Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (Rathgeber Village)

SAFE Alliance seeks Sexual Assault Victim Advocates for the Community Services in the Sexual Assault Services department. The Sexual Assault Victim Advocate provides trauma-informed, client-centered crisis intervention, medical accompaniment, legal advocacy, and support to survivors of sexual assault. This position responds to medical facilities and designated accompaniment locations throughout Travis County and surrounding areas, providing survivors with information, emotional support, safety planning, and advocacy during forensic medical examinations and interactions with law enforcement. Advocates work collaboratively with forensic nurse examiners, first responders, and community partners to support survivors in navigating crisis situations and accessing critical resources.

SAFE Alliance:

The SAFE Alliance exists to stop abuse for everyone by serving the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence. We are dedicated to ending violence through prevention, advocacy, and comprehensive services for individuals, families, and communities that have been affected by abuse.

Over the past two years, SAFE has served 11,397 clients across our programs. During that time, SAFE reached more than 50,000 community members through over 2,000 trainings, provided more than 150,000 nights and days of shelter and housing support, and delivered over 53,000 crisis intervention and advocacy services through our 24/7 hotline, walk-in advocacy, and direct support programs.

No matter what your role at SAFE Alliance you will make a difference, because together we can Stop Abuse For Everyone.

Perks and Benefits of Working at SAFE Alliance*:

• Employee Only: Health insurance, short-term disability, and life insurance are employer paid with an option to purchase additional dependent coverage.
• Eligibility for Paid time off accruals of up to 15 days a year prorated based on hire date and hours worked.
• 8 standard paid holidays throughout the year.
• Depending on your date of hire, up to 4 Personal Holidays are granted to use at your preference throughout the year.
• A comprehensive voluntary benefits plan that includes dental, vision, flexible spending, and various insurance programs including pet insurance.
• 403(b) retirement plan with an ability to contribute immediately. You can earn an employer match of 100% up to 1% of your pay and a discretionary contribution of 2% of your pay whether you contribute to the Plan, after one year of eligible service.
• SAFE Alliance benefit plans are effective the first day of the month following thirty days of continuous employment.

*Benefit plans and benefit start dates are prorated based on date of hire and hours worked. Eligibility in employer paid benefits, paid time off and holidays are dependent upon full-time employment status and/or hours worked and may be subject to change.

Application Information and Instructions:

• We do NOT accept applications or resumes via email, LinkedIn or any other social media messaging service.
• Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. You will be contacted via email regarding the status of your application whether you have been selected or not to move forward in the process.
• All new employees regardless of status will be required to start their employment on either the 1st or 16th of the month. If the 1st or 16th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the start date will be moved to Friday or Monday, respectively.
• All employees will be required to attend a three-day new employee orientation that is held both in-person and virtually the first three business days of the month.
• If you or someone you know are in need of our services, please call 512.267.7233, text 737.888.7233 or chat at
  safeaustin.org.

Position Details:

We are looking for several people to work on a Full-time, exempt basis for an hourly rate of $50,00 - $52,000

The work location will be based at Rathgeber Village Campus in the Mueller area of Austin. This position requires in-person service delivery at medical facilities and other designated accompaniment locations throughout Travis County and surrounding areas. Some travel in the community or between campuses is required.

Availability to work full-time (40 hours per week), including evening/night/weekend hours required. This position requires a flexible work schedule in order to meet the demands of the Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy program. Attendance is required once a month at an evening team meeting. This position requires participation in a 24/7 On Call rotation.Advocates must respond to dispatches within 60 minutes for locations within Travis County and 90 minutes for locations outside Travis County. Active accompaniments cannot be handed off and may extend beyond the scheduled shift.

This position requires driving. You must have a valid, State of Texas Driver's License (If in possession of an out-of-state license, obtain a State of Texas Driver's License within 90 days of beginning employment.) AND at least three (3) consecutive years of driving experience OR one (1) year of driving experience if over 27 years of age AND an acceptable driving record that covers at least the last three years of driver history.

FLSA Status: Exempt (not eligible for overtime)

Reports to: Director of Sexual Violence Advocacy

Supports: Sexual Assault Services team efforts, including medical accompaniment, crisis intervention, legal advocacy, and survivor support.

Collaborates/coordinates with: Sexual Assault Services staff, forensic nurse examiners, medical professionals, law enforcement, first responders, and community partners to provide coordinated, trauma-informed services to survivors of sexual assault.

