Employment Opportunity: Mental Health Therapist
Duties: Under the Supervision of the Executive Director

• Provide short and long-term crisis counseling and professional therapy to victims of sexual assault (70%)
• Participate in case consultation of PAVSA clients with advocacy staff (10%)
• Plan for and assist in implementation of support groups (15%)
• Perform other related duties as required (5%)

Essential Functions:

Short and long-term professional counseling to victims of sexual assault and/or secondary survivors 

• Provide individual counseling for victim/survivors of sexual assault and document appointments in electronic database
• Maintain scheduling and calendar of client appointments
• Meet with victim/survivors who call for counseling to assess appropriate counseling needs
• Provide crisis counseling or referrals to victims.
• Maintain appropriate professional supervision with a licensed counselor if applicable

Counseling case consultation with PAVSA staff

• Meet with other PAVSA therapist to review counseling cases
• Assist in determining appropriate community referrals for clients
• Provide case consultation with staff who are working with clients as crisis and support advocates
• Assist in determining training needs for staff on mental health issues
• Assist with volunteer advocacy training on mental health related topics

Plan for and assist in implementation of support groups

• Provide overall group coordination including scheduling, assignment of facilitators and monitoring group progress
• Facilitate groups, as needed
• Assist with support group facilitation training with other PAVSA staff
• Provide community education on support services for victims of sexual assault
• Assist in grant reporting and gathering feedback
• Provide case consultation on support group issues
• Assist with revision of support group curricula as needed
• Ensure evaluations of groups are conducted

Other related duties

• Participate in weekly staff meetings
• Attend and participate in agency community awareness and fundraising events
• Communicate and cooperate with other professionals and agencies in the community who may work with victims of sexual violence
• Serve as the representative of PAVSA at community and professional meetings as needed
• Serve as a point of contact for on-call advocates and local hospitals during evening and weekend hours, on a rotating basis
• Provide monthly staff report for Board of Directors
• Other duties as assigned

Special Requirements

• Must be able to sit in a stationary position or stand for prolonged periods of time (75%)
• Position is based out of an office in downtown Duluth but must have the ability to travel within the Duluth area to meet with clients if necessary
• 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 that runs either during the day in mid-September or in the evening from October-November.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Counseling or related degree
• Professional licensure as counselor/therapist or ability to become licensed with supervision
• Experience with sexual assault, domestic violence, or work with trauma victims
• Experience working with culturally diverse and at-risk populations
• Sexual assault training required
  • 40-hour training through PAVSA will be available to meet this requirement

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Compensation:

• Position is 32-40 hours per week
• $23.00-$25.00/hour
• Clinical Supervision, continuing education credits and licensing fees paid for
• Paid parking
• Position includes: paid holidays, personal days, sick time and vacation time.
• This position is eligible for benefits. Medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance offered. Retirement plan with employer contribution.

How to Apply

This position will be open until filled, the first round of applications will be reviewed by August 23.  Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter discussing their interest in and qualifications for the position to the email or address below:

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
• $7.50/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 us. A brief application can be found here.

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!