Post-Conviction Victim Advocate

Job Title:   Post-Conviction Victim Advocate

Status:   Full-Time, Exempt

Reports To:  Co-Director of Client Services: Advocacy

 

About The Blue Bench

At The Blue Bench, our mission is to eliminate sexual assault and diminish the impact it has on individuals, their loved ones and our community through comprehensive issue advocacy, prevention, and care. Our hope is to one day live in a world where sexual assault no longer exists; where there are no more victims, friends and families suffering in its wake. This is what inspires our efforts. and until that day comes, our work is not complete. Inspired by the courage of one another – as survivors, activists, advocates and community leaders, The Blue Bench has helped hundreds of thousands of Denver-area individuals find the courage to move from victim to survivor.

 

Job Purpose

The Blue Bench is seeking a Post-Conviction Victim Advocate to join the Client Services team. This position serves as an advocate for survivors of sexual violence as they navigate the post-sentencing phase of the criminal legal system. The Post-Conviction Victim Advocate provides outreach and advocacy while assisting clients with accessing needed resources. This role offers an avenue for survivors to remain informed and heard while the person who harmed them is serving their sentence. The Post-Conviction Victim Advocate will also provide victim representation on offender interdisciplinary teams and in statewide groups to ensure the needs of survivors are heard on all levels.

The ideal candidate is a trauma-informed and compassionate advocate with experience working within or adjacent to the criminal legal system. This individual is comfortable representing the needs of their client while working with a team of other professionals from a variety of disciplines that support those who have caused harm. Additionally, they will assist clients in connecting with community resources and answering questions about offender treatment and supervision. They are also flexible, adaptable, and have a strong commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression values.

 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

Direct Service/Advocacy

·  Provide outreach and advocacy to survivors when the offender is placed in a community supervision program (i.e. probation, parole, and/or community corrections).

·  Provide information, updates, and notification to the survivor, survivor’s family, or other appropriate secondary survivors about sex offense treatment and supervision programs.

·  Provide support, referrals, and resource information to the survivor, survivor’s family, or other appropriate secondary survivors.

·  Serve as a liaison between and/or resource for the survivor, other victim advocates, offense-specific therapists, supervising officers, etc. as needed.

·  Provide an avenue for survivors and their support systems to provide feedback, be informed, and have their voice heard.

·  Support offender interdisciplinary teams in operating with a survivor-centered approach.

·  Advocate on behalf of the survivor with non-offending parents and family members.

·  Assist with clarification and reunification when requested by the survivor and needed by the interdisciplinary team.

 

Community Liaison

· Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, treatment groups, or staffings for people who have committed sexual offenses.

· Participate in statewide groups and on Sexual Offender Management Board (SOMB) committee meetings.

· Provide survivor input, representation, and perspective within interdisciplinary teams.

· Provide input on how interdisciplinary team decisions may impact the survivor.

· Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners.

· Collaborate with other agencies to provide training or informational presentations.

· Attend other committees/community events/activities/etc. as appropriate or requested.

 

Life of the Organization

· Fully participate in organizational activities including staff meetings and learning times.

· Serve as a member of the Client Services and Advocacy teams, with a collaborative approach to problem solving.

 

Job Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Bachelor’s (preferably Master’s) degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in human services, social work, psychology, counseling, sociology, or related field/experience

· A minimum of 5 years direct client experience

· Experience in crisis response, case management, and/or victim advocacy

· Experience working with sexual violence or other interpersonal traumas

· Experience working with people who have committed sexual offenses

· Knowledge of the criminal legal system and the community supervision process regarding sexual offenses

· Able to establish and maintain community partnerships

· Strong verbal, written, and telephone communication skills

· Excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to actively participate on interdisciplinary teams

· Organized, effective problem solver, with ability to initiate and execute work responsibilities independently

· An understanding of cultural influences on behavior in multicultural communities; must be open to working with diverse communities

· Bilingual skills in English and Spanish highly preferred

· Capacity to manage flexible schedule and be able to work in the field

 

Compensation

This is a full-time non-exempt position, and the rate of pay is $50,000 – $53,500.  Rate of pay is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

The Blue Bench is an equal opportunity employer and dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants. People with disabilities, people of color, indigenous people, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

Benefits

The Blue Bench offers a comprehensive benefit package including $300 employer contribution towards fully-funded medical plans, paid base dental, paid life insurance and long-term disability, as well as vision, short-term, and supplemental coverage options. We also offer generous paid vacation and sick/wellness time, and paid holiday leave that includes an end of year break between Christmas and New Year’s.

 

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to jobs@thebluebench.org and include “Post-Conviction Victim Advocate” in the subject line.