Victim Advocate - Swing Shift

Lao Family Community Development, Inc. (LFCD) is a community development non-profit agency established in the City of Richmond in Contra Costa County in 1980. Today Lao Family has expanded its operations and service footprint to two additional counties including Alameda and Sacramento. LFCD’s headquarter office is in Oakland, CA. It delivers programs and services from 7 locations in 35 languages. The agency provides both community development real estate facilities and a diverse array of the workforce, education, and human service that directly support predominantly low-income US-born high barrier families and individuals, refugees, immigrants, transitional age youth, seniors, and other special populations such as individuals with disabilities.

Job Summary:
Under the direction of the Site Supervisor, the Victim Advocate will assist victims of crime by providing hotline crisis intervention, community referrals, support the on-site operations for a housing program for domestic violence survivors at LFCD safe house and shelter during a swing shift period of 6:00 PM-2:30 AM, and provide emergency on-scene response including transportation to and from LFCD safe house shelter during early evening/late night hours as needed and requested by community partners. The Victim Advocate will be required to work Monday-Friday and must have a flexible schedule for on-call related emergencies. 

Roles and Responsibilities: 

• Provide crisis intervention and emergency assistance in person and/or over the phone through the LFCD hotline; during and after business hours; to victims of domestic violence requiring emergency shelter and housing.
  
• Develop a strong liaison with law enforcement, hospital personnel, and human service agencies to accept and receive domestic violence survivors needing safe housing; confer with law enforcement officials and prosecutors on the status of the cases and serve as a liaison between victims and witnesses and Deputy District Attorneys or law enforcement officers. 
• Provide emotional support and encouragement to victims and witnesses in person, through the crisis hotline, or via email; respond to calls that require in-person advocacy.
  
• Support program and operational staff with data entry, file audits, logging of case notes, and monitor facility.
  
• Provide support during the intake process of new participants and exit of existing program participants, develop and implement actions plans, and provide advocacy, make referrals to other community resources.
  
• Maintain high visibility and availability throughout the facility and initiate contact with program participants; enforce program policy and procedures to ensure compliance among program participants and address issues as they arise.
• Monitor the facility to ensure all housing participants are following operation policy and procedures; conduct detailed walk troughs of the facility to identify, address, and report any security or maintenance issues; maintain a clean, safe, and secure facility by sanitizing, wiping, washing, sweeping, etc. in the common areas in the facility.
• Provide emergency transportation and/or on-call related tasks as needed.
• Other job duties as assigned.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in social work, psychology, criminal justice, or related field AND 1 year of experience preferred OR at least 4 years of experience in a related field providing case management to sensitive populations.
• Bilingual in Hmong, Mien, Lao, and/or Spanish; however bilingual in any second language will be considered.
• Ability to work and/or take phone calls after business hours including late nights, weekends, and holidays.
  
• Self-starter, ability to work with minimal supervision; excellent communication, community relations, networking, and public speaking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with families, women, and children without discrimination towards peoples of diverse cultures, races/ethnicity, socioeconomic positions, ages, religions, genders, physical/mental challenges/disabilities, and sexual orientations.
• Understand, explain, and apply complex local, state, and federal regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Able to travel to meet with service providers and participants; ability to work independently as well as part of a team; must have a flexible schedule on some evenings and weekends.
• Proficient computer skills in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, database management, and internet explorer.
• Must have a valid California Driver License, clean DMV record, and proof of current auto insurance and registration; must pass a background check. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and work on the computer; use hands to handle or feel and talk or hear; moving objects up to 25 pounds.

Compensation:

Salary based on experience and education, along with a comprehensive benefits package including health plan/vision, dental, paid vacations, holidays, sick leave, and employer contributed pension/group life insurance.

To Apply: Please submit your cover letter and resume. This position is open until filled and may be closed at any time.  

Lao Family Community Development Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (over 40), disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. LFCD is compliant with the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).