Anti-Trafficking Specialist for VOCA

THE SALVATION ARMY

NORTH & CENTRAL ILLINOIS DIVISION

CITY MISSION

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Anti-Trafficking Specialist for VOCA

LOCATION/DEPT: City Mission

PEOPLE MANAGER: No

REPORTS TO: STOP-IT Program Manager

FLSA CATEGORY: Non-Exempt

STATUS TYPE: RFT

PAY GRADE: 205

PAY RANGE: ($22.57 to $27.09)

WHO WE ARE

At The Salvation Army, we are dedicated to Doing the Most Good. We are made up of thousands of officers, soldiers, staff, volunteers, donors, and partners working together to holistically meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our most vulnerable neighbors.

CITY MISSION'S MISSION

To assist in accomplishing the mission of The Salvation Army through the coordination of all mission activities, corps and social service, within the City of Chicago.

JOB SUMMARY

The Anti-Trafficking Specialist for VOCA provides short-term, emergency case management services to survivors of Human Trafficking who are awaiting placement or transition into longer-term programs. Case management activities will result in 1) establishing a trusting and supportive relationship during a time of crisis, 2) addressing immediate safety concerns and stabilizing urgent needs such as housing, food, medical care, and legal protections, and 3) ensuring a coordinated and smooth transition into appropriate long-term services through active advocacy and resource connection. Carry out functions that result in achieving expected outcomes as identified in the STOP-IT Program Plan. Special functions may be assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Case Management Activities

1. Provide case management services as directed by the agency's program policies and procedures, focused on assisting victims in leaving human trafficking. May be required to conduct a majority of direct service or outreach-related activities off-site.
2. Implements trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and strengths-based service delivery consistent with STOP-IT program philosophy.
3. Provides short-term stabilization services focused on immediate safety, housing access, emergency financial assistance, and crisis intervention.
4. Maintains an active caseload consistent with grant expectations
5. Coordinates warm handoffs to long-term service providers and ensures continuity of care.
6. Develops transition plans to prevent service gaps.
7. With close supervision, conducts an assessment of the victim's immediate threat of harm.
8. Utilizes and implements the Motivational Interviewing model for assessing the trafficking victim's readiness for recovery or for leaving their trafficking situation, for designing interventions for planning the victims' escape strategies. The strategies utilized in this model include: 1) build trust, 2) strengthen victim-identity, 3) teach informed decision-making skills, 4) create hope of escape, 5) problem-solve barriers to leaving, 6) assist the victim to plan effective escape strategies when he or she are safe and fully prepared to do so, and 7) assist in the escape.
9. Consults with supervisor in reviewing and assessing the current stages of outreach cases.
10. Develops and implements appropriate intervention strategies that recognize the current stage, and supports the victim's movement to the next stage toward exiting trafficking. Regularly reviews client's progress with the supervisor.
11. Identifies community resources and assists in developing linkages with providers and law enforcement that support the implementation of the STOP-IT program and the client outcomes.
12. Maintains frequent case-related contacts with local resources, collateral sources, public and private agencies and organizations, and law enforcement, to advocate on behalf of clients. Refers clients for services, as needed.
13. Obtains appropriate Release of Information before a referral is made.
14. Under the supervisor's direction, processes requests for financial assistance to clients within agency policy.
15. In consultation with the Supervisor, initiates contact with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services as a mandated reporter when child abuse or neglect is suspected.
16. In Consultation with the Supervisor, initiates contact with the Elder Abuse Hotline as a mandated reporter when elder abuse is suspected.
17. Keeps supervisor informed regarding case related subpoenas and attends court when appropriate.
18. Keeps supervisor informed of clients in crisis who may be at-risk, and any situation or incident that may require immediate attention, to prevent harm to anyone by following the agency emergency plan in the Policy and Procedures Manual. In a timely fashion, records such contacts, situations or incidents in special progress notes.
19. Maintains STOP-IT hotline as assigned and shared with other outreach workers.
20. Completes case and statistical recordings, and other required reports and record-keeping for assigned clients per manual on "Office Policies and Procedures."
21. Tracks service units, client demographics, and outcome measures for ICJIA reporting.
22. Engages in bi-weekly (additional as needed) professional supervision with designated supervisor.
23. Maintains awareness of applicable liability issues and other applicable legal issues, and their potential to affect agency and/or clients.
24. Abides by the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, including NASW standards for cultural competence in social work practice, and the WHO Ten Guiding Principles.

