Advocacy and Prevention Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Advocacy & Prevention Specialist is responsible for assisting survivors in dealing with the immediate and long-term impact of victimization, as well as working in the community to offer programming intended to prevent sexual violence. The Specialist will also be the designated campus advocate working with student survivors going through the Title IX processes, acting as advisor of choice when requested. In addition to direct services to a caseload of clients, the Specialist is responsible for providing high-quality prevention education to youth, adults, and professionals with the goal of reducing sexual assault and other forms of violence, by promoting bystander intervention, and increasing awareness of resources for survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones. The Specialist position requires an interest and comfort with public speaking and education in school, campus, community, and professional settings. The Specialist is also responsible for coverage of the Survivor Support Services (SSS) 24/7 hotline which will include mandatory after-hours on-call time. Flexibility in work schedule is essential; some evenings and weekends required. This is a full-time community-facing position and involves travel within the region about 50% of the time.  

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

DIRECT SERVICES                                                                                                                                (50%)

·         Provide crisis intervention, emotional support and advocacy services to sexual assault survivors and victims of crime as needed.

·         Provide medical, criminal justice, and personal accompaniment services when requested and/or needed.

·         Provide advocacy services when requested and/or needed, as well as campus specific advocacy through the Title IX processes.

·         Provide direct service duties like staffing the 24-hour hotline and assisting with support groups

·         Help develop initial case plans and ongoing strategies for advocacy.

·         Assist in developing and/or coordinating supportive activities to individuals and groups.

·         Provide assistance in completing crime victim compensation applications.

EDUCATION & OUTREACH                                                                                                        (25%)

·         Successfully complete facilitator trainings for various curricula offered by SSS.

·         Facilitate both internally and externally developed curricula to youth, adult, and professional audiences with fidelity. 

·         Prepare materials, including but not limited to replenishing outreach supplies and handouts as well as evaluation surveys.

·         Collect demographic and required data from workshop and training participants.

·         Promote and engage in meaningful outreach programs to community members, organizations, parents, and professionals.

·         Promote SSS through outreach and education at health fairs, schools, community programs, etc.

·         Organizes education and outreach events on campus in collaboration with campus and community partners.

·         Stays current on research and participates in ongoing training opportunities related to bystander invention, trauma informed care, and prevention of sexual assault, dating and intimate partner violence, child sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and digital abuse.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT                                                                                                                            (10%)

·         Develop cooperative working relationships with other agencies, organizations, and campus offices.

·         Inform key professional groups in the community about available services for crime victims including sexual assault, interpersonal violence, and homicide.

·         Plans and prepares exhibits for community events and assists in planning and promotion of key awareness initiatives including Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

·         Supports on-going administration, promotion, and creation of program’s social media platforms.

ADMINISTRATIVE                                                                                                                               (10%)

·         Maintains DOH Rape Crisis Counselor/Advocate certification via successful completion of mandatory continuing education hours.

·         Keep service data, create reports about funded projects, and meet other project objectives according to grant specifications.

·         Support the manager in revising and updating workshops as needed.

·         Conduct regular curricula review to ensure programs are inclusive, accessible, and accurate.

·         Maintain case files.

·        Assist in preparing monthly & quarterly statistical reports.

·         Provide office coverage as assigned.

·         Attend staff meetings and assist in the evaluation of the program.

·         Participate in program planning.

·         Assist county coordinator in developing and maintaining community-agency relations.

·         Perform other duties as assigned within a team-based work environment.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATION                                                                                                        (5%)

·         Assist in the recruitment, training and support of volunteer staff.

·         Assist in the coordination of volunteer coverage of 24-hour Crisis Hotline, to include evenings and weekends.

·         Provide assistance and consultation for volunteers as needed or when requested

·         Participate in volunteer evaluation.

CORE COMPETENCIES

·         A demonstrated commitment to PPGNY’s mission related to bodily autonomy, health equity, and gender and racial justice

·         A demonstrated commitment to learning about and enhancing practices related to racial equity and its impact on healthcare systems.

·         Strong relationship building and communication skills, including an ability to work and build trust across cultural differences related to related to race, class, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin or ability; and to reflect on one’s personal identity with humility.

