Victim Services Relief Support Worker

Position Title: Victim Service Relief Support Worker

Reports to: Manager, Victim Services & Volunteer Programs

Supported by: Victim Service Medical Support Worker and Victim Service Coordinator

Start Date: ASAP

Application Deadline: Monday, August 31 at 5pm

Casual/On-Call: 64 hour on-call shifts, scheduled monthly and opportunity for occasional 8.75hr shifts Monday-Friday.

Pay rate: $27.85/hr

This is a U4 Step 1 rate as per the salary scale as stated in the Collective Agreement between Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre and MoveUP (COPE, Local 378).

Union: This is a Unionized position. Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre’s Union Representation is with MoveUP, (COPE, Local 378).

On call: This position requires the candidate be on-call during shifts they agree to work and available to attend VGH and UBC Urgent Care within 30 mins. Crisis line shifts can be worked remotely with the approval of the program Manager. 

Job Summary

The Victim Service Relief Support Worker will provide sexual assault response services to survivors of sexual assault from a feminist anti-oppression, intersectional, anti-colonial perspective. Services will include emotional support, practical assistance, advocacy, accompaniment, information and referrals to survivors of sexual assault. The Victim Service Relief Support Worker will work closely with the Victim Services team and the Victim Service Medical Support Worker to provide communication regarding afterhours accompaniments to ensure survivors receive appropriate wrap around care after being seen in hospital. They additionally may pick-up day-time shifts to answer the crisis line and/or Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre connect.

Organizational Status

Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre is a feminist, anti-oppressive, decolonizing not-for-profit organization who changes society through advocacy, outreach and education. Operating on unceded Coast Salish Territories, Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre advocates for and provides counselling and victim services support to survivors of all marginalized genders who have experienced violence in intimate relationships, sexual assault, and/or childhood sexual abuse. Committed to being aware of and mitigating the power dynamics informed by intersectional identities, Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre staff are called to enhance connections and collaboration and promote an atmosphere of safety in all aspects of their work. Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre staff believe in and model the values of capacity building, connection and relational competence through empathy, compassion, curiosity and assertive communication.

Work Performed

Victim Services

• Listen and interpret needs in order to provide emotional support, crisis response, safety planning, and required information for survivors receiving hospital accompaniment services, crisis line callers and other program clients, in accordance program standards and practices


• Conduct client intakes (e.g. obtain demographic information, provide information regarding victim service worker’s role, services offered by the organization and explaining issues related to confidentiality)


• During office hours answer agency Nationwide crisis line and/or Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre connect, provide support to program staff on projects and attend any hospital calls that come in


• Provide accompaniment and support at Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Urgent Care for survivors who are receiving medical services with the SAS


• Provide support services and orientation/information in preparation for court processes and trial procedures


• Provide support, as needed, to survivors in exercising their rights to report or not report to police. May involve supporting survivors through video interviews at Vancouver Police stations


• Provide after-hours, on-call hospital accompaniment back up, as scheduled, in each four-to-six-week period to Vancouver General Hospital Sexual Assault Service. These accompaniments occur outside of regular office hours 


• Must attend at Hospital within 30 minutes of receiving request


• Provide services in accordance with Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre’s policies/procedures and guidelines for the delivery of services 


• Liaise with and provide referrals to applicable community agencies


• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with the Victim Services Medical Support Worker, Victim Services Coordinator and Manager, Victim Services & Volunteer Programs ensure quality service delivery 

Education & Outreach

• Consult and liaise with community service agencies to develop community relationships and maintain up-to-date information on available resources


• Work effectively with other community agencies (e.g. medical staff and criminal justice system personnel) 


• Participate in making Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre’s internal culture and services more affirming and inclusive for all marginalized genders 

Operations

• Attend all required Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre team meetings (e.g. staff meetings, individual supervision, trainings) 


• Regularly participate in supervision with Victim Services Medical Support Worker, Victim Services Coordinator and/or Manager Victim Services & Volunteer Programs 


• Attend Clinical Supervision after hospital accompaniments 


• Participate in yearly performance appraisal


• Adhere to all Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre policies and procedures


• Ensure responsible use of Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre resources


• Perform other related duties as required by the Manager, Victim Services & Volunteer Programs

Working Conditions

Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre acknowledges that our work environment is directly impacted by all forms of oppression and the impact of colonialism. In this role, the Victim Service Relief Support Worker will almost always witness the impact that violence has on Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre’s service users and, by extension, the staff. The pace of work for the Victim Service Relief Support Worker is not always controlled by the employee. This position is almost always faced with multiple demands/tasks with time pressures to finish.

Consequences of Error/Judgement

This position requires judgment, tact, discretion, and initiative. Errors may result in moderate cost, loss of time and/or may impact the effectiveness and ability to continue operation of certain programs for clients, which could damage the reputation of the organization. Poor judgement or ineffective communications with relevant institutions, community partners, and clients could result in strained relations that compromise the effectiveness and credibility of Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary diploma (2-3 years) in a relevant field (e.g. Women’s/Gender Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Criminology), or equivalent combination of experience and education 


• Minimum of 6 months of recent related experience 


• Ability to support survivors across Provincial and Territorial jurisdictions


• Willing to take all relevant training for Victim Services provided by Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre


• Experience using a feminist, anti-oppression, intersectional, decolonizing approach in providing direct services to Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary and women survivors of sexualized violence


• Previous experience in the anti-violence sector is an asset


• Demonstrated success in working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds (e.g. cultural, religious, age, sexual orientation, etc.)


• Satisfactory completion of a criminal record check with vulnerable populations

Skills & Knowledge

• Committed to the ongoing development of feminist, anti-oppressive, decolonizing practice


• Knowledge of the social, emotional, health, and justice-related issues encountered by Vancouver/Lower Mainland women, Trans, Gender Diverse, and Two-Spirit survivors


• Able to take initiative and work independently with minimal supervision


• Able to identify problems and demonstrate resourcefulness and creativity in solving them


• Able to set goals, create and implement action plans, monitor progress towards goals and the process and results


• Able to work under pressure and multi-task ensuring deadlines and objectives are met


• Strong communicator (both verbal and written) 


• Computer literate with strong organization skills


• Recognizes the risks and vulnerabilities associated with front-line work and takes responsibility for their own mental and physical health through an ongoing commitment to personal and professional development


• Champions positive working relationships with a diverse set of colleagues, volunteers and external stakeholders


• Strong listening skills: able to follow direction and encourages open exchange of information and ideas using appropriate communication


• Promotes and contributes to a respectful, open and honest work environment

Please note that only those short-listed will be contacted for an interview.