Domestic Violence Court Advocate

Position:

Domestic Violence Court Advocate

Division:

Tribal Affairs

Department:

Human Services

Reports To:

Domestic Violence Program Supervisor

Location:

Open

Exempt/Non-Exempt:

Non-exempt

Salary:

Grade 7 ($17.52 - $26.70)

Classification:

Part-Time (28 hours per week)

Summary:

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is a federally recognized Tribe with its ancestral homeland located in Niobrara, NE. The Tribe does not have a reservation in the classic definition; rather, the Ponca Restoration Act defined its jurisdiction as a 'Service Delivery Area' comprised of 15 counties throughout parts of Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. Within its Service Delivery Area, the Tribe offers a broad range of health, social, educational, and cultural services.

Individual shall work within the Ponca Tribe Human Services Department to determine the extent of domestic violence within the Tribe's service area. The main purpose is to provide information, advocacy, support, and assistance to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking seeking assistance through the Ponca Tribal Court. The Domestic Violence Court Advocate will provide effective court and family outreach advocacy.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Ensures the availability of advocacy services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in all service areas of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.
2. Assists with outreach within the service area as needed to reach victims of domestic, family, and sexual violence to ensure awareness of the program and services.
3. Ensure forms, policies, and standards are trauma-focused and culturally sensitive.
4. Facilitate community education to raise public awareness of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking within our communities.
5. Elicit input and feedback from survivors and partner agencies to ensure continuous program improvement.
6. Maintains strict confidentiality at all times.
7. Travels to service areas of the Ponca Tribe to perform duties.
8. Establish connections with Tribal and State courts to extend our network, share resources, and best practices in working with survivors.
9. Develop a training plan for court-based, court-related personnel as well as child welfare professionals.
10. Provide culturally competent training opportunities for agencies within the Service Delivery Area that serve survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
11. Develops partnerships with nonprofit, non-governmental victim services agencies in the respective service areas that can assist the tribe in its efforts to meet the needs of domestic, family, and sexual violence survivors.
12. Creates and maintains files to capture elements of reporting requirements and activities.
13. Other duties as

Relationships and Authority:

Travel and work within the scope of performing services for Tribal members impacted by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking residing within the Service Delivery Areas of the Ponca Tribe per grant guidelines.

Working Environment and Physical Demands:

This position is in a professional office environment. This position requires frequent verbal and written communication including face-to-face, virtual, and telephone interactions. At times staff may be required to work with clients who are in crisis and must demonstrate empathy, understanding, respect, and advocacy while remaining calm in stressful situations.

This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, scanners, and photocopiers. This staff will sit, stand, bend, lift, and move intermittently during work hours. This position will be subject to potentially emotionally disturbing material as presented to staff, clients, and outside entities.

Will be required to work outside normal business hours to include evenings and weekends.

Extensive travel throughout the Ponca Service Delivery Area will be required and occasional travel outside of the Service Delivery Area.

Qualifications:

Minimum:

1. Associate Degree in counseling, human service, or related field or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
2. One year of experience working with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
3. One year of experience working with courts, tribal or state.
4. One year of experience developing, assisting, and utilizing community resources.
5. Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint programs.
6. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
7. Valid driver's license and be insurable.
8. Successfully pass drug and alcohol testing, motor vehicle, education, character, and criminal background** checks.
9. Able and willing to travel.

Preferred:

1. Bachelor Degree in counseling, human service or related field or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
2. One year of experience of grant and budget management.
3. One year of experience working with LGBTQ+2S survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
4. One year of experience working with Native Americans or Native American organizations.
5. Knowledge and understanding of Public Law 93-638 Indian Self-Determination Act.

Preference will be given to Ponca Tribe of Nebraska members or members of a federally recognized tribe. However, all qualified individuals are eligible.

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is an at-will employer.

**This position must comply with Public Law 101-630, Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act and 25 CFR Part 63 Indian Child Protection Act.

Tribal Council Approval: 04/16/2024