Transitional Housing Victim Advocate

Description

The Transitional Housing Victim Advocate performs work in accordance with established program objectives, policies and procedures. Individual informs victims of crimes of their statutory rights, judicial proceedings, case status, and eligibility for restitution. Ensures crisis counseling for targeted victims. Maintains community and provider contacts. Interacts with judicial system personnel. Monitors cases from citation to final disposition. Responsible for development of all program forms and guides.

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Receives, examines, and evaluates every report on victimization on trust land of the Iowa Tribe and rural service area of the Tribe.
• Provides crisis intervention on scene or by phone to victims of crime and survivors of tragedy.
• Provides support and informs victims of case status.
• Connects victims with appropriate resources and referrals.
• Conducts case management; retrieves and reviews case reports.
• Provides appropriate literature to victims.
• Follows up with officers and detectives, and assesses any other follow-up requirements.
• Completes necessary paperwork.
• Maintains liaison with local, state, and federal agencies for the purpose of implementing and interpreting the Tribal Victim Assistance services, functions, and program.
• Works to increase public awareness of the program among providers and the American Indian community members.
• Provides technical assistance and participates in all functions of the Project advisory team.
• Responsible for collecting and reporting tribal victim assistance statistics for reporting to the funding agency.
• Other duties as necessary.

Education and Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, psychology or related field.
• Three year’s work experience in human services.
• Possess knowledge of victim assistance including applicable standards, laws, regulations, and codes.
• Must be able to work flexible hours.
• Must be willing to work other than normal hours including weekends and holidays.
• Must have the ability to deal with crisis oriented situations and extreme human behaviors or reactions caused by crisis.
• Respectful, knowledgeable, and have an understanding of tribal cultures, customs, beliefs, values, social systems, and structure of Indian families.

Certificates:

• CPR and First Aid Certification
• Active Driver’s License

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Possess knowledge of victim assistance including applicable standards, laws, regulations, and codes.  
• Knowledge of needs and challenges experienced by people from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Knowledge of safety planning for victims of crime.
• Understanding of tribal cultures, customs, beliefs, values, social systems, and structure of Indian families.
• Ability to deal with crisis oriented situations and extreme human behaviors or reactions caused by crisis.
• Ability to work emergency call-outs, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Must have knowledge and experience working with tribal government, tribal programs, and tribal court. 
• Ability to coordinate quality assurance programs in area of specialty. 
• Ability to counsel patients and/or families in life management and coping skills. 
• Ability to gather data, compiles information, and prepare reports. 
• Interviewing and psychological/developmental evaluation skills. 
• Knowledge of community support services and funding agencies. 
• Knowledge of psychosocial interviewing and counseling techniques.

Conditions of Employment:

The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma operates a drug-free workplace.

• Must submit to and pass applicable drug test.
• Must pass background investigations for suitability of character identified in accordance with the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act.