Victims For Justice is seeking a Victim Advocate to help support and serve victims of violent crime in Alaska. Victims For Justice is a highly collaborative, project and mission driven organization, with a high level of individual responsibility for specialized projects and interests.

This Anchorage based position will require an ability to practice and inspire empowerment, strong relationships, sound judgement, a strong desire to learn and share, and a deep and personal commitment to equity and justice as daily and life-long values. The Victim Advocate will have proven experience working with multi-cultural populations and a readiness and enthusiasm/passion for building relationships and working with individuals who have experienced trauma through violence in Alaska.

They will advance the mission of this community-driven, victim centered organization already recognized for advocating for victim rights in Alaska. This position provides, systems navigation, court accompaniment, has opportunities for peer-to-peer group facilitation, training and represents the organization to internal and external audiences and partners.

The Victim Advocate will report to the Lead Advocate, who works to assist with program management, case management and training.

This position is open until filled. Victims For Justice is an equal opportunity employer. Because of our commitment to community-based leadership, individuals from all communities and backgrounds, specifically those with a deep connection to Alaska are encouraged to apply.

Extensive background checks required.

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PURPOSE: The Victim Advocate will be dedicated to providing direct services and advocacy to victims of violent crime; with emphasis on victims who have experienced a violent crime other than domestic violence and sexual assault; such as robbery, assault, kidnapping, arson, hate crimes, hit-and-runs and homicide.

REPORTS TO: Lead Advocate

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Advocacy responsibilities (70%):

The Victim Advocate will carry a full caseload, consulting with the Lead Advocate and Executive Director on general case management. Activities include:

• Crisis Intervention: assessing the situation to be certain the client is safe, has a place to stay, and that other immediate emotional and physical needs are met;
• Personal grief recovery support, and guidance in dealing with emotional trauma;
• Assistance and direction in understanding the criminal justice system;
• Intervention with police and troopers, medical examiner, prosecutors, and court personnel;
• Accompaniment to meetings with law enforcement, legal and court personnel;
• Accompaniment to bail, status and evidentiary hearings;
• Accompaniment to trial and other court proceedings;
• Information and referral services to other community services;
• Assistance in the preparation of application for other victims’ services, including Violent Crimes Compensation and the VINE Link;
• Informing clients of their constitutional and statutory rights as victims;
• Educating clients about crime prevention and personal safety;
• Facilitating grief recovery workshops and/or group support;

Other responsibilities (30%):

• Represent VFJ professionally in public and with clients;
• Maintain records and use the database to track all activities;
• Assist with reporting to grantors and the board of directors;
• Attend, participate in and report on community-based workgroups and meetings as assigned;
• Other duties as assigned;

Transportation:

• Must provide own transportation to attend meetings and court accompaniment.
• Occasional travel to conferences and other activities may be required.
• Personal vehicle, valid driver’s license, and proof of vehicle insurance required.

Environmental/Working Conditions

VFJ is a highly collaborative and employee empowered environment. Each employee is expected to perform as part of the team with an ability to work independently. Work hours must have flexibility to include rare after hours and Saturdays in order to accommodate travel, and individuals/families in crisis or other family or agency needs.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the criminal justice/legal system;
• Knowledge of the dynamics of grief, homicide and other felony assaults
• Knowledge of techniques of crisis intervention, case management, program evaluation
• Knowledge of ethical standards for care of victims of violence
• Ability to work under pressure, organize work assignments, set priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in order to contribute to problem-solving activities within a growing, changing organization
• Ability to act in a tactful and diplomatic manner and work on sensitive issues with diverse groups of individuals
• Experience in social service or related field
• Working familiarity with and ability to learn new forms of technology, including Google Drive, Microsoft Office, Teams, Egnyte and various databases.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Advanced Background check required

Skills and Strengths:

All roles develop and are adjust based on the strengths and needs of the communities that we work with, and the strengths of individual members of the team. Based on the strengths of our current team, we expect employees bring the following skills and strengths to the table:

• Integrity
• Deep understanding of and commitment to serving victims of violence
• Ability to build relationships and trust with people of different identities than your own
• Ability to adapt communication methods to different people, teams, and geographies
• Positivity and realism: seeing opportunities in every challenge, and realistic solutions
• Ability to lead self and others in setting goals and monitoring progress
• Discipline to prioritize, follow-through, and stay on track
• Knowledge of when to lead and when to support, based on situation, not hierarchy
• Demonstrated ability to plan and operate strategically
• Understanding of the intersectionality of our work and the tensions and opportunities that intersectionality represents
• Strong English language writing and conversational abilities
• Experience in culturally and linguistically diverse workplaces and communities
• Clear, concise, and compassionate communication

We understand that this is a comprehensive list and that you might not have strengths in all of these areas! Direct communication about strengths and challenges is part of our hiring process.