Call for Volunteer Victim Advocate

PURPOSE OF JOB: Life is forever changed after an impaired driving crash. Victims/survivors are often left bereaved, injured and financially devastated. With the emotional, financial and legal issues they face on a daily basis, victims/survivors need support to confront the challenges that lie ahead. Volunteer victim advocates are responsible for providing victim services to victims/survivors of impaired driving who may be in need of crisis intervention, emotional support, practical guidance, community referrals and support groups. Services are delivered in-person, by telephone and in writing.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work closely with volunteer coordinator and MADD Colorado to receive cases, support and training
• Provide effective and timely assistance to victims/survivors of impaired driving who contact MADD for services 
• Identify victims/survivors of impaired driving crashes by way of newspaper articles, police reports or other means. Send a MADD We Care Card to these victims/survivors as a primary means of contact
• Assess victims/survivors’ needs for emotional support, information and referrals, implementing beneficial interventions based upon the assessment of needs
• Provide both on-going risk management and emotional support to maintain a current assessment of victims/survivors’ coping and need for further referrals
• Establish and utilize a network of community partners in the criminal justice, legal, medical and social service systems to facilitate assistance for victims/survivors
• Collect and maintain community resource information, sharing this information with victims/survivors and other victim advocates
• Accompany victims/survivors to justice proceedings as deemed appropriate (average of once per month)
• Provide advocacy to victims/survivors by assisting in the protection of victims/survivors’ rights, facilitating in the exercising of rights and providing education about the criminal and civil justice processes
• Maintain accurate case records, statistical information and grant reports according to MADD and grant guidelines; and turn in case notes to the MADD Colorado Victim Services Department weekly
• Assist in the development, facilitation and implementation of appropriate victim/survivor programs

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Sensitivity to the needs of victims/survivors of impaired driving
• Ethical behavior and respect for confidentiality
• Ability to communicate effectively, set boundaries and organize reasonable communication and interaction plans with victims/survivors

TRAINING:

• Online Victim Assistance training 
• Completion of the Beginning Victim Assistance Training Institute (April 29-30, Denver, CO)
• Ongoing training provided, as necessary

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Age 18 or older
• Background check 
• One-year commitment
• Monthly check-in with MADD Colorado’s Victim Services Department
• Reliable transportation

Please submit your application (download here) to Ilana Kurtzig no later than March 15, 2016.

Contact information:

Ilana Kurtzig, Programs Specialist, 303.425.5902 or ilana.kurtzig@madd.org