JOB DESCRIPTION - Program Assistant (Victim Services)

Position: Program Assistant (Victim Services)

Wage: $17.50/hour

Reports to: Program Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Location: Visalia, CA

Supervises: N/A

Department: Advocacy & Legal Services

Language: English & Spanish, bilingual required 

About Family Services: Family Services is a private nonprofit organization, founded in 1983 - helping children, adults, and families heal from violence and thrive in healthy relationships. We serve victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse, and other trauma with emergency assistance, community-based advocacy, short- and long-term housing, and professional counseling. Our prevention programs help stop the cycle of abuse. We are working to build a community of safe homes, safe relationships, and safe children—which means a safer, healthier community for everyone. Family Services is highly committed to diversity and a workplace environment that respects, appreciates, and values employees from all backgrounds.

Summary: The Program Assistant performs clerical and administrative support to the Victim Service Division Department. This includes assisting all staff with general clerical duties, statistical reporting, greeting clients, and answering telephones.

Role Assignment: The current assignment is to assist with general clerical duties, statistical reporting, greeting volunteers and clients. Screen in for department/agency services; efficiently route calls internally/externally and provide appropriate referrals. Manage advocates calendar by scheduling, rescheduling appointment and making reminder phone calls. Act as the Victim Service Department (VSD) Penelope champion and update staff as needed; Support advocate with daily court filing/picking up orders. The assignment will also include providing confidential, trauma-informed crisis intervention, counseling and advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault and their significant others. The assignment will also include to create volunteers’ calendar, collect required grant volunteer data, work closely with supervisor on volunteer retention efforts; send out monthly email

to VPD (TEP) program to continue participation in the surveillance program. Monthly ordering of office supplies for the department; Attend all scheduled Team Meeting and take detail minutes. The program assistant may respond out to multiple locations including: hospitals, police departments, local court houses, etc. This will require some time travel throughout Tulare County This will require some travel throughout Tulare County and outside Tulare County at times as needed.

Responsibilities:

• General receptionist/clerical duties: Greet clients, answer and route phone calls and voice mails, copying, filing, mailings. Accurately transfer calls to the correct person.
• Screen potential clients, make appropriate referrals who do not meet grant requirements to other services/agencies
• Provide confidential, trauma-informed crisis intervention and peer-counseling to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
• Assist advocates in maintaining required statistics for grant funders, document activities and prepare reports as assigned in a timely, accurate, and complete manner.
• Maintain basic awareness of current laws pertinent to domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking victims e.g. restraining orders, stalking, custody considerations, etc.
• Be familiar with preparation and service of documents and pleadings with appropriate persons, being familiar with local court rules and requirements as pertaining to filings.
• Complete 40-hour Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor Training (provided as in-house and on-the-job training).
• Maintain regular communication with the Program Manager with reference to program needs and problems.
• Assist Advocates with scheduling appointments and meetings as well as providing accurate information for clients.
• Perform all tasks in a safe manner to avoid injury to self and others.
• Adherence to policies related to HIPAA, confidentiality, information sharing and appropriate use of agency client database.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Education: AA Degree or equivalent experience. Must possess, or be able to complete State approved two 40-hour trainings leading to certification as a domestic violence and sexual assault victim counselor.
• Experience: Minimum of two years of general office Clerical and or legal secretary experience. The Program assistant must demonstrate effective peer counseling/communication and writing skills and ability to work independently.
• Transportation: Valid California driver license, availability of automobile for business use, and at least minimal auto liability insurance coverage as required by law.
• Additional Requirement: Must receive clearance from Department of Justice Criminal Record Offender Information database. Bilingual English/Spanish required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Environment: Standard office setting; occasional travel from site to site; occasional exposure to sun, moderate heat, noise, dust, and fumes; stressful calls/situations.
• Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting and field environment including occasional travel to various locations; sit for prolonged periods of time; stand for brief periods of time; climb 3-5 stairs; operate office equipment including a computer keyboard. Lift up to 25 lbs.
• Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.
• Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
• The conditions described above must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Family Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

To Apply: Complete our online application below or download and submit an employment application with resume and cover letter by one of the following methods:

E-mail: hr@fstc.net