, clothing, childcare, behavioral services, etc.). 
• Accompany victims to court hearings in Tribal, State, or Federal court meetings with the prosecutor. 
• Review, process, and track legal documents, including summons, petitions, motions, affidavits, notices, and other filings. 
• Coordinate and assist prosecutors with victim/witness trial preparation. 
• Provide logistical support and assistance to victims during the judicial process. 
• Act as a liaison between victims and the various prosecutors, courts, law enforcement agencies, parole, and probation officers. 
• Develop, disseminate, and present community outreach materials for public education regarding sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sex trafficking and stalking. 
• Provide training to the community, agencies, and tribal government employees to increase capacity, efficiency, and response to victims of crime.  
• Assist with training local law enforcement officers, judges, and other court staff with emphasis on culturally responsive services.  
• Other duties as assigned. 

  Knowledge, Skills & Abilities. A comprehensive set of capabilities required to perform job tasks effectively: 

• Willingness to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, the public, judges, court personnel, project partners (e.g., ANDVSA, ANWRC, AWARE, etc.) and tribal governments. 
• Ability to effectively assume a varied case load. 
• Ability to maintain accurate, complete case files. 
• Excellent prioritization and time management skills. 
• Understanding of the civil equal justice legal needs of tribal members, including the unique needs of domestic violence survivors and low-income families. 
• Ability to effectively communicate, motivate others, and work collaboratively with diverse groups of people with varying perspectives, experience, and expertise. 
• Ability and willingness to learn and integrate new technologies and methodologies to efficiently perform responsibilities.  
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated. 
• Ability to collaborate, coordinate, implement, and advocate for youth, adults, families, and community. 
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with people from a variety of socioeconomic and cultural groups. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products. 
• Ability to work flexible hours (including occasional evening and/or weekend activities). 
• Commitment to self-care. 
• Understanding the Tribes mission and culture.  
• Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries with staff and clients in all circumstances. 

Minimum Qualifications (education, experience, skills): 

• Associate degree in Social Work, Public Health, or related field. 
• Two (2) years’ related experience 
• Must be 21 years of age and have a Valid Driver’s License.  

Substitution for degree  

• High school diploma  
• Four (4) years’ experience in related field 

Preferred Qualifications (education, experience, skills): 

• Bachelor’s Degree in the field of Social Work, Public Health, or related field 

Physical Requirements. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation: 

• Most of the work is performed in a professional office setting and is generally sedentary, requiring routine walking, standing, bending, and carrying items weighing less than 40 lbs. 
• Travel on small aircraft or ferry may be required. 

Work Environment. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job: 

• Some travel may be required on small aircraft or ferry.   
• Certain positions at Tlingit and Haida may have exposure to certain hazardous materials or conditions.  The supervisor will review these if applicable. 

Conditions of Hire. 

• All employment of Tlingit & Haida is “at will”.  This means that the employee or Tlingit & Haida may terminate employment at any time for any reason.  Unless specified in writing, no term of employment is expressed or implied for this position. 
• Tlingit & Haida is a no tolerance workplace.  All regular employees may be required to pass pre-employment and subsequent random drug and alcohol screening to be eligible for and maintain employment. 
• Tlingit & Haida requires a criminal background check to be conducted on all employees.  All employment offers are conditional until federal criminal background check results verify your eligibility to work for Tlingit & Haida.