Youth Advocacy Initiative Coordinator

Description

ABOUT US

Resolving to make the world better for children is at the heart of Safe Shores -The DC Children’s Advocacy Center’s mission to provide survivor-centered intervention, hope, and healing for children and families affected by abuse, trauma, and violence in the District of Columbia. Our efforts are focused on working to prevent and end child abuse and neglect through promising practices, policies, and partnerships.

Working side-by-side with a passion-driven multidisciplinary team, we aim to:

• Minimize the trauma experienced by children and adolescents who have been identified as victims of sexual or physical abuse.
• Improve the investigation and prosecution of sexual and physical abuse cases from the point of intervention through to treatment and healing.
• Promote inter-agency collaboration for effective decision-making and management of sexual and physical abuse cases.
• Prevent further or future abuse of child victims.
• Provide training professionals in the field of investigation, prosecution, and provision of services for sexually and physically abused children, adolescents, and their non-offending caretakers.

THE JOB AND YOUR ROLE   

The Youth Advocacy Initiative Coordinator is an on-site role which provides administrative support and coordination of services within the Youth Advocacy Initiative (YAI). This role works to ensure the smooth daily operation of YAI services. This position is responsible for administration and operations tasks and support for Youth Advocacy services. This position may assist with other programmatic tasks as needed and directed, ensuring seamless provision of services. This position is fully trained in the SAVRAA law and required client service provision, and is part of a team that is available 24/7 and requires participation in an on-call response rotation for after-hours, holidays, and weekends. This position is a mandated reporter for child abuse and neglect under District of Columbia Statute §4-1321.02 when not acting within the defined role that provides an exemption to this mandate. 

Safe Shores expects all employees to respect and be sensitive to human dignity and identity. We demonstrate this respect and sensitivity without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability (actual or perceived), source of income, place of residence or business, military service, and any other basis protected by federal or District of Columbia law.

WHAT WE OFFER

Total Compensation: We prioritize your overall health and well-being

A salary is only part of a larger picture of compensation and rewards. The starting salary is $63,630 annually. We take total compensation seriously. We proudly provide one of the most robust benefits packages in the non-profit sector, including employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for our employees, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Our work is complex, and in this field, we firmly believe that we must care for ourselves to be present for our circle and those we serve. Please take a moment to read the complete list of employee benefits we offer:

• Birthday Comp Day (Your birthday is a holiday for you!)
• Your Own Annual Professional Development Fund
• 13 days of paid vacation leave
• 13 days of paid sick leave
• 13 days of paid holidays
• Paid personal leave
• Paid parental leave
• 100% employer-paid medical (PPO with lots of provider options), dental, and vision insurance for the current 2025-26 plan year
• Dedicated Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee appreciation and wellness events
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan (Employer contribution after 1 year of service)

Other benefits as applicable are as follows:

• Safe Shores offers paid sabbatical leave for employees with a tenure of five consecutive years.

WHAT YOU OFFER

You are passionate about Safe Shores’ mission, vision, and values, committed to doing what’s best and suitable for those we serve, and driven to become an outstanding asset to our community of colleagues. You have strong listening and communication skills, both oral and written, and must be able to adapt to various audiences fluidly. You have the heart of an advocate and are passionate about Safe Shores' mission. Most importantly, you have a high level of cultural competence and believe and thrive in a workplace culture committed to countering all forms of prejudice and discrimination.

Reasonable accommodation may be available to enable persons with disabilities to perform essential job duties. The essential duties and responsibilities are a summary, not an all-inclusive list of all necessary job duties.

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Program Coordination and Administration

• Maintain and ensure quality and confidentiality of electronic records/documentation, statistical tracking, and inventory.
• Track participant attendance and program outcomes, assist with grant reporting, and support with managing YAI program budgets.
• Support in writing, reviewing, editing and updating desk manuals, SOPs, and internal and external training guides. 
• Purchase, inventory, and stock supplies as needed to ensure all primary locations for service delivery have the supplies necessary for program service delivery. 
• Maintain, fold, organize, and restock the youth clothing closet; manage inventory counts and purchase missing items/sizes to ensure consistent availability within budgetary guidelines.
• Purchase, track, distribute, and audit EVCF (Emergency Victim of Crime Funds) and gift cards for emergency client assistance while keeping detailed logs for budgetary compliance.[MC1] 
• Ensure daily program coverage and communicate and coordinate coverage needs amongst program staff.
• Assist with the facilitation of follow-up surveys, as needed.
• Maintain, update, and submit program expenditures in a timely and consistent manner, track programmatic budgetary expenses and monitor budgetary changes and grant adjustments as needed.
• Provide administrative support for maintenance of on-call rotation schedule, communications, and phone routing system.
• Serve as a point of contact for the department in the absence of the YAI Manager and ensure youth advocacy services continue uninterrupted. 
• Assign incoming youth advocacy cases as needed. 
• Support onboarding and peer guidance for new advocates as needed.
• Drafting and reviewing narrative reports for OVSJG and other government funding sources.
• Prepare program data reports on quarterly basis, or as needed.
• Work with Program Evaluation Specialist to ensure YAI program data collection is in accordance with established protocols and processes. 
• Participate in regular individual supervision, staff meetings, in service training and other meetings.

Direct Client Support and On-Call Advocacy

• Provide crisis intervention and advocacy support to 13–17-year-old teens (and family as desired) during the initial medical and/or law enforcement response to sexual assault during on-call shifts. 
• Provide information to teenagers about available support and service resources, victims’ rights, and the multidisciplinary team (MDT) investigation process, during on-call shifts.
• Coordinate as appropriate with other involved service providers or government agencies, in accordance with the Sexual Assault Victims’ Rights Amendment Act of 2019.
• Provide accompaniment to teens and/or their families as needed for purposes related to victimization, including hospital visits and law enforcement interviews, during on-call shifts.

Community Engagement and Training

• Collaborate with the YAI Manager to develop and update presentations, workshops, and educational materials.
• Represent the YAI department at community outreach events, networking engagements, and coalition meetings. 
• Support the planning and implementation of youth-focused events and initiatives.
• Strengthen relationships with community providers to ensure responsive and culturally relevant services for youth.
• Participate in organizational committees, strategic planning, or task forces related to advocacy, outreach, or youth services.
• Identifies, coordinates and attends YAI outreach events. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

There are no supervisory responsibilities for this position.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in human services related field, such as Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related disciplines.
• Experience in program or project management, administrative or clerical responsibilities, budget oversight, inventory management and/or event planning.
• Advanced proficiency using data systems to track client and program metrics, alongside experience building workflows to streamline procedures. 
• Knowledge of Microsoft environment and SharePoint utilization.
• Knowledge in technical writing and competency reviewing operational documentation.
• Strong public speaking skills and the ability to tailor messaging across platforms, including proven ability to run engaging workshops and training sessions with confidence.
• Willingness to establish and maintain positive working relationships while collaborating with a wide range of professionals including law enforcement, social services, medical and mental health providers.
• Knowledge of local victim services community resources and programs. 
• Ability to successfully pass Child Protection Registry clearance and criminal background checks.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• At least one (1) years of professional experience with youth and families as well as knowledge and understanding working with children, youth and families who have experienced abuse and trauma.
• At least one (1) year of direct client engagement or case management experience.
• Experience working in a Children’s Advocacy Center.

COMPUTER/TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

Must be PC proficient and able to thrive in a fast-paced setting. Must have strong experience with computer technology and equipment and Microsoft Office 365, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.