Be part of a diverse and dynamic team delivering quality services to/for child victims with equity, respect, and care! 

At Safe Shores, our work is all about PEOPLE. Therefore, we center people in our programming, services, policies, practices, and operations. Which people? The children and families we serve AND the people who do the work, our staff. How? For our trauma-impacted clients, by honoring the humanity of every individual, delivering high-quality services tailored to their specific needs, which includes giving them the time and attention they need. For our staff, by listening, offering excellent benefits, paying competitive salaries, providing remote work flexibility (depending on the position), investing in professional development, pursuing JEDI, encouraging and facilitating self-care and wellness, prioritizing progress over perfection, and building a team of smart, dedicated pros who know that Safe Shores’ mission is best accomplished when we show up as our whole selves, support one another, and experience joy. Joy working with young victims of crime? Absolutely, yes! Mining joy is essential to offering hope, helping clients heal, and individual/organizational sustainability. 

We are currently searching for an experienced Teen Advocate. This is a full-time exempt position, with a starting salary range of $55,000 to $60,000. 

HOW WE PRIORITIZE THE PEOPLE WHO DO THE WORK (EMPLOYEE BENEFITS) 

To start, we recognize that co-workers impact the job experience. Safe Shores is intentional about assembling and supporting a team of individuals who are not just able, resourceful professionals, but just as importantly, people who are respectful, responsible, honest, and kind and who embrace Safe Shores' mission and values wholeheartedly, with a focus on racial equity, kindness, belonging, trustworthiness, integrity, and taking care to give care.
 

That said, our robust benefits for newly hired employees include: 

• Birthday Comp Day (Your birthday is a holiday for you!)
• Your Own Annual Professional Development Fund
• 13 days of paid vacation leave 
• 13 days of paid sick leave 
• 13 days of paid holidays 
• Paid personal leave 
• Paid parental leave 
• At least 75% employer-paid medical (PPO with lots of provider options), dental, and vision insurance 
• Dedicated Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• Employee appreciation and wellness events 
• Short- and long-term disability insurance 
• Life insurance 
• 403(b) Retirement Plan (Employer contribution after 1 year of service)
• Essential oils and diffusers for employee workspaces

Other benefits as applicable are as follows:

• For clinical professionals, Safe Shores provides clinical supervision that may be counted toward licensure as a benefit for the clinical positions.
• For clinical professionals, Safe Shores cover the cost of licensure fees in the District of Columbia. 
• For employees with a tenure of five+ consecutive years, Safe Shores offers paid sabbatical leave.

COVID-19 PROTOCOL

• Safe Shores is currently working in a hybrid work environment.
• Candidates will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon commencing employment. 
• Fully vaccinated means COVID-19 vaccination and any related booster vaccination(s) are required.

Reasonable accommodation may be available to enable persons with disabilities to perform essential job duties. The following is a summary of and not an all-inclusive list of the essential job duties.  

Summary:   The Teen Advocate is a role within the Client Advocacy Services department at Safe Shores. The teen advocate is responsible for providing advocacy, crisis intervention, and short-term ongoing advocacy services as needed to youth (ages 13-17) victims, and their non-offending family members as desired. Teen advocates may be the first point of contact for victims of sexual assault. The focus of teen advocacy support is to help reduce trauma for youth while informing them of their rights and options. The teen advocate helps youth identify and access services the youth may need, acting as a liaison with other agencies and service providers and supporting them throughout the investigative process as needed. This position requires the incumbent to work in an office, in the community, and virtually. Evening, weekend, and holiday hours are required. The incumbent is also required to participate in the on-call rotation for after hours and weekend SAVRAA (Sexual Assault Victims’ Rights Amendment Act of 2019) advocacy. This position requires mandatory reporting for child abuse and neglect under the District of Columbia Statute § 4-1321.02 when not acting within the defined role that provides an exemption to this mandate. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.  

• Build relationships within the Teen Advocacy Initiative and with other staff and key stakeholders, including members of the multidisciplinary team.  
• Provide direct advocacy support to teens (and family as desired) during the initial medical and/or law enforcement response to sexual assault. Assist teens/youth in identifying options available to them. Provide ongoing advocacy as needed. 
• Provide information to the teen/family regarding trauma and the impact of trauma, available support and service resources, victims’ rights, and the multidisciplinary team (MDT) investigation process. 
• Coordinate as appropriate with other involved service providers or government agencies, in accordance with the Sexual Assault Victims’ Rights Amendment Act of 2019 
• Provide accompaniment to teens and/or their families as needed for purposes related to victimization, including hospital visits and law enforcement interviews. 
• Troubleshoot barriers to accessing services with teens, family members, and professionals. 
• Perform a safety assessment of the teen and/or family and develop and recommend a safety plan for the teen victim and family in cases when appropriate. 
• Participate in regular individual supervision, staff meetings, in service training, and other meetings as required. 
• Maintain and assure quality and confidentiality of electronic and paper files and statistical tracking 
• Ensure a tranquil and safe environment for visiting teens and families by monitoring program space and providing support to staff as needed 
• Purchase, inventory, and stock supplies as needed to ensure all primary locations for service delivery have the supplies necessary for program service delivery, including gift cards, clothes, hygiene items, books, and food. 
• Track follow-up surveys to be sent and implement follow-up surveys as needed and as directed 
• Manage expenses and expense reports in alignment with the budget. 
• Enter client information into a computer database and other tracking systems in a timely manner 
• High level of comfort with technology and proficiency with MS Office applications and the internet; excellent writing skills.  
• Must have a driver’s license and the ability to drive to meet clients in the community. 
• Ability to successfully pass Child Protection Registry clearance and criminal background check.  

Supervisory Responsibilities 

This position has no supervisory responsibilities. 

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE 

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field, with at least two years of professional experience. Relevant professional experience would include knowledge and understanding of working with children, youth, and families who have experienced abuse and trauma, and/or general mental health practice.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field, with at least one year of professional experience. 
• LGSW or equivalent licensure in the District of Columbia is required, if eligible. 
• Oral and written Spanish language skills are strongly preferred. 
• Experience working with the criminal legal or child welfare systems.  

COMPUTER/TECHNOLOGY SKILLS 

High level of comfort with technology and proficiency with MS Office applications and the internet. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to touch or feel a computer, keyboard, monitor, telephone, Smart Phone, and talk or hear when interacting with employees. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee may regularly lift and /or move 15 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.   The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates must submit the following information to be considered for the position:

1. Resume with salary requirements 

2. Personal statement indicating your interest in the position and how your experiences will benefit Safe Shores.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Safe Shores is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be