Essential Functions:

• Responds to dispatches to medical facilities and other designated accompaniment locations throughout Travis County and surrounding areas within established response times.
• Provides trauma-informed, client-centered crisis intervention, emotional support, safety planning, and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault.
• Provides sexual assault medical accompaniment and remains onsite with survivors throughout forensic medical examinations and until the survivor leaves.
• Remains in the building with the forensic nurse examiner at Eloise House until the examination concludes.
• Provides survivors with information regarding medical and legal options, available resources, and support services during sexual assault medical response.
• Provides advocacy and support related to detective interviews and law enforcement response, as assigned.
• Maintains a client-focused approach that prioritizes survivor needs, strengths, confidentiality, and self-determination.
• Demonstrates sound judgment, situational adaptability, and professionalism when responding to unexpected circumstances in medical and crisis-response environments.
• Collaborates with forensic nurse examiners, first responders, law enforcement, and community service providers to support coordinated survivor services.
• Establishes rapport and trust with survivors while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and avoiding self-disclosure.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation of client interactions, services provided, and program activities in accordance with agency policies and applicable regulations.
• Participates in team meetings, supervision, required training, and ongoing professional development.
• Maintains confidentiality and complies with local, state, and federal privacy laws and regulations.
• Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among survivors, coworkers, and community partners.
• Supports program development, data collection, and evaluation efforts as needed.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• With reasonable accommodation, this position requires the manual dexterity to sufficiently operate phones, computers, and other office equipment.
• Must be able to effectively perform visual, auditory, and communication-related functions necessary to provide services and respond to client needs, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written formats.
• Must be able to remain standing and work in confined or small spaces for periods of two or more hours, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time and occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to travel to hospitals, shelters, police stations, courts, and other designated accompaniment locations as program needs require.
• Must be able to work in environments involving distressed clients, crisis situations, nighttime driving, adverse weather conditions, and medical facilities.
• This position requires in-person service delivery. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided and required.
• Must have reliable access to a smartphone, tablet, or other internet-enabled device during assigned on-call periods to receive calls, communicate, and access schedules. Agency-issued devices are available as needed.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum one (1) year of experience providing crisis stabilization support, advocacy, or case management services to trauma or sexual assault survivors required.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and survivor-centered advocacy practices required.
• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field preferred; equivalent lived, work, or volunteer experience will be considered.
• Experience working with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, child neglect, stalking, and/or human trafficking preferred.
• Experience in social services, case management, legal advocacy, or crisis response preferred.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English preferred.

Certification & Training

• Completion of Core Advocate Training within six (6) months of hire is required.
• Completion of Sexual Assault Medical Accompaniment Training (20 hours) is required.
• Office of the Attorney General (OAG) training is required annually.
• New Employee Orientation and annual Defensive and Distracted Driving Training are required.
• Participation in additional department-specific training and professional development as required by the agency and/or supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of issues related to gender-based violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking.
• Strong crisis intervention, de-escalation, problem-solving, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to work effectively with forensic nurse examiners and other first responders in sexual assault medical accompaniment settings.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and adapt quickly to unexpected circumstances in medical and crisis-response environments.
• Ability to remain calm while providing crisis stabilization and establishing rapport and trust with survivors without self-disclosure.
• Ability to remain present and supportive during a survivor's crisis while maintaining appropriate separation between the survivor's experience and the Advocate's own experiences.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills when working with diverse populations.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and appropriate ethical boundaries.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining a collaborative and team-oriented approach.
• Demonstrates appropriate proficiency in Microsoft Office and database management systems.
• Knowledge of local medical, criminal justice, and social service agencies preferred.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and organized records while managing multiple priorities.
• Must pass all required criminal history background checks, including applicable agency clearances, and complete required TB screening.
• Adheres to The SAFE Alliance Guiding Principles, Mission, Standards of Conduct, Core Competencies, and Confidentiality Policy.

The purpose of this position description is to serve as a general summary and overview of the major duties and responsibilities of the job. It is not intended to represent the entirety of the job nor is it intended to be all-inclusive. Therefore, the position may be required or requested to perform other work duties not specifically listed herein. The organization reserves the right to modify, defer or rescind this position description at any time, with or without prior notice. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.