ADVOCATE 3 (Victim Advocate)

Department Purpose

The UC Davis Center for Advocacy, Resources & Education (CARE) provides anti-oppressive and trauma-informed primary prevention, education, and advocacy to UC Davis students, faculty, staff, and affiliates who have been impacted by sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence, stalking, and gender identity and sexual orientation-based harassment. CARE approaches our work with a dedication to honoring each individual for who they are, the identities they hold, and the intersections of their experience. The CARE program exists to provide confidential crisis counseling and advocacy for UC Davis students, staff and faculty who have experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence, and stalking. Victim services include, but are not limited to, crisis intervention, safety planning, assistance with accessing victim’s rights and accommodations, case management, and assistance and accompaniment throughout the administrative and criminal reporting processes. Victims may access services at CARE by scheduling an appointment or by coming to the office during business hours. CARE also ensures emergency response during non-business hours. CARE is an independent office, with no reporting responsibility to Title IX or campus police. CARE also leads campus-wide efforts to prevent all forms of sexual violence, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence, and stalking. CARE designs and delivers a variety of educational programs, trainings for professionals, and awareness events and materials to support the mission of UC Davis. CARE staff collaborate extensively with campus and community partners to ensure comprehensive and inclusive advocacy and prevention services at UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Director, the Victim Advocate for CARE is an experienced professional with in-depth knowledge in the overall field of crisis counseling and advocacy for survivors of sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence, stalking, and harassment based on gender identity and sexual orientation. This position works directly with victims of violence and abuse, providing in-person confidential crisis counseling, risk assessment and safety planning, advocacy, and accompaniment. Given the nature of the work, this position requires frequent problem solving and analysis of unique and high-risk situations, strong skills to manage one’s own trauma-exposure response, and excellent judgement to know when supervision and consultation is necessary.
The Victim Advocate, experienced in working with victims of violence and abuse, provides trauma-informed and comprehensive survivor advocacy and support, while preserving the victim’s confidentiality, in an atmosphere that may require making quick judgment calls. The Victim Advocate provides confidential crisis counseling and psychoeducational support, safety planning, assistance with obtaining protective orders, accompaniment to evidentiary exams, support and case management through the criminal justice and/or Title IX reporting process, including accompaniment to investigative interviews, assistance with academic, housing, and employment accommodations, and other advocacy and accompaniment services in order to support the victim. The Victim Advocate has strong knowledge of victims’ rights and options as outlined in law and in policy and is proactive in maintaining their expertise though continued education and research.

This position provides services, including occasional services outside of business hours, to UC Davis and UC Davis Health staff, faculty, academic appointees, and students, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students, as well as other individuals who experienced assault or abuse on UC Davis and UC Davis Health property. While the Victim Advocate supports both UC Davis and UC Davis Health, this position is located on the Davis campus. Occasional travel between Davis and Sacramento, as well as other potential locations, may be necessary to fulfill the mission of the program.

Position Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Move and transport marketing/training materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

https://ucdavispolicy.ellucid.com/documents/view/271

• Must provide own transportation and have the ability to travel to various sites.
• Work with constant interruptions; communicate on a telephone; work with computers; work in an area with noise from various sources; work with deadline pressures and be available to respond to crisis situations outside regular business hours as needed.
• Listen, communicate, convey and exchange information for extended periods of time.
• Employee is personally responsible for following health and safety guidelines/instructions.
• Variable work schedule that may include some evenings/nights and weekends to fulfill mission of the program.
• Limited or restricted vacation during peak periods; typically April, May,
  and October.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

Additional Minimum License/Certification

• Completion of training required by Evidence Codes 1035.2 and 1037.1 for certification as a Sexual Assault Counselor and Domestic Violence Counselor in the State of California. Completion of both certifications within four months of hire is permitted.

Minimum Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, public health, sociology or related field; or equivalent experience and training.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)

• Demonstrated ability to provide confidential crisis counseling and advocacy to individuals who have experienced sexual harassment and assault, sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence, and stalking, including skills to assess varying levels of emotional distress and react appropriately. Ability to exercise professional judgement, decision making, and problem solving.

• Knowledge of social justice concepts and trauma-informed practices, and skills to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and identities.

• Skills to communicate professionally and effectively, verbally and in writing. Interpersonal and communication skills to handle sensitive or difficult situations with compassion and discretion.

• Strong organizational skills to independently prioritize and complete work under multiple, competing deadlines and frequent interruptions.

• Skills to work with key partners, including community services, law enforcement and prosecutors, to maintain relationships and strengthen advocacy efforts for victims.

• Skills to use computer programs such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, as well as case tracking systems, and teleconference tools such as Zoom.

Preferred:

Preferred Education/Experience

• A qualified psychotherapist; has a master’s degree in counseling or a related field; or has one year of counseling experience, with at least six months in rape crisis counseling.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)

• Multilingual with the ability to provide services and written correspondence in Spanish, Mandarin or Cantonese.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the personal, social, and intellectual developmental needs, problems and characteristics of University students, staff and faculty members.
• Knowledge of California laws and University of California policies, procedures, and resources related to sexual harassment and sexual violence, including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence, and stalking.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Background Check

This position is a critical position and subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background investigation including criminal history and identity checks. 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At UC Davis, we’re solving life’s most urgent challenges to bring a fuller, healthier, and more resilient world within reach. We grow from every challenge we take on and we don’t just maintain - we improve.

We recognize that creating an inclusive and intellectually vibrant organization means understanding and valuing both our individual differences and our common ground. The most comprehensive solutions come from the most diverse minds, and you belong here. 

As you consider joining UC Davis, please explore our Principles of Community , our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education, and our latest efforts to outgrow the expected .

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.