Resumes without cover letters will not be considered.

POSITION: Advocacy Services Program Manager (ASPM)

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt, (with additional, paid on-call hours)

SALARY: Starting at $52,000 and up, DOE

LOCATION: Portland, Maine (with travel throughout Cumberland & York counties.)

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ABOUT THE AGENCY

Since 1973, Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine (SARSSM), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, has provided free, confidential supportive services and programs to people impacted by sexual violence, child sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and trafficking through Advocacy, Emergency, Prevention, Education and Community Engagement.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Advocacy Services Program Manager leads the Advocacy Services Program and is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing SARSSM’s services for survivors of sexual violence, sexual harassment, and trafficking. The Advocacy Services Manager acts as lead advocate for the program, while supervising and coordinating direct services with a team of advocates, collaborating with local and regional service providers to ensure continuity of advocacy and support. This position reports directly to the Executive Director.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

Candidate Profile

SARSSM is looking for an experienced Advocacy Services Manager who is compassionate, confident, and willing to advocate for survivors of sexual violence, sexual harassment, and trafficking in an increasingly diverse mixture of urban and rural communities in Cumberland & York Counties. Our ideal candidate is an experienced professional in the field of interpersonal & sexual violence with a background in advocacy services, program management, team leadership, training, and a commitment to ending violence in all forms. Bilingual or multilingual skills are preferred but not required.

The Advocacy Services Program Manager, as part of a team of Advocates, also provides on-call coverage for SARSSM’s 24-hour helpline, providing phone support as well as in-person accompaniment for sexual assault victims. Several duties associated with this role require frequent local travel and occasional long-distance travel.

Program Management – 30%

• Ensure that the program successfully meets goals, objectives, and timelines identified by SARSSM’s Executive Director in compliance with state and grant funding objectives.
• Monitor client referrals and case assignments, ensuring balanced caseloads and consistent follow-through.
• Manage the client database, ensuring regular and accurate data input and submitting timely data reports.
• Evaluate and analyze impact of advocacy services using surveys, safety tools, and other data methods.
• Continuously monitor the program to ensure compliance with statewide quality assurance standards and address compliance concerns.
• Collaborate with community partners, including law enforcement, district attorneys, courts, prisons and jails, hospitals, social service agencies, local colleges, etc. to strengthen coordinated community response to sexual violence.
• Strengthen and coordinate the accompaniment process to court, police departments and hospitals.
• Conduct weekly 1:1 oversight meeting with direct reports as well as team meetings and arrange for clinical supervision for the advocacy team.
• Conduct formal performance evaluations of direct report employees at designated periods.

Advocacy – 30%

• Train staff on trauma-informed advocacy services such as SARSSM protocols, safety planning, and emerging best practices in the victim advocacy field.
• Provide phone based, in-person and virtual advocacy services to survivors of sexual violence, sexual harassment, and trafficking.
• Demonstrate knowledge and implement diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices.
• Ensure advocacy services are accessible, culturally responsible, and trauma informed.
• Serve as primary legal advocate and mentor staff on the criminal justice system process.
• Provide advocacy for and facilitation of trauma-informed talk and experiential support groups as needed.

Training – 20%

• Teach staff to enter client information and activities in the client database and monitor accuracy of all database entries.
• Provide advocacy training to community partners.
• Participate in advocate and volunteer training and serve as a trainer as needed.
• Work with the Executive Director and Operations Director to onboard and train new staff in client services.

Team Leadership – 15%

• Manage and lead the implementation of advocacy services provided by staff and volunteer advocates, ensure ethical and legal practices are used, and train on any changes in laws related to victim services.
• Network with state and national organizations addressing sexual violence, sexual harassment, and trafficking.
• Serve as a SARSSM representative at community partner and coalition meetings.

Other Related Duties – 5%

• Support and take part in fundraising and community awareness events.
• Serve as an ambassador for SARSSM when conducting community outreach and education.
• Participate in required staff meetings.
• Participate in continuing education and professional development opportunities related to position responsibilities.

Other responsibilities include scheduled and paid “on-call” rotation of evening and weekend shifts for after-hours crisis response and volunteer advocate support, as well as participation in the 40-hour Sexual Assault Advocate training provided by SARSSM.

REQUIREMENTS

• Professional experience working with diverse, vulnerable populations; and/or
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a human service-related field (social work, psychology, counseling, etc.) is desired. A combination of demonstrated work experience and professional development may be substituted for an advanced degree.
• Successfully complete a 40-hour sexual assault advocate training & a 10-hour support group facilitator training within specified timeframe.
• Occasional local travel, with regular on-call evening & weekend shifts as necessary in order to accomplish job responsibilities.
• Employment is conditional upon successful clearance of background screening including Child Abuse Registry, Maine Criminal and Federal Fingerprinting.

Keys to Success

Our ideal candidate for the Advocacy Services Manager position will have:

• Commitment to SARSSM’s mission
• Experience in relationship building, managing programs and teams, training, and advocacy services.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with persons in crisis from diverse populations.
• Ability to build positive relationships with clients, volunteers, staff, and community.
• Ability to think critically, make difficult decisions, attend to details, and adapt to change.
• Ability to use a computer, including web-based database platforms such as Google, Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, and Dropbox
• Access to reliable transportation
• Bilingual or multilingual skills preferred but not required.

WORK SCHEDULE:

While we strive to maintain standard business hours, several SARSSM programs and services require work outside of those hours (nights and weekends). SARSSM works to ensure that employees maintain a good work-life balance, while meeting the needs of our clients, with work schedule policies related to flex time, adjustment to start/finish times and time management.

BENEFITS:

SARSSM offers a comprehensive & generous benefits package that include but not limited to:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• 403(b) with matching option
• Generous PTO
• Additional On call pay when applicable.

SARSSM seeks to hire folks whose lived experiences and identities are reflective of the vibrant and diverse communities that we serve. We are committed to being anti-racist, inclusive and diverse. SARSSM is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified individuals, regardless of race, sex, gender identity/expression, language, religion, political affiliation, age, socio-economic status, physical appearance, and abilities. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their role.

In support of our values, SARSSM strives to ensure accurate, ethical, and equitable policies and practices. We believe in regular assessment, reflection, and the pursuit of growth, whether on the individual level or as an organization.

TO APPLY:

Please send a cover letter and resume to jenniferu@sarssm.org

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $52,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• On call
• Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Portland, ME 04103: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person