Employment Opportunity: Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Victim Advocate

Duties

Under the supervision of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Site Coordinator

• Provide legal advocacy, crisis intervention, and support services to clients engaged with the criminal justice system and those who chose the restricted reporting option (65%)
• Build relationships with the criminal justice system and other allied professionals within Duluth and Southern Saint Louis County (15%)
• Provide community education and outreach to a variety of community agencies, schools, and groups (10%)
• Perform other related duties as assigned (10%)

Essential Functions

Legal Advocacy, Crisis Intervention, and Support Services: 

• Provide legal advocacy services to clients with particular emphasis on those who have reported to law enforcement and/or those who chose the restricted reporting option
• Accompany victim-survivors to interviews with law enforcement and prosecution and to any scheduled court hearings and appearances
• Assist the Site Coordinator with tracking and maintaining victim-survivor engagement and statistical data for the project
• Refer clients to appropriate internal or external professionals as necessary
• Ensure that cultural needs and beliefs are considered when providing advocacy
• Serve as a point of contact for on-call advocates and local hospitals during evening and weekend hours, on a rotating basis
• Support victim-survivors during their sexual assault exam in local emergency departments.

Relationship-building with professionals in the criminal justice system and other allied professions:

• Participate on the SAKI Multidisciplinary Team and its subcommittees
• Participate on the Southern Saint Louis County Sexual Assault Multidisciplinary Action Response Team (SMART)

Community Education and Outreach:

• Provide community education/awareness sessions to agencies, schools, and community groups

Other related work duties:

• Serve as a representative of PAVSA at community and professional meetings as needed
• Participate in PAVSA’s Volunteer Advocacy training as needed 
• Participate in annual fundraising events
• Flexibility for the potential to work some evening and weekend hours

Special Requirements

• Must be able to sit in a stationary position or stand for prolonged periods of time (75%)
• Position is based out of the Duluth Police Department (Public Safety Building) and must be able to travel through Southern Saint Louis County to meet with clients
• Must have access to reliable transportation
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine, and computer printer.
• Must be able to complete a 40-hour training on sexual assault or have completed it within the last 5 years

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of experience working directly with individuals in an advocacy, non-profit, and/or social services setting
• Experience working with people who have experienced trauma and/or in a crisis environment
• Good listening skills
• Effective communicator
• Ability to work individually and as part of a team
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving 
• Ability to prioritize time

Compensation

• $21.50/hour, 40 hours per week; health insurance offered and vacation benefits included

To Apply:

Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter discussing their interest in and qualifications for position to the email or address below by Tuesday, December 14, 2021.

PAVSA
Attn: Sara Niemi
32 E 1st St #200
Duluth, MN 55802

pavsa@pavsa.org

Sexual violence impacts many people – disclosing personal experiences is not expected and does not impact your application status or process. PAVSA  is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We encourage applications from BIPOC, people of all genders, veterans, and people with disabilities. We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Anishinabeg. 

Employment Opportunity: Project Attorney

PAVSA has a unique opportunity for a motivated and resourceful attorney.  We are seeking a Project Attorney to provide direct representation to victim/survivors of sexual violence in Southern St Louis County.  PAVSA is accepting applications until the position is filled.

PAVSA, The Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault, has been Southern St Louis County’s sole rape crisis advocacy agency since 1975. Services available include helpline advocacy 24/7,  medical advocacy, legal advocacy, forensic exams from trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, therapy, support groups, and supportive advocacy & referrals.  Crisis services are provided to primary and secondary adult & minor victim/survivors ages 12 and up who have experienced any form of sexual violence across their lifespan.

Responsibilities:

The attorney will represent victim/survivors of sexual violence in Southern St Louis County.  Responsibilities include but are not limited to: providing direct representation to sexual violence victim/survivors in civil cases, preparation of litigation materials, conducting legal research, and working collaboratively with advocates at PAVSA.

Qualifications:

• Licensed attorney in the State of Minnesota or the ability to be admitted to the Minnesota Bar within 6 months (required)
• 2 years experience providing advocacy to sexual violence victim/survivors (preferred)
• 2 years experience advocating for underrepresented communities (i.e. communities of color, gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender people, migrant workers, immigrants and refugees, women used in prostitution, vulnerable adults, differently abled, etc.) (preferred)
• 1 year of experience in program or project development and implementation (preferred)
• Demonstrated writing abilities
• Computer skills
• Willingness to learn new skills and accomplish new tasks

Other relevant position information:

• Must be able to work closely with sexual violence advocates
• Knowledge of other language(s) is a plus
• Knowledge of intersectionality and BIPOC history/historical trauma a plus
• Partial remote status may be considered
• We encourage applications from BIPOC, people of all genders, veterans, and people with disabilities

Compensation:

This is a full-time position with a salary of $65,000 including health insurance and vacation benefits.

To Apply:

This position will be open until filled. Interested applicants should send a cover letter discussing their interest in and qualifications for position and their resume to:

PAVSA
Attn: Sara Niemi
32 E 1st St #200
Duluth, MN 55802

pavsa@pavsa.org

Sexual violence impacts many people – disclosing personal experiences is not expected and does not impact your application status or process. PAVSA  is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We encourage applications from BIPOC, people of all genders, veterans, and people with disabilities. We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Anishinabeg. 

Employment Opportunity: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Position

Participating Hospitals:

• Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center – Duluth, MN;
• St. Luke’s Hospital – Duluth, MN;
• Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital of Superior – Superior, WI;
• Lake View Hospital – Two Harbors, MN;

Desired Qualifications:
1 year experience as an RN and/or SANE.
Preference to RN working 0.7 or less FTE at primary job.

