Victims Assistance Coordinator
Diocese of Oakland - Oakland
Admin & Clerical
Part-Time
Title: Victims Assistance Coordinator
Division: Chancellor’s Office
Reports to: Chancellor
Hours per week: Part-time, 15-20 hours per week, flexible schedule with remote work possible
Classification: E-5
Description Overview
The Victims Assistance Coordinator (VAC) is the point of contact in the Diocese for victims of clergy sexual abuse. The VAC’s mission is to coordinate therapeutic care and services for victims in their healing journey and strives to promote reconciliation between the victim and the Church. The VAC serves in coordination with the Bishop to reach out to those suffering from the effects of clergy sexual abuse.
Primary Functions
• Be available to persons reporting clergy sexual abuse. Monitor on a daily basis the Diocese clergy abuse hotline, VAC office line, and email. Return calls from victims within 24 hours.
• Communicate with victims and prepare a written intake report for the Chancellor and Bishop.
• Present each new matter to the Diocesan Minor Review Board or Diocesan Adult Review Board and advocate on behalf of the victim.
• Make verbal, written reports to satisfy mandated reporting laws.
• Coordinate therapy for the victim and act as the case manager between victim and therapist.
• Work closely with the Bishop, Chancellor, and the Diocesan Minor and Adult Review Boards.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Support the Bishop in his pastoral responsibilities for outreach to victims of clergy sexual abuse
• Implement and comply with the USCCB Dallas Charter (and its updates) for the Protection of Children and Young People.
• Implement and comply with the Diocesan policies for the handling of individuals presenting claims of sexual abuse.
• Attend meetings of the Diocesan Minor Review Board and Diocesan Adult Review Board.
• Present information, make recommendations regarding victim’s allegations, and needs
• Receive and follow through with Board recommendations, in collaboration with Chancellor
• Respond pastorally and immediately (within 24 hours) to all individuals coming forward with allegations of clergy sexual abuse originating from the Oakland Diocese.
• Work with victims of clergy sexual abuse to coordinate counseling services and pastoral care.
• Participate in the work of the Outreach Ministry (e.g., Healing Garden events, multi- diocese outreach, public relations, and others).
• Promote the Diocesan clergy abuse group, No More Secrets, as well as retreat and healing groups for victims.
• Maintain accurate records of therapist assignments, assessments, recommendations, billings and related documentation while protecting the confidentiality of information.
• Coordinate any necessary healing sessions for affected parish communities.
• In collaboration with Chancellor:
• Recommend updates of Diocesan policies on issues regarding sexual misconduct of clergy of the Diocese of Oakland.
• Prepare reports for the annual USCCB Safe Environment Compliance data collection audit.
• Prepare reports for the triennial USCCB Safe Environment Compliance on-site audit.
• Collect data for the annual Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Survey of Allegations and Costs (CARA) report.
• Other duties or projects as assigned by the Bishop or the Chancellor.
REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience
The VAC position requires the following education and experience:
• Bachelor’s degree and professional education, graduate level studies, or graduate degree in social work, psychology, counseling psychology or similar field. Prefer LCSW or LMFT;
• Minimum five years work experience with progressively more important responsibilities. Must have experience in case management, counseling skills, office management and administration, report writing and presentation, oral communication, and advocacy.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of civil laws related to privacy rights of victim and clergy as well as mandated reporting. Knowledge of professional ethics and HIPPA requirements regarding receipt and handling of personal and confidential information.
• Ability to carry out all responsibilities with honesty, integrity, professionalism, balance, empathy, sensitivity, and patience
• Ability to balance sympathy and empathy with realism about human nature
• Ability to gather information needed to help Chancellor and Diocesan legal counsel discern appropriate next steps according to the Charter, Diocesan policies, and state laws. ,
• Knowledge of medical billing and coding for psychological services is a plus, or willingness to learn.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking, presentations, large and small group facilitation, training, and workshops
• Skills in interviewing, victim/witness support, records management, and database use
Other Requirements
• Deep faith, with great care and concern for the Roman Catholic Church.
