Sexual Assault Advocate

Are you looking to make a real difference in the lives of others? Join the Catholic Charities team! For the last 100 years, we have had the distinct honor to provide help and hope for those in need. At Catholic Charities, our mission is to empower individuals and strengthen families. We do this through our vital programs including a food pantry, counseling services, emergency family shelter, community resource coordination, and domestic violence and sexual assault programming. We care for the dignity of the person, regardless of background and strive to provide unparalleled support for those in need. 

The Catholic Charities’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program provides services to anyone faced with these issues through a 24-hour crisis phone line, emergency shelter, court advocacy and much more. This program is based in Council Bluffs, Iowa and serves nine counties in southwest Iowa: Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby. Our on-site emergency shelter provides a safe, confidential living for up to eight families at a time.

The Sexual Assault Advocate provides outreach and services to victims of sexual assault and human trafficking in the nine-county service area of SW Iowa. Under the direction of the Sexual Assault Coordinator, this role works with the Sexual Assault team to plan and provide advocacy, working with community partners and resources to coordinate services consistent with the mission, vision, and values of Catholic Charities.

We Offer

• Competitive pay
• 35-hour workweek
• Generous vacation and sick pay
• 14 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Comprehensive benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flex Spending Plans
• Employer-paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• A supportive and uplifting working environment 

Key Responsibilities

• Provide direct advocacy services to and on behalf of survivors of sexual assault, domestic abuse, and human trafficking, including legal advocacy, individual or group counseling, and safety planning. Assist with DVSART 24-hour response to area hospitals. Meet with clients in outreach offices and public spaces.
• Participate in individual opportunity plans and arrange meetings with other service providers to advocate for survivors, to include CPS workers, mental health, and substance abuse providers and others.
• Assist survivors in arranging appropriate shelter and securing transportation services when necessary.
• Build community awareness and education of sexual assault and human trafficking throughout the service area. Work with Sexual Assault team to develop and present prevention and awareness campaigns, including Teen Dating Violence Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Human Trafficking Month. Present to schools, business partners, social service agencies, law enforcement, and others. Participate in community meetings and events in outreach counties to advocate and publicize services for survivors. Distribute agency materials throughout assigned areas. Some events may require working limited night or weekend hours.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with local coalitions, task forces, human service agencies, religious and civic organizations, educational resources, and other community members. 
• Facilitate/co-facilitate support and educational groups offered through the agency and within the nine-county service area on a rotating basis or as requested.
• Document all contact with victims in victim's file and in EmpowerDB database. Prepare statistical summaries and other reports as required.
• In conjunction with the Sexual Assault Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator, work with volunteers in outreach counties.
• Continuously assess program services and provide recommendations to improve effectiveness. Distribute client surveys after individual or group services to gather data for ongoing program improvement. 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or related field; 1-2 years related job experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Solid knowledge of human and social service programs and practices.
• Knowledge of appropriate intervention techniques for working effectively with a variety of issues related to sexual assault and domestic abuse.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to effectively present information and respond professionally to inquiries from clients, regulatory agencies, and members of the community.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of people having diverse social concerns and problems, while maintaining personal boundaries. 
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively. 
• Good knowledge and familiarity with needs and resources in the community. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and related software. Ability to learn program specific software applications.   

Additional Expectations

• Must maintain the ability to work flexible hours. Some evening and weekend hours may be required.
• Travel to our service area sites required on a regular basis. Overnight travel for continuing education required on a limited basis. Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to successfully pass Motor Vehicle Record check. Must provide own transportation, meeting auto insurance coverage requirements, with mileage reimbursement provided.
• Ability to pass a criminal background screening, including Child and Dependent Adult Abuse registry check is required. Compliance with Safe Environment training and monthly bulletins. FBI Fingerprinting is required.
• Must maintain absolute confidentiality of information, written or verbal, according to policy and legal requirements. 
• Attend staff meetings, community meetings, approved seminars, agency trainings/retreats, and professional conferences.
• Possess a strong commitment to the mission of Catholic Charities including the understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and ability to demonstrate the philosophy and values of the agency. Employees are expected to support the Catholic Social Teaching principles in public forum. Fulfillment of the employee’s job responsibilities should be consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.