Are you passionate about the power of volunteering to build community? Do you thrive while creating connection and nurturing relationships? Find joy in working alongside others to support survivors?

If you thought, “Hey, that sounds like me!,” we’re looking for someone just like you to join our team. As the Volunteer Advocate Program Manager, you will coordinate our incredible group of Volunteer Advocates, ensuring that survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault have access to the services of the YWCA Nurse Examiner Program 24/7/365. You’ll join a tight-knit team that works together to empower not only survivors, but also each other. Here, your presence matters; your voice matters; you matter.

About the Position

The YWCA West Central Michigan is seeking a Full-time Volunteer Advocate Program Manager to join our Advocacy and Resource Services team. The salary range is $20.96 -$24.08 per hour dependent on experience. This role is two-fold: as a Volunteer Program Manager, this role recruits, trains, and manages volunteer advocates for the Nurse Examiner Program (NEP) and YWCA Helpline. As a Crisis Intervention Advocate, this role provides support services for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors, and their support people, who utilize the services of the NEP in the form of advocacy for medical-forensic examinations.

About YWCA West Central Michigan

Our mission is Eliminating Racism; Empowering Women and Girls; Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom, and Dignity for All. Where racism and sexism give rise to domestic and sexual violence, we help empower survivors with expert, comprehensive services: 24-hour confidential helpline, safety planning, legal help, domestic violence emergency shelter and supportive housing, medical-forensic examinations, counseling and support groups for victims; supervised parenting time and safe custody exchange. We seek to reflect the diverse community it serves and be a welcoming, inclusive space for all. Applicants from diverse experiences, backgrounds, and identities are encouraged to apply.

About You

You enjoy creating and nurturing connections between volunteers and the agency they serve. You thrive in a collaborative environment that values compassion and empathy. You play a vital role in ensuring that the YWCA Nurse Examiner Program is able to serve survivors in our community every single hour, day and week of the year.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

(Volunteer Program Manager)

· Recruit, train and supervise Volunteers to provide direct crisis intervention to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

· Provide training of and consultation with new staff and interns regarding providing crisis advocacy and support to survivors during their medical-forensic examination.

· Manage volunteers by scheduling, providing staff support, and conducting regular meetings.

· Ensure coverage of all on-call hours by scheduling Volunteers, or by acting as on-call advocate.

· Regularly review and update Advocate training materials to ensure up-to-date information and content.

· Work with marketing and communications staff to promote the Volunteer Advocate Program and recruit Volunteer Advocates.

· Work with Senior Director of Development to solicit donations for Volunteer recognition and support.

· Provide Volunteer recognition through special events.

· Coordinate with the Nurse Examiner Program Director for ongoing staff, Volunteer, and program feedback.

(Crisis Intervention Advocate)

· Provide advocacy for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors in the NEP in the form of medical-forensic examination advocacy during the daytime business hours of the program.

· As assigned, share in providing staff back-up to Volunteer Advocates answering the YWCA Helpline evenings and weekends, approximately 10 days per month.

· Interact with personnel of local law enforcement, area hospitals, court personnel, and social or human service agencies when advocating for clients and the program.

· Attend and participate in monthly Advocacy & Resource Services (ARS) and NEP team meetings, consultation, individual and group supervision, and other staff meetings.

· Conduct community presentations providing information about services and how to access those services, as requested and assigned.

· Participate in community committees or task forces as assigned.

· Create and maintain relationships with community partners.

· Participate in outreach opportunities within the community as able.

· Support data management activities of crisis programs (Nurse Examiner and Advocacy & Resource Services), as needed.

· Report staff back-up hours to payroll on a bi-weekly basis.

· Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree preferred but will consider candidates with equivalent experience.

· Minimum of two years' work experience in a related field.

· Experience in volunteer management and community outreach highly preferred.

· Ability to network and build community support for the Volunteer program.

· Knowledge of the facts and dynamics of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking and child sexual abuse preferred.

· Knowledge of community resources and the criminal justice system preferred.

· Excellent written and oral communication skills.

· Ability to communicate with and recruit individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

· Must be able to enter and retrieve data using computer systems, systems applications, and other office equipment.

· Must be able to function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with clients, staff, and support agencies.

· Must be able to utilize active listening and crisis intervention skills when working with disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people within the facility.

· Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

· Has access to and willingness to use personal transportation for business purposes, with compensation as allowed per policy.

· Ability to be qualified as an approved driver for the YWCA.

· Comfortability with public speaking in a recruiting and training setting.

Working Conditions

· The work environment includes a blend of a traditional office setting and opportunities for independent work in the community, engaging directly with the public.

· Occasional exposure to challenging case conditions due to client’s physical and emotional state, as well as the client’s social or family environment.

· Conditions are subject to occasional exposure to agitated or threatening individuals.

· Irregular work hours may exist, including early morning, evening, weekends, and holidays.

To apply please email your resume and cover letter to Fallon Lee, Director of Crisis Intervention Services fal.lee@ywcawcmi.org. Be sure to clearly and specifically outline how your experience will help make this position successful. Accepting applications until the position is filled.