Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Intern- Unpaid - The Crisis Center

Position Summary

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay brings help, hope and healing to people facing serious life challenges or trauma resulting from sexual assault or abuse, domestic violence, financial distress, substance abuse, medical emergency, suicidal thoughts, and emotional or situational problems.

The Sexual Assault Services Victim Advocate Intern provides crisis intervention, emotional support, and advocates for survivors of sexual assault. The Sexual Assault Services Victim Advocate Intern will coordinate services for survivors with medical, legal, mental health and social service systems. The Sexual Assault Services Victim Advocate Intern will receive guidance from the Director of Sexual Assault Services, Manager of Advocacy, Lead Advocate, and Staff Advocates. This position reports to the Lead Advocate and the Manager of Advocacy for supervision.

Strategic/Transformational Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional customer service as an advocate to clients who have experienced trauma from sexual assault or abuse in a safe, courteous, and professional manner.
• Participate in the performance quality improvement (PQI) process, and uses data to improve client services and outcomes.

Transactional/Administrative Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive victim services to all clients requesting advocacy.
• Respond to sexual assault exams 24/7.
• Provide community outreach to increase awareness and access to The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay services with an emphasis on minority and underserved populations.
• Provide sexual assault awareness and prevention education presentations to various community groups, schools, social service agencies, and other groups as needed.
• Attend community meetings and professionally represent the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.
• Develop and maintain relationships with the medical, legal, mental health and social service systems in order to better advocate for victims of sexual violence.
• Have knowledge of State of Florida and Statutes, and policies impacting victims’ rights and options.
• Accompany clients to legal and medical appointments as related to their experience with sexual violence.
• Assist clients through the Victim Compensation application process.
• Assist clients through the process of filing for injunctions for protection through the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
• Maintain updated information for Hillsborough County community resources.
• Attend all SAS department and other required Crisis Center of Tampa Bay meetings.
• Use the empowerment model to develop safety plans with clients.
• Develop positive and collaborative relationships with other agencies.
• Have knowledge of and comply with the policies and procedures of the Crisis Center and all partnering agencies.
• Know and comply with HIPAA regulation.

Required Competencies

Adaptability *Remains open-minded and adjusting one’s behavior in light of changing conditions; Managing transition between tasks well and adapts to shifting priorities; Facilitating others’ ability to flex and refocus in light of changing conditions or priorities.

Cooperation / Teamwork *A desire to accomplish together what you cannot accomplish alone; respecting all views and leveraging each other’s skills and experiences; working in the best interest of the team in the pursuit of common goals.

Customer Service *Both internal and external, listens and respects all customers’ opinions and ideas and maintains appropriate professional boundaries. Demonstrating a concern for the needs and expectations of customers and making them a high priority; Responding effectively to customer questions and needs in a timely manner. Building strong relationships of trust with customers.

Engaging Communication *Ability to shape communication so as to draw favorable attention of and meet the needs of the audience; Conveying ideas and opinions clearly through tact and consideration of others; Listening attentively to others’ ideas and opinions in an effort to fully understand the message; Writes and speaks clearly and effectively.

Judgement *Making sound decisions based on accurate and relevant facts gathered, rather than emotions; Analyzing situations carefully by applying logic and practical thinking before taking action or making referrals for services.

Problem Solving *Anticipating and identifying work-related problems; Analyzing problems in a systematic and timely manner; Gathering relevant information prior to implementing reasonable solutions; Acting decisively to implement appropriate solutions, and considers the impact on other areas within the organization.

Self-Management *Taking of responsibility for one’s behavior and well-being; Working effectively under stress and adapting one’s style to changing situations; Comfortable working in a fast paced environment, and needs minimal supervision; Exhibiting a professional demeanor.

Valuing and Fostering Diversity *Demonstrating respect for individual differences and establishing a climate where all people can be comfortable and productive through sensitivity, empathy, and acceptance of cultural, racial, mental health, and socio-economic diversity.

Education and Experience

• Background check required
• Working toward bachelor’s degree in social work, mental health, or other social sciences related field.
• Must possess reliable transportation and a valid Florida Driver’s license.
• Complete 30-hour self-study (within 30 days of hire) training through the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Physical Requirement: Employee must be at to sit, climb or balance, hear, use hands, taste/smell, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, stand, walk, talk, and reach with hands and arms.

Working Conditions: Duties are performed primarily in an office environment.

Travel: Occasional

Hours: Services available 365 days a year 24-hours a day. Sexual Assault Interns may be required to be available on-call during holidays, evenings, and/or weekends; and during hurricanes and other times of disasters/critical incidents

This job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of this position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position.