Sexual Assault Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

Description :

Are you looking to make a real difference in the lives of others? Join the Catholic Charities team! For the last 100 years, we have had the distinct honor to provide help and hope for those in need.

At Catholic Charities, our mission is to empower individuals and strengthen families. We do this through our vital programs including a food pantry, counseling services, emergency family shelter, domestic violence and sexual assault programming and refugee resettlement.

We care for the dignity of the person, regardless of background and strive to provide unparalleled support for those in need.

The Catholic Charities’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program provides services to anyone faced with these issues through a 24-hour crisis phone line, emergency shelter, court advocacy and much more.

This program is based in Council Bluffs, Iowa and serves nine counties in southwest Iowa : Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby.

Our on-site emergency shelter provides a safe, confidential living for up to eight families at a time.

The Sexual Assault Advocate will help plan and develop and provide sexual assault programming and services to survivors is southwest Iowa.

This position travels in our nine county service area on a regular basis to provide in-person advocacy and requires occasional evening and weekend hours.

What We Offer

• A supportive and uplifting working environment
• 35-hour workweek, flexible schedules available
• Generous PTO and 14 paid holidays
• Medical and Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, Flex Spending Plans, and employer-paid Life Insurance and Long Term Disability Insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• Mileage reimbursement
• Office hours 8 : 30 am to 4 : 30 pm

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community professionals, human service agencies, educational organizations and religious and civic organizations.
• Work directly with sexual assault survivor, including children and adults.
• Provide community awareness and education of sexual assault in southwest Iowa by facilitating presentations, attending community outreach events and more.
• Accompany and assist victims with court appearances including preparation, deposition and court hearings.
• Work closely with program team to recruit, train and utilize volunteers in outreach counties.

Certifications (Can be obtained after employment)

• IowaCASA Certified Sexual Abuse Counselor
• Attend yearly Blood Born Pathogen training
• Maintain up-to-date CPR Certification
• Frist-Aid Certification
• Mandatory Child Abuse and Dependent Adult training

Requirements :

• Passion to make a difference and support those in need.
• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university preferred.
• Four or more years related experience and / or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Solid knowledge of social work and practices.
• Willingness to travel.

All candidates selected for hire will be required to undergo a thorough criminal background check and FBI fingerprinting.

This is to ensure the safety and well-being of the individuals we serve. Conviction of a crime will not automatically disqualify you from employment;

the nature, severity, and recency of the crime will be considered in relation to the position.

Catholic Charities is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse workforce consistent with the doctrines of the Catholic Church.

Catholic Charities will not discriminate against any employee or applicant based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information, or any other protected class to the extent laws, prohibiting such discrimination, apply to a Catholic entity, such as Catholic Charities in any particular circumstance.