Intra-Agency Responsibilities

1. Study and adhere to agency policies, procedures, and program guidelines.
2. Collaborate with other Salvation Army programs and staff to ensure coordinated, client-centered service delivery.
3. Understand and effectively work within the Mission of The Salvation Army.
4. Attend agency staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
5. Assist with general office functions as needed to maintain smooth program operations.

Community Relations

1. Participate in community meetings and multidisciplinary team collaborations related to victim services.
2. Assist with outreach efforts to increase awareness of victim services within the community.
3. Provide educational presentations to community partners regarding available services and victim rights when delegated by supervisor.

Continuing Education

1. Participate in professional seminars, conferences, and workshops to maintain competency in trauma-informed care, victim advocacy, and legal updates.
2. Remain current on VOCA regulations and Illinois victim rights legislation.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Education: A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university. The BSW is preferred, but a major in a related field is acceptable.

Experience:

• Minimum of 1 year experience in case management is preferred, bi-lingual is a plus.
• Valid Driver's license/MVR clearance with insured automobile preferred.

Skills/Abilities:

• A flexible style that also displays a willingness to learn.
• An excellent attention to detail, procedures, processes and policies.
• Ability to maintain and project a problem solving approach in case situations with clients and inter/intra agency personnel.
• A developing knowledge of the principles of social work, counseling, and case management.
• An understanding of data management, procedure development and flow of information.

JOB LIMITATIONS

• This individual will only commit Army resources that have been allocated or approved.
• This individual will keep the Program Manager informed on all critical issues relating to his/her area of responsibility.
• This individual will adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position is required to do light physical work.
• In order to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to use standard office equipment and PC.
• The work environment for this position includes a client service environment with a moderate to loud noise level.
• Willingness to perform off-site activities which could include home visits, work within schools or within community agencies.
• This position may be required to drive a motor vehicle, read road maps, and understand directions.
• Maintain positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with co-workers and supervisors. This would include but not be limited to such actions: resolution of conflicts in a positive manner; courteous treatment of staff, clients and visitors; respect of others' property and person, professional and appropriate communication to and about co-workers, supervisors and subordinates. Support the Mission of The Salvation Army by treating every donor, contact and colleague with respect and dignity, and without discrimination of any kind.

COMPETENCIES

• Support the Mission of The Salvation Army by treating every donor, contact and colleague with respect and dignity, and without discrimination of any kind.
• An interpersonal style that is service oriented as well as anticipates and responds to the needs of clients.
• A communication style that exhibits the principles and values of The Salvation Army, communicates information appropriately, as well as fostering team relationships.
• A developing knowledge of how to effectively work with diversity in the workplace.
• Must be sensitive to and work appropriately with culturally and socio-economically diverse client populations.
• An ability to work with confidential material.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

• This individual will be evaluated on how effectively the outcomes of this position are achieved as well as the timeliness, accuracy and completeness of accomplishing assigned goals.
• Identifies potential trafficking victims as evidenced by law enforcement or referral records.
• Refers for services any and all clients in need of services as evidenced by law enforcement or referral records.
• Will increase the number of identified, rescued and referred victims at least by 5% each quarter of the project, as evidenced by law enforcement records or referral records.
• Has contact with potential and actual trafficking victims each week as evidenced by case progress sheet and supervisor review.
• Will spend 20 or more hours per week engaging potential trafficking victims. Will maintain case progress sheets time logs to document time spent with each victim.
• Conduct trafficking training with key community personnel each month as evidenced by attendee sign-in sheets.
• Conducts public awareness activities in key locations each month as evidenced by documentation.
• Worker will be trained in CISM treatment and will be available to provide critical incident services on an as-needed basis.

A 30, 60, and 90-day performance review will be conducted.