Civilian Advocate for Victims of Sexual and Domestic Violence

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Under the general supervision of Director of Sexual Assault Support & Advocacy Services, provides services for victims/survivors and their loved ones impacted by sexual and relationship violence and stalking as part of rape crisis team. In addition to providing services onsite, the Civilian Advocate provides services at area police departments and on campus. Works with Northwestern District Attorney's Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Unit and Victim Witness Advocates to support victims involved in criminal justice processes and consults with legal system personnel (i.e., prosecutor, parole officer, advocates,) to gather or share information for safety planning and to discuss progress of the legal case in the criminal justice system.

This is a grant-funded position, dependent on funding availability.

Essential Functions

• Provides crisis intervention; police, legal, medical and academic advocacy; safety planning and support to survivors of sexual and domestic violence and stalking in addition to their loved ones. Provides assistance to navigate police, legal and/or campus conduct processes and partners to referrals for wraparound services. Complies with all relevant regulations, policies, standards, and protocols including those regarding privileged communication, mandated reporting of abuse, data collection, record keeping, and security related to use of technology including cell phone and computers.
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with broad constituents including collaborating police departments, SAFEPLAN Advocates, Hampshire County Court, human service providers, and campus-based departments. May serve on relevant committees and teams. Provides outreach to community and campus-based programs to inform providers, educators, and survivors about CWC services.
• Coordinates and provides trainings related to sexual and domestic violence to partners and CWC staff. Maintains current knowledge of relevant legal processes. Functionally supervises advocates regarding legal advocacy as needed.
• Assists with coordinating and facilitating grant related meetings, including Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and partner meetings; reviews, evaluates, and revises interagency protocols. Compiles data and prepares reports including tabulating statistics on sexual and domestic violence calls and reports. Participates in site visits and program development as needed.

Other Functions

• Performs related duties as assigned or required. Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.
• Demonstrates capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
• Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with university policy.
• Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace. Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public university-related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's degree and 1 year of related experience to include familiarity with criminal justice and/or legal system.
• Proven ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders such as police, courts and social service agencies; ability to foster and maintain positive, collaborative working relationships.
• Experience facilitating workshops and/or trainings.
• Demonstrated experience providing services to diverse cultural and/or linguistic communities.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, meet time sensitive deadlines and prioritize workload with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, and in general strong comfort with the use of emerging technologies.
• Driver's license and access to a vehicle required.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master's Degree in a related field
• Extensive experience successfully working with police and courts
• Experience to include crisis intervention, safety planning, and advocacy
• Experience and training with domestic violence or sexual assault organization
• Bilingual
• Demonstrated skills facilitating workshops or professional trainings on issues related to sexual assault and domestic violence including training police personnel.
• Developed self-care strategies and capacity to sustain providing services to trauma survivors.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Must drive and travel to other work-related sites.
• Work in a crisis response environment.

Work Schedule

• 37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday.
• Some nights and weekends required.

Salary Information

Level 26

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Upload your resume, along with your completed application. Our team will check references at the final stage of the interview process. Please be prepared to provide contact information for at least three (3) professional references. This position will remain open until filled or the advertised closing date, whichever occurs first. Early submissions are recommended.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.