Victim Assistance Specialist
Petersburg, AK |
Employment Status: Full Time
Salary: $21.00-$24.50/hour
Benefits: Flexible paid time off; 13 paid holidays; weekly paid self-care time; retirement (up to 4% match after one year of employment); training and professional development opportunities.
Shift: Day shift with occasional nights and weekends
Report to: Executive Director
About WAVE
Working Against Violence for Everyone (WAVE) is a non-profit organization offering domestic
violence and sexual assault advocacy and prevention programming in Petersburg, Alaska. WAVE
believes that the root of violence lies in systems of oppression and to end the violence we must
address these systems. WAVE strives to address our focal societal issues by both helping victims
who are currently working to survive in the moment and also proactively taking steps to help prevent
these issues from happening to others in the future. A small, independent nonprofit, we are
continually seeking ways to grow and better serve our community.
Petersburg, Alaska
The community of Petersburg is located on the north end of Mitkof Island, one of several islands in
the Alexander Archipelago of Southeast Alaska. Petersburg is home to approximately 3,200
year-round residents and is a major fishing port. Our local schools have been nationally recognized
with awards for high excellence. Mitkof Island provides a stunning natural setting for residents and
visitors to enjoy. The Tongass National Forest, which surrounds Petersburg, offers a plethora of
recreational opportunities such as fishing, hiking, and kayaking/canoeing.
The Position
WAVE is seeking a full-time Victim Assistance Specialist to play a pivotal role in our mission to end
domestic violence and sexual assault while empowering individuals to make informed choices. The
Victim Assistance Specialist will report directly to the Executive Director and will be instrumental in
providing support to survivors and raising awareness.
The ideal candidate will have an interest in working towards ending domestic violence and sexual
assault while empowering people to make their own choices and explore options.
Our goal is to foster professional growth, and we intentionally support staff development through
relevant training workshops and educational opportunities.
We recognize that this type of work comes with exposure to trauma, and we prioritize the well-being
of our staff and work to create a sustainable work environment. Our office culture is centered around
the ongoing practice of self-care. We offer self-care time, holiday pay, and paid time off, and we
encourage a healthy work-life balance.
Our staff and volunteers assist and advocate for participants, using a trauma-informed approach
while focusing on prevention.
What you’ll do
Advocate-Initiated Response:
● Provide crisis intervention and emotional support to survivors of sexual assault and domestic
violence
● Conduct initial assessments to identify survivors’ immediate needs and safety concerns
● Assist survivors in understanding their rights and available resources
● Offer information on legal processes and provide support during court proceedings, if
applicable
Collaborations with Agencies:
● Collaborate closely with local law enforcement agencies to ensure a coordinated response to
incidents of sexual assault and domestic violence
● Participate in meetings and trainings with police officers to improve their understanding of
trauma-informed responses.
● Assist police in reaching out to victims and connecting them with resources and services
SART Coordination:
● Work in partnership with the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), which includes
professionals from law enforcement, healthcare, and advocacy sectors
● Coordinate and attend SART meetings and case reviews to ensure a trauma informed
holistic approach to survivor care
● Facilitate communication and information sharing among SART members to enhance victim
support
Community Outreach and Education:
● Conduct outreach and awareness campaigns to educate the community about sexual assault
and domestic violence prevention
● Develop and deliver training programs on these topics for community groups, schools, and
local organizations
● Educate public and program participants with basic information on power-based violence
including: systems of oppression, power dynamics, sexual assault, lethality and safety
planning
● Facilitate education and/or support groups, as needed
Data Collection and Reporting:
● Maintain accurate records of client interactions, services provided and outcomes
● Compile statistical data and generate reports as required for grant reporting and program
evaluation
Advocacy Services:
● Providing crisis intervention, advocacy and support to victims of power-based violence and
their children over the telephone, online, and in person
● Provide legal and systems advocacy with law enforcement, courts, medical services,
employment and other organizations
● Screen for admittance to services; Refer all individuals not meeting our admittance criteria to
the proper community agency
● Attend sexual abuse response exams when needed outside of normal business hours
● Assist in the training of new relief, permanent or volunteer advocates on policies and
procedures as requested
● Meet regularly with supervisor for supervision and support
● Build and support equity for underserved populations
● Report cases of suspected abuse or neglect of children or vulnerable adults to the Alaska
Office of Children’s Services or Adult Protective Services, as required
● Light cleaning duties
● Participate in the performance of other tasks essential to program operation and
maintenance
● Comply with WAVE personnel and administrative policies
What You’ll Bring to the Position:
● Have a thorough understanding of systems of oppression as the root cause of power-based
violence or the willingness to learn.
● Be able to provide services with a trauma informed approach or the willingness to learn.
● Have computer skills, including database entry.
● Experience in social work, women’s studies, education or a related field is desirable.
Minimum Qualifications:
● Ability to work independently, adaptable to change and self-directed.
● Pass a fingerprint FBI background check.
● Maintain confidentiality statutes.
● Support WAVE’s Philosophy: WAVE believes that violence is an unacceptable way to deal
with problems and that everyone has the right to be free from violence in their homes. Our
goal is to provide a place where anyone, regardless of sex, age, race, or sexual orientation,
can go to be safe and explore their options.
● CPR/First Aid certification or obtain within 3 months of hire.
● Complete 40 hours of training in domestic violence or sexual assault, crisis intervention,
victim support, treatment and related areas training within 3 months of hire.
Apply at www.petersburgwave.org/careers