Certification:
Registered Nurse with current Minnesota & Wisconsin licenses and professional liability insurance.

Required Training:
Completed 40+ Hour Adolescent/Adult IAFN approved Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) didactic training.

Skills:

• Trauma informed approach to patient care
• Perform pelvic and anogenital exams (orientation includes shadowing a Gyn provider after hire)

Additional Skills / Abilities:

• Self-driven
• Strong clinical skills
• Strong interdisciplinary collaboration skills
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills
• Sensitivity in working with victims of sexual assault

Supervision:

• Supervision team of SANE Program Coordinator, PAVSA Executive Director, SANE Medical Director, and SANE Program Nurse Manager.
• Medical Director and SANE Program Nurse Manager for clinical consultation and peer review.
• Daily supervision and administration of program by the SANE Program Coordinator.

Compensation:

• $400/exam
• $75 Stipend for mandatory monthly 2.5 hour team meetings
• $30/hour for mandatory skills training and hospital orientation
• $7.00/hour on-call pay

Benefits:

• IAFN Membership, MN Chapter & WI Chapter memberships
• Reimbursement for WI licensure and liability insurance after 6 months employment if an average of 72 hours of monthly on-call is maintained
• Education funds as approved by SANE Program Coordinator after 6 months employment if an average of 72 hours of monthly on-call is maintained
• Generous Employee Assistance Plan for staff and their family
• No medical, dental, life, or retirement benefits

Hours:

• 72 hours per month on-call; each SANE provides their availability prior to being scheduled
• Requirement of one holiday shift per year. All extended unavailability (more than 5 days in a row) must be submitted to the SANE Program Coordinator in advance.

On-Call Expectations:

• Immediate phone response to PAVSA office, staff or answering service when a call comes in
• 45 minute response time to hospital
• Carry a cell phone when on-call

How to Apply:
Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume to pavsa@pavsa.org

Join Our Board of Directors

PAVSA is dedicated to the elimination of sexual violence in southern St. Louis County through supporting victims, educating the community, and advocating for change. Our core values include confidentiality, inclusivity, resiliency, and community-mindedness. We are committed to providing support services for victim-survivors of sexual violence and their support people, educating and building awareness in the community, and advocating for social change in the many systems that interact with victim-survivors following sexual violence. We are seeking community members who are committed to our mission and values to serve on our Board of Directors. The Board needs a diverse set of skills and backgrounds to ensure broad, relevant, diverse ideas and representation. Prior board experience is a plus but not required. This is a volunteer opportunity and no compensation will be paid. 

Primary Duties

• Responsible for the purpose, programs and public accountability of the nonprofit organization
• Engage in a biannual strategic planning session
• Monitor management
• Represent the organization to the community and enhance the public image
• Attend monthly board meetings, read background information and reports provided prior to Board meetings
• Board meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month from 5:30-7:00pm
• Membership on one committee of the Board, either Internal or External committee

If you have questions about joining the Board of Directors, please contact Sara Niemi, Executive Director, at 218-726-1442 or sniemi@pavsa.org. Board Application is available here. Questions can be emailed to Sara at sniemi@pavsa.org.

Volunteer Opportunities at PAVSA

PAVSA’s volunteers are critical to supporting victim-survivors in our community. Our dedicated volunteers assist with facilitating our helpline and provide advocacy in the hospital setting, both services are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Volunteers help to cover our overnight and weekend hours. We ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of one shift a month for a year. 

Volunteering with PAVSA is a great way to support survivors in our community, cultivate your crisis intervention and de-escalation skills, and build knowledge of community resources. All volunteers must complete a state-mandated 40-hour Sexual Assault Advocacy Training. PAVSA provides the training at no cost to you and the training will equip you with the skills to be a great advocate!

Volunteers are required to have a phone to take calls and transportation to get to and from the hospital. 

If you have questions about volunteering or want to know the next training dates, please contact Erin at enaughton@pavsa.org. Volunteer Application can be found here and returned to Erin at enaughton@pavsa.org

Internship Opportunities at PAVSA

PAVSA offers excellent internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Interns can be involved in many of our programs based on their interests and availability. These opportunities include, but are not limited to: crisis line and hospital advocacy, support groups, outreach groups, community education, legal advocacy, youth advocacy, and organizing events and awareness campaigns. All interns are required to complete our state-mandated 40-hour Sexual Assault Advocacy Training.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong commitment to victim/survivors and the cause of PAVSA
• Proactive attitude in finding work when unassigned and volunteering for duties when opportunities are provided
• Experience and/or skill working in an administrative position
• Experience and/or skill working with crisis situations
• Flexibility in scheduling and attitude.

Before applying please consider:

• Much of our work is crisis and/or needs based and available 24/7. Needs regarding coverage may be last minute, will require quick action, and will be on evenings/weekends.
• Because of the nature of our work, some interns may find themselves triggered by the things we encounter. It is important for interns to consider their tolerance of such topics before accepting a position.
• Sexual trauma history is not considered in acceptance of interns.
• If you have any concerns about your ability to fulfill any of the above duties it is recommended that you discuss the matter with your school internship supervisors prior to agreeing to the internship.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume to Vanessa at vlebens@pavsa.org. In the cover letter, please answer the following questions:

• What are the requirements for your internship? (ex: hours, timeline)
• What would you bring to an internship at PAVSA?
• What would you hope to learn at PAVSA?

Keep in mind that we have limited spots available, so get your resume and cover letter to us prior to the deadline!