·         Ability to provide compassionate, non-judgmental and culturally responsive care across race, class, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin or ability; and demonstrates deep sense of accountability to patient experience.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

Interpersonal

·         Superior public speaking and facilitation/teaching skills

·         Excellent customer service and communication skills

·         Ability to remain focused and calm in stressful situations

·         Excellent interpersonal and verbal skills

·         Superior oral and written communication skills

·         Ability to develop and maintain effective, professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders

·         Ability to work effectively as part of team

·         Excellent listening and relationship building skills

·         Demonstrated experience engaging the community

Technical

·         Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Canva, or similar software

·         Familiarity with Microsoft Excel

·         Familiarity with Client Database

·         Comfort using virtual tools for program delivery and community networking

Work Habits/Attributes

·         Keen attention to detail

·         Excellent organizational skills

·         Comfortable and proficient with public speaking and facilitating curricula

·         Outstanding time management skills, including the ability to work under deadline

·         The ability to produce high quality work in a fast-paced environment with changing and/or competing priorities

·         Ability to exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making skills

·         Ability to produce reliable, high quality work with minimal direct supervision

·         Ability to exercise discretion in the handling of confidential information

·         Ability to demonstrate and document evidence-based clinical judgment

·         Ability to work a flexible or extended schedule, including evenings and weekends, as operational demands require

·         Well-developed problem-solving and critical thinking skills

·         Commitment to violence prevention, sexual and reproductive health, LGBTQ+ rights and justice, accessibility, and racial equity

• Education, lived experience, and/or professional experience related to advocacy, prevention, and community engagement.
• Ability to work cooperatively with different types of personalities.
• Ability to work in community, external agencies & organizations
• Flexible schedule necessary: evening and/or weekend work is required
• Keep confidential all client information.
• Understand and accept PPGNY’s Personnel Policies.
• Follows all safety and security guidelines.
• Valid NYS Driver’s License with use of personal vehicle is required.
• Ability to travel is required

• Bilingual- Spanish/English
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques and case management responsibilities; human behavior and needs at times of crime and crisis; behavioral health, social services, and other community resources; the criminal justice system, NYS Criminal Code, and Rights of victims, police department operations, policies, and procedures
• Experience with working on-call and operating a hotline.

• Requires prolonged sitting and repetitive tasks including use of a computer. Periodic standing, walking, bending. Requires lifting or moving of up to 25 pounds of programming or event materials. Must be able to occasionally walk up and down stairs. Visual acuity sufficient to perform frequent work on a computer screen and review printed reports and other materials. Requires the ability to hear and to communicate orally with others. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets, and will require reaching, grasping, pushing and pulling.

• This job operates in a professional office environment. Potential exposure to communicable diseases and other conditions in a health center environment. Requires travel to various indoor and outdoor environments to conduct programming or events. Requires flexible schedule and during peak activity periods work in excess of 7.5 hours per day and/or 37.5 hours per week.

PPGNY's benefits package includes:

Generous PTO and holiday schedule

Medical, dental and vision coverage options for you and eligible dependents

FSA, HSA, Commuter pre-tax reimbursement funds

Short- and Long-Term Disability, Free Basic Life and AD&D

401(k) Retirement Plan with Safe Harbor contributions after 1 year of employment

All positions at PPGNY require:

Proof of immunization or immunity to certain communicable diseases (including influenza during the flu season and Covid-19) and testing for tuberculosis. These certifications are required by the NYC DOHMH Health Code, NYSDOH and OSHA.

Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) is a leading provider, educator, and advocate of sexual and reproductive health care in New York State. PPGNY is proud to provide a wide-range of family planning services at our brick-and-mortar health centers and mobile care units. We care for everyone regardless of their immigration status, zip code or ability to pay. PPGNY’s education and outreach programs are backed by medically accurate, evidence-based information that allows people to make informed decisions about their health and future. As a voice for reproductive freedom, PPGNY supports legislation and policies that ensure all New Yorkers have access to the full range of reproductive health care and education.

At PPGNY, we provide the absolute best care to our patients and our communities through innovative health care delivery and education programming. We care for everyone who walks through our doors regardless of insurance, ability to pay or immigration status. As a leading voice for reproductive freedom, PPGNY fiercely advocates for policies to ensure that all New Yorkers will have access to the full range of reproductive health care services and information.

PPGNY is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe we are most impactful when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with common purpose. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.