Meaningful work * service oriented and respectful work environment * work-life balance * up to 2 days of telework after 90 days of employment for non supervisors - 1 day of telework for supervisors * generous leave * more holidays than the federal government, including Christmas week off * free parking as well as free transportation to/from Ballston metro * paid lunch breaks * professional development tuition assistance * tuition assistance for your children enrolled in our diocesan schools after 1 year of employment * generous benefits, including a pension plan * AND MORE...
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Office of Victim Assistance assists the Diocese of Arlington with the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
The Program Assistant is responsible for providing program and administrative support to the Office of Victim Assistance, as well as for other programs and initiatives to which the Director of Victim Assistance is assigned.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES:
- Answers Office of Victim Assistance helpline and email address for victims/survivors of child and adult sexual abuse and their families; performs preliminary screening of callers; provides basic emotional support and educational materials; answers general inquiries; offers referrals for spiritual, psychological, and other support as needed.
- Takes calls forwarded by other offices, screens calls, and ensures callers are directed to the proper department or resource needed.
- Documents calls for follow-up by Victim Assistance Coordinator (VAC). Provides case notes to VAC and Bishop’s senior staff in a timely fashion. Creates and updates paper and electronic records of case notes. Follows up on report to ensure ongoing support is provided to victim-survivor and that records are updated.
- May personally serve as language interpreter or coordinate the interpretation for victims/survivors.
- Serves as primary contact for victim-survivors as needed, for example Spanish-speakers.
- Plans, schedules, and coordinates the Healing Mass, annual retreat, virtual and in-person support groups for victims/survivors, as well as training workshops and other office sponsored events. Provides on-site coordination and support during events. Coordinates catering and other supplies needed for events. Mails thank you letters and stipends to speakers and event hosts.
- Maintains a database of names and addresses of victims and survivors so that they may be invited to the support group meetings, retreats and other events hosted by the VAC Office, the Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, or otherwise provided by the diocese. Maintains ongoing communication with victim-survivors.
- Creates and places advertising for events and makes public announcements through local newspapers, Arlington Catholic Herald, and the diocesan website. Places public announcements that encourage victims/survivors to come forward to report abuse.
- Creates and updates VAC Healing Mass Flyer, program brochures, and reporting forms. Manages annual mass mailings of program information to parish pastors, diocesan entities, and non-diocesan Catholic entities.
- Maintains the Office of Victim Assistance website, calendar events, and online bulletin submissions.
- Assists the Office of Child Protection with the Annual Report.
- Assists with development and maintenance of a list of therapists and a list of priests, sisters, and laypersons with experience in abuse ministry, in all regions of the diocese, so that prompt referrals may be made for those in need of counseling and spiritual assistance.
- Assists with the budgeting and financials for the Office of Victim Assistance. This includes preparation and submission of vouchers for payment of expenses for the program and for assistance provided to victims/survivors.
- Organizes and updates victim-survivor files (hardcopy and electronic). Maintains records of paper victim-survivor files that are requested by other diocesan personnel or outside agencies.
- Maintains records and documents related to every program event throughout the year, including yearly program statistics and documentation needed for the annual Audit.
- Responsible for creating victim-survivor mailings and reminders (hardcopy and electronic).
- Maintains ongoing communication with therapists, spiritual directors, and victim-survivors to ensure invoices for services are paid on time. Creates and mails Therapist Progress Report requests.
- Assists with the annual USCCB child protection audit and the compilation of the required information and presentation to the Auditors.
- Assists with compilation of required information for the annual CARA survey and maintains records for reference.
- Performs all administrative duties for the Office of Victim Assistance including filing, mass mailings, updating of victim/survivor files, and ordering of supplies.
- Organizes special events, meetings, trainings, and other projects as needed.
- Assists in developing and implementing future program components to continually ensure the needs of victims/survivors and their support persons are met.
- Participates in ongoing formation and trainings for those working with victim-survivors and their loved ones. Keeps up with current media coverage, literature, and research on sexual abuse and sexual abuse in the in the Church. Compiles and shares information and resources that may be of interest to victims-survivors.
- Provides clerical, data-entry, and other administrative support to the Office of Child Protection as needed, including fulfilling tickets, entering VIRTUS trainings, and giving individuals credit for VIRTUS trainings. Refers calls and other correspondence to Child Protection Office when needed.
•
- Assists Director by providing administrative support (e.g., meeting minutes, scheduling, event planning and execution support) for the Mental Health Council and related strategic plan initiatives.
•
- Provides support to Director for interviews with persons in his consulting work with the Tribunal and Spiritual Assistance Ministry, particularly when language translation is prudent.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY:
- Supervision Received
- From Director of Victim Assistance. Exercises no discretion or independent judgment with respect to matters of significance
- Physical Demands/Working Environment
- While performing the duties of this job, required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weight of 10 – 50 pounds
- Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand, and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard, operate equipment and read
- Frequently required to sit, hear, talk, and use repetitive motion of the hands/wrists
- Occasional evening and weekend work is required
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge/Skills: Basic knowledge of the Catholic Church, its beliefs, and teachings is essential. Must have an understanding of trauma and its effects. Must be able to show empathy, compassion, and patience, and maintain confidentiality; must be able to respond to crisis calls and highly sensitive information; strong planning and organizational skills with a keen attention to detail required; must have excellent interpersonal, communications, and public relations skills; basic proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) and strong data-entry skills required; must be able to work independently and without regular supervision, and take initiative in problem-solving; Spanish language preferred.
- Education Required: BA or BS required, preferably in the social sciences or humanities.
- Years and Types of Experience: 1-2 years of experience working with emotional, sensitive, and/or confidential situations; minimum of 1-year administrative experience.
We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in working for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.