Victim Services Protection Order Advocate

• Hours: 12-5pm Monday-Friday.
• Rate of Pay: $10.50-$13.00 per hour, depending on experience and availability of funds.  A successful background check is required and will be run post-offer.  Please note that certain crimes will invalidate any offer of employment.
• PDF of Job Description:  YWCA DVPP PT ProtectiveOrderAdvocate
• Applications accepted online only – if the ad has disappeared it may be paused to evaluate current applicants (we will not accept phone calls or emails) – Indeed Application Link

Job Description:The YWCA of Central Virginia is seeking a team member to provide critical assistance to victims with immediate court advocacy services, specifically helping to navigate the difficult and complex protective order intake process, providing support and referrals for community assistance, and helping with safety planning.  This position will be under the supervision of YWCA’s Senior Managing Director for Victim Services but will work in partnership with the Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Lynchburg Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, and the Court Services Unit.  The YWCA is moving forward to continue our mission, and we need a member of our team that will focus on providing key supports within our service area so that the YWCA can continue to serve the women, girls, and families of Central Virginia in the years and decades to come.

This is a 100% grant-funded position. Although the grant is expected to be continued through 2024, sometimes grant funding will be relinquished from the grantor with little to short notice. If that would occur, your employment under the grant would be terminated. However, you should be aware that your employment as a staff employee of the YWCA of Central Virginia is considered to be at-will and may be terminated by you or the YWCA at any time regardless of the end date of the grant.  This role is also public-facing and there is no remote option.

Areas of Responsibility

• Data and Reporting
  • Maintains and updates a database of information related to populations serviced (via number system) in including method of referral and if they were able to obtain the order, extend the order, or if the request was denied; as well as including follow-up contact data
  • Complies monthly statistics of victims served and assists in preparation of grant progress reports, as requested
• Judicial System Support
  • Aids victims in extending Emergency Protective Orders (EPO) and/or seeking preliminary protective orders. Assists all victims in required paperwork completion
  • Assists victims in applying for custody, child support, and spousal support as needed at the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (J&DR)
  • Engages with community members who walk-in for assistance or who are referred tor support to assess their needs for community supports, and assists in navigating the various processes in obtaining community services and language interpretation services
  • Provides victim accompaniment with all civil court appearances, as requested & as time permits
  • Creates strong working relationships with criminal justice agencies and area community service providers to stay apprised of the various resources available to assist victims. The advocate may engage in required training and/or meetings with allied professionals on domestic violence issues and services offered through the program.
  • Makes appropriate referrals to YWCA DVPP staff to ensure that ongoing contact with victims to provide assistance and “hands-on” referrals to services occurs promptly
  • Makes appropriate referrals to YWCA DVPP staff to ensure victim, if needed, has adequate transportation to attend court proceedings, appointments/meetings within the area, as needed
  • Assists in safety planning and develops a plan for follow-up assistance with victims, within a set time frame, to determine any further service needs
  • May be requested to participate in group meetings such as the Domestic Abuse Response Teams, as time allows

All YWCA staff members are expected to function as self-directed members of a team, to model professional standards and the YWCA mission, and to help sustain an environment that eliminates racism, promotes diversity and inclusion, and encourages women’s and girl’s investment in themselves and the YWCA movement.

Job Qualifications
1. An understanding of and belief in the mission of the YWCA of Central Virginia which is to eliminate racism and empower women. All team members must have a commitment to promote racial equity and social justice advocacy.
2. High School degree required (diploma or GED). Must pass a criminal background check.
3. Two (2) years of experience and training in the field of human services and/or criminal justice required.
4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills including experience using Microsoft Office (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint). Comfort level using Microsoft Outlook 365 for email and shared calendars; willingness to learn to use Microsoft Teams and Slack
5. Experience using internet-based programs and common office equipment including Windows-based computers, printers, scanners, and fax machines.
6. Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and follow through with minimal direction and competing deadlines.
7. Attention to detail and being highly organized is a must.
8. Ability to work in partnership with a diverse multi-generational team
9. Focus on providing excellent client assistance and ensuring client confidentiality is kept.
10. Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
11. Flexibility in varied job assignments, including the ability to adapt to constantly changing priorities.
12. Team member must be energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive.
13. Access to reliable personal transportation, including having a driver’s license and legal ability to drive.
14. Ability to work with compassion and patience in a traumatic and frantic environment.

Preferred Qualifications
• Associates Degree with work experience in Social Work, Criminal Justice, or Psychology.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, or Psychology.
• Three (3) or more years in human services or criminal justice.
• Experience working with a diverse, multicultural population will be considered an asset
• Experience with nonprofit organizations

Victim Services Relief Worker

• Hours: Part-Time hours that could be evening, overnight, or weekend hours depending on need and employees’ availability.
• Rate of Pay: $9-10 per hour
• PDF Job Description: YWCA VS Relief Worker
• Applications accepted online only — if the ad has disappeared it may be paused to evaluate current applicants (we will not accept phone calls or emails): Indeed Application Link

Job Description: The YWCA of Central Virginia is seeking a team member to provide support services to the community and our Victim Services program clients through our domestic violence shelter, domestic violence, and sexual assault hotline services, and in our Children’s Supervised Visitation Center.  This multi-faceted position reports to the YWCA Senior Managing Director for Victim Services, in conjunction with the Associate Manager for Urban Shelter programs and the Supervised Visitation Center Coordinator.  The role has no supervisory responsibilities.  The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with youth and/or families in crisis, administrative experience, and a comfort level for working with community members and clients who may have been personally traumatized or exposed to trauma.

Job Qualifications

1. An understanding of and belief in the mission of the YWCA of Central Virginia which is to eliminate racism and empower women. All team members must have a commitment to promote racial equity and social justice advocacy.
2. High School diploma required. Experienced in providing customer service.  Must pass a criminal background check.
3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills including comfort levels with using Microsoft Office (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint). Comfort level using Microsoft Outlook 365 for email and shared calendars; willingness to learn to use Microsoft Teams and Slack
4. Experience using internet-based programs and common office equipment including Windows-based computers, printers, scanners, and fax machines.
5. Basic understanding of clerical procedures and systems such as recordkeeping and filing Comfort level with data entry in online programs, MS Excel, and other methods.
6. Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and follow through with minimal direction and competing deadlines.
7. Team members must be able to keep confidential information. Attention to detail and being highly organized is a must.
8. Must be a collaborative team member, must work positively in a team environment.
9. Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and follow through with minimal direction.
10. Ability to work with children and the ability to work with children and families in crisis. Must be comfortable intervening on behalf of the child’s safety and security.
11. Focus on providing excellent client assistance and ensuring client confidentiality is kept.
12. Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
13. Flexibility in varied job assignments, including the ability to adapt to constantly changing priorities.
14. Team members must be energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive. Access to reliable personal transportation, including having a driver’s license and legal ability to drive.
15. Impeccable professionalism that will be displayed when working with other team members, other YWCA staff members and volunteers, primary and secondary victims, and the public.
16. Ability to work with compassion and patience in a traumatic and frantic environment. Must be oriented towards developing the potential of victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and child abuse/neglect. Must have a strong grasp of principles of empathy.