Systems Advocate

Job Title: Knox (and Lincoln) Systems Advocate

Job Status: Regular, full-time (40 hrs/wk) Estimated Annual Salary $47, $22.66/hr)

Office Location: SASSMM Brunswick Office or SASSMM Searsport Office, with a minimum of 2 days of in-person work with clients and community partners in Knox County.

Primary Responsibility: To provide direct advocacy and support to survivors of sexual violence, particularly those engaged in the systems of criminal justice, law enforcement, and corrections, and healthcare in Knox and Lincoln Counties. This position will serve as the primary point of contact for Knox County courts/police departments and to other local systems partners, while providing essential back-up systems advocacy in Lincoln County. The Systems Advocate will dedicate their time to strengthening multi-disciplinary collaboration by working closely with professionals in law enforcement, prosecution, courts, corrections, and healthcare to improve survivor access to trauma-informed, culturally responsive services.

Representative Duties:

Program and Services Delivery

• Provide crisis support services for survivors and family members following a sexual assault

• Coordinate and respond to incoming client service requests at local courts

• Provide accompaniment and support of survivors during police interviews or other procedures involving law enforcement, legal proceedings, or forensic medical exams, restorative circles, school accompaniments, etc.

• Knox County accompaniments will first go to the Systems Advocate for Knox County, and then to the Advocacy Services Coordinator for Knox & Waldo Counties, then to whomever is on SBU secondarily.

• Lincoln County accompaniments will first go to the Systems Advocate for E. Cumberland/Sagadahoc/Lincoln Counties, and then to the Systems Advocate for Knox (and back up to Lincoln) Counties.

• Provide follow-up assistance and support to survivors and families, as needed

• Contribute to the development and implementation of services and trainings in response to and the prevention of human trafficking

• Participate in MECASA's Systems Services programming, including the collection and sharing of data and best practices for any scheduled reports

• Maintain and input all statistical data required by funding and agency requirements

• Participate (bi-weekly) in one-on-one supervision with the Advocacy Services Coordinator to develop a workplan, ensure self-management and compliance with policies and data collection requirements, and to share feedback and accountability regarding ongoing projects

• Work in coordination with other Systems and Rural Advocates for consistency and coverage of services

• Establish contact and collaborate with community resources and referral sources

• Provide community-based advocacy and support services, as required, including support group services

• Attend identified meetings and initiatives that are relevant to the mission of the agency

• Attend at least 12 hours of professional development training per year, in consultation with the Systems Coordinator

• Assist the Advocacy Services Coordinator, as required

Client Services

• Complete SASSMM 47 hours Advocate Training

• Participate in coverage of the 24/7 helpline and respond to all client or volunteer advocate needs associated with helpline

• Support all client needs as identified via the helpline, the SASSMM office phone, affiliated schools, or other community partners

• Co-facilitate in-person or online support groups, as needed

• Perform other duties, as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work/life experience in human services

• Excellent organizational ability, oral and written communication skills

• Training or experience working with diverse and underserved populations

• Awareness of, and sensitivity to, issues of sexual violence

• Ability to respond to people in crisis and an open-minded nature

• Willingness to work flexible hours and respond to changing priorities

• Excellent computer literacy, organizational, facilitation, and oral and written communication skills

Accountability:Accountable to the Advocacy Services Coordinator for any client-related or systems support in their respective counties of service oversight. Accountable to the Executive Director regarding all agency programming and operations.