Advocacy & Outreach Specialist (Project Management)

Job Title: Advocacy & Outreach Specialist
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Department: Advocacy
Reports to: Coordinator of Advocacy

Since 1975 Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) has been an essential part of the Kansas City metro. Our mission is to improve the lives of those impacted by sexual abuse and assault, and to prevent sexual violence in our community. We are seeking a human services professional with a commitment to providing advocacy and outreach services to members of our community who have experienced sexual abuse and assault.

At MOCSA we are committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA) and invite you to be part of our dedicated and passionate team. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces and encourages differences in age, color, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make us unique. Individuals who have been personally impacted by sexual violence are encouraged to apply. We believe that each employee is key to our success, and inclusion is everyone's responsibility.

SUMMARY
Provides advocacy to victims of sexual violence, conducts outreach to bring awareness to sexual violence and improve response to victims.

JOB OBJECTIVES
I. Provide Face-to-face Advocacy
a. Provide crisis intervention and advocacy to adolescent and adult victims/survivors during sexual assault forensic evidence collection examinations; advocate for victims/survivors as they participate in the criminal justice system.
b. Provide personal advocacy to victims/survivors and their family/support system.
c. Coordinate with law enforcement, prosecutors, and other criminal justice system service providers to assist victims/survivors.
d. Ensure all advocacy activities are appropriately documented.

II. Crisis Intervention
a. Provide information, support, safety planning and crisis intervention to callers on the 24-hour crisis line during regular business hours.
b. Serve as staff-on-call managing the operation of the crisis line and victim advocacy response after regular business hours on occasion throughout the year; and supervise volunteers while on-call.
c. Ensure all crisis line activities are appropriately documented.

III. Facilitate Support Groups
a. Conduct a weekly psycho-educational support group for victims/survivors.
b. Ensure all support group activities are appropriately documented.

IV. Provide Professional and Community Outreach
a. Conduct outreach and professional education activities with criminal justice system partners, social service agencies, faith-based organizations, and other agencies as identified.
b. Provide professional and community education on topics of sexual violence.
c. Act as a representative of MOCSA at various community meetings and events.
d. Assist with training of crisis line and advocacy volunteers, interns and new staff on crisis line and advocacy procedures as needed.
e. Ensure all outreach activities are appropriately documented.

The responsibilities described represent the primary responsibilities of the job. Other responsibilities may be assigned by the supervisor as warranted by business needs. The incumbent is expected to do all assigned responsibilities. Grant funds may only be used for the provision of approved activities.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION
Minimum Qualifications
The position requires a Bachelor's Degree in human services, social work, criminal justice, or related field and one year of professional experience or a combined equivalent of education and experience in victim advocacy or community outreach. Demonstrated organizational and interpersonal skills and excellent communication.

Preferred Qualifications
Training in sexual or domestic violence victim advocacy and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with community partners, such as law enforcement, prosecutors and other social service providers strongly desired. Experience working with diverse communities, ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and fluency in Spanish preferred.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
Work is typically performed in an office environment. While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and lift up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.
At MOCSA, the health and safety of our team and the individuals we serve is our number one priority. That's why all offers of employment are contingent on the candidate successfully passing a criminal and child abuse and neglect background check. Additionally, MOCSA requires proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid 19 by the first day of work (one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine). Applicants in need of an exemption from this policy due to a medical reason, or because of a sincerely held religious belief, must submit a completed request for accommodation form to the human resources department to begin the interactive accommodation process as soon as possible. Accommodations will be granted where they do not cause MOCSA undue hardship or pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.
Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve non-routine and complex problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work under intensive deadlines with frequent interruptions; and interact with clients, staff, administration, funders, and others encountered in the course of work.

WORK HOURS
This is a full-time position; business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular evening and occasional weekend work will be required as job duties demand.

TRAVEL
Regular travel throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area to perform advocacy and outreach services.

BENEFITS
Full time benefits include 15 days of vacation, 16 paid holidays, 12 sick days, birthday holiday, winter break, 89% employer covered health insurance, 100% employer paid dental, life, and long-term disability Insurance, and 2% 403(b) match. The salary range for this position is $46,000 - $54,000 depending on education and experience.