Support Worker – Specialized Victim Assistance Program – 2024-67-01

JOB POSTING 2024-67-01

• INTERNAL/EXTERNAL
• Specialized Victim Assistance Program (SVAP)
• Support Worker
• Wage: $31.00 to $33.00 per hour
• Full Time, 35 hours per week
• Temporary until March 31, 2025, possibility of extension
• Location: Abbotsford

  Provide Support to Victims of Violence and Abuse
  Join the team at Archway
  Come Help Us Help People

Job Summary

The SVAP Support Worker provides information and support to victims of Intimate Partner violence, child, youth, and adult sexual abuse survivors.   The SVAP Support Worker provides emotional support, crisis intervention, safety planning, court updates, witness orientation and accompaniment to court and crown appointments.  This support worker position will require the candidate to work with both the Specialized Victim Assistance Program and the Abbotsford Intimate Partner Violence Unit team.

Your Role:

Archway’s SVAP Support Worker with the Specialized Victim Assistance Program (SVAP) contributes by:

• Providing a variety of support and services to clients including justice related information, practical assistance, investigation status, roles of criminal justice system representatives, levels of court/court procedures, updates on court case progress, court orders/probation/post-sentencing, and dynamics of abuse.
• Conducting client assessments and making appropriate service plans, outlining services and resources provided by Archway, and/or providing linkages with other community agencies.
• Through client intake assessment, determining the need for independent legal advice referral.
• Providing information to victims about their rights under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and other legislation.
• Acting as an advocate for clients in the Criminal Justice System in providing support and preparing clients for the criminal court process.
• Managing new and existing clients involved in the program, providing support and, as appropriate, providing follow-up support upon leaving the program.
• Accompanying the clients to various justice related appointments including pre-trial interviews with Crown Counsel as well as court accompaniment as needed.
• Liaising with police, judiciary, corrections, and other community resources on behalf of clients.

This position is a great fit for someone who has a well-developed personal maturity, sound judgement, self-motivation, and is results oriented.   

Our Offer

• Wage: $31.00 to $33.00 per hour. 
• A temporary, full-time position at 35 hours per week.
• Benefits include:
  • Three weeks’ vacation in your first year, four weeks’ in your second year.
  • A great benefits package including extended health and dental, you choose your plan.
  • Employee and Family Assistance Program that includes online access to wellness resources.
• Great in-house training opportunities.
• Rewarding work in helping victims in need of support and services.

Getting an Interview–you will be considered if you have:

• A Bachelor of Criminal Justice or an equivalent related Social Sciences degree, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience working with victims of intimate partner violence and survivors of sexual violence.
• Experience in direct program delivery.
• Experience working in the social services sector.

The Job Requires you to have::

• A valid BC Driver’s License, clean drivers abstract, and use of a reliable vehicle.
• Knowledge of community resources for women and children experiencing violence.
• Strong written, verbal, and active listening skills; able to communicate effectively and respectfully with people from a variety of backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a cohesive team, with limited supervision.
• Strong computer skills; able to use Office 365 and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to prepare and present information/presentations to community agencies including high schools as deemed appropriate/needed.
• Ability to work within and adapt to the Archway Client Tracking System.
• Strong ability to self-initiate tasks, set priorities, organize, and remain flexible.
• Exceptional time management skills.
• Effective facilitation skills; able to present information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to assist clients in completing forms such as, Crime Victims Assistance Applications, Victim Impact Statements.
• Ability to work with stakeholders/partners and other community agencies in a collaborative, cooperative, professional, and respectful manner.
• Ability to work in a stressful environment often working with clients in crisis and/or managing emergency situations.
• Ability to manage frequent Interruptions and a well-developed ability to switch tasks.
• Adherence to health and safety protocols, as this position has a high-level of social interaction and engagement.
• Ability to always maintain professionalism and confidentiality within the agency guidelines and Abbotsford Police Department.
• A satisfactory criminal record check is a condition of employment. This position may also require the candidate to pass all security requirements by the Abbotsford Police Department.