Safe Shores, the DC Children’s Advocacy Center, seeks a Youth Advocacy Initiative Manager. This is a full-time, exempt position with a starting salary range of $71,000 - $75,000 based on experience and advanced study.

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, we honor the humanity of every individual and deliver 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. 

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!)
• 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 
• 100% employer-paid medical (PPO with lots of provider options), dental, and vision insurance for the current 2024-2025 plan year
• Wellness stipend
• 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 one year of service)
• Essential oils and diffusers for employee workspaces
• Safe Shores offers paid sabbatical leave for employees with a five or more consecutive years tenure.

JOB SUMMARY

The Youth Advocacy Initiative (YAI) Manager provides leadership, management, and supervision to YAI staff and manages operations within the Youth Advocacy Initiative. This position requires the incumbent to work in the office, in the community, and virtually. Evening, weekend, and holiday hours are required. The incumbent is also required to participate as a backup supervisor for 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.   

• Provide individual supervision to staff and contractors within the Youth Advocacy Initiative.  
• Facilitate team meetings for staff and contractors within the Youth Advocacy Initiative. 
• Participate collaboratively as a member of Safe Shores’ management team. 
• Build relationships within the Youth Advocacy Initiative and with other staff and key stakeholders, including multidisciplinary team members (MDT).  
• Recruit and train new staff and contractors as needed in collaboration with Human Resources. 
• Lead program initiatives aligning with strategic planning and other program goals as needed. 
• Accurately track and share program data internally for grants and communications. 
• Maintain and prepare a monthly staffing schedule for the Youth Advocacy Initiative to ensure 24/7 coverage. 
• Represent the Youth Advocacy Initiative at case reviews and other MDT meetings as assigned. 
• Provide information to the youth/family regarding trauma and the impact of trauma, available support and service resources, victims’ rights, and the MDT investigation process. 
• Collaborate 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. 
• 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 supporting staff as needed. 
• Purchase, inventory, and stock supplies 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 within budget parameters. 
• Track client outcome measurement/satisfaction and implement and monitor follow-up surveys. 
• Manage program initiative budget, expenses, and staff expense reporting, including ongoing review, forecasting, and projections.   
• Review/audit client case information entered in the case record system and other tracking systems in a timely manner. 

Supervisory Responsibilities 

This position supervises Youth Advocacy Initiative staff and contractors. 

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or counseling and
• (5) Five years of experience rendering support, counseling, or assistance to sexual assault victims. Relevant professional experience would also include knowledge and understanding of working with children, youth, and families who have experienced abuse and trauma.  
• (2) Two years of supervisory experience successfully leading and managing a team.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the dynamics of human behavior, child and adolescent development, child maltreatment, and peer-on-peer violence.
• Heart of an advocate
• Understands leadership as support, motivation, care, encouragement, problem-solving, mentoring, collaboration, program co-creation, and accountability.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, or counseling with at least 3 years of experience rendering support, counseling, or assistance to sexual assault victims.   
• Licensed Health Professional (social work or counseling) in the District of Columbia.  
• Oral and written Spanish language skills are strongly preferred. 
• Experience working with the criminal justice or child welfare systems.  

EEO STATEMENT 

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.  

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, and BELONGING

Safe Shores expects all employees to respect and be sensitive to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and the cultural differences of applicants, other employees, and those we serve. We demonstrate this respect and sensitivity without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability (actual or perceived), source of income, place of residence or business, military service, and any other basis protected by federal or District of Columbia law. 

Interested in applying or want more information? Visit www.safeshores.org/careers!