• Roman Catholic who has the ability to articulate knowledge of the Roman Catholic Church and its teachings and to exhibit awareness and understanding of the mission and values of the Diocese
• Understanding of civil laws related to privacy rights of victims and clergy, as well as mandated reporting. Understanding the role of law enforcement and the criminal justice system in responding to child abuse allegations
Position open until filled. First review of applicants: April 15, 2022 Please submit letter of intent and resume to:
Gloria Espinoza, Director Department of Human Resources [email protected]
Division: Chancellor’s Office
Reports to: Chancellor
Hours per week: Part-time, 15-20 hours per week, flexible schedule with remote work possible
Classification: E-5
Description Overview
The Victims Assistance Coordinator (VAC) is the point of contact in the Diocese for victims of clergy sexual abuse. The VAC’s mission is to coordinate therapeutic care and services for victims in their healing journey and strives to promote reconciliation between the victim and the Church. The VAC serves in coordination with the Bishop to reach out to those suffering from the effects of clergy sexual abuse.
Primary Functions
• Be available to persons reporting clergy sexual abuse. Monitor on a daily basis the Diocese clergy abuse hotline, VAC office line, and email. Return calls from victims within 24 hours.
• Communicate with victims and prepare a written intake report for the Chancellor and Bishop.
• Present each new matter to the Diocesan Minor Review Board or Diocesan Adult Review Board and advocate on behalf of the victim.
• Make verbal, written reports to satisfy mandated reporting laws.
• Coordinate therapy for the victim and act as the case manager between victim and therapist.
• Work closely with the Bishop, Chancellor, and the Diocesan Minor and Adult Review Boards.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Support the Bishop in his pastoral responsibilities for outreach to victims of clergy sexual abuse
• Implement and comply with the USCCB Dallas Charter (and its updates) for the Protection of Children and Young People.
• Implement and comply with the Diocesan policies for the handling of individuals presenting claims of sexual abuse.
• Attend meetings of the Diocesan Minor Review Board and Diocesan Adult Review Board.
• Present information, make recommendations regarding victim’s allegations, and needs
• Receive and follow through with Board recommendations, in collaboration with Chancellor
• Respond pastorally and immediately (within 24 hours) to all individuals coming forward with allegations of clergy sexual abuse originating from the Oakland Diocese.
• Work with victims of clergy sexual abuse to coordinate counseling services and pastoral care.
• Participate in the work of the Outreach Ministry (e.g., Healing Garden events, multi- diocese outreach, public relations, and others).
• Promote the Diocesan clergy abuse group, No More Secrets, as well as retreat and healing groups for victims.
• Maintain accurate records of therapist assignments, assessments, recommendations, billings and related documentation while protecting the confidentiality of information.
• Coordinate any necessary healing sessions for affected parish communities.
• In collaboration with Chancellor:
• Recommend updates of Diocesan policies on issues regarding sexual misconduct of clergy of the Diocese of Oakland.
• Prepare reports for the annual USCCB Safe Environment Compliance data collection audit.
• Prepare reports for the triennial USCCB Safe Environment Compliance on-site audit.
• Collect data for the annual Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Survey of Allegations and Costs (CARA) report.
• Other duties or projects as assigned by the Bishop or the Chancellor.
REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience
The VAC position requires the following education and experience:
• Bachelor’s degree and professional education, graduate level studies, or graduate degree in social work, psychology, counseling psychology or similar field. Prefer LCSW or LMFT;
• Minimum five years work experience with progressively more important responsibilities. Must have experience in case management, counseling skills, office management and administration, report writing and presentation, oral communication, and advocacy.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of civil laws related to privacy rights of victim and clergy as well as mandated reporting. Knowledge of professional ethics and HIPPA requirements regarding receipt and handling of personal and confidential information.
• Ability to carry out all responsibilities with honesty, integrity, professionalism, balance, empathy, sensitivity, and patience
• Ability to balance sympathy and empathy with realism about human nature
• Ability to gather information needed to help Chancellor and Diocesan legal counsel discern appropriate next steps according to the Charter, Diocesan policies, and state laws. ,
• Knowledge of medical billing and coding for psychological services is a plus, or willingness to learn.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking, presentations, large and small group facilitation, training, and workshops
• Skills in interviewing, victim/witness support, records management, and database use
Other Requirements
• Deep faith, with great care and concern for the Roman Catholic Church.
• Roman Catholic who has the ability to articulate knowledge of the Roman Catholic Church and its teachings and to exhibit awareness and understanding of the mission and values of the Diocese
• Understanding of civil laws related to privacy rights of victims and clergy, as well as mandated reporting. Understanding the role of law enforcement and the criminal justice system in responding to child abuse allegations
Position open until filled. First review of applicants: April 15, 2022 Please submit letter of intent and resume to:
Gloria Espinoza, Director Department of Human Resources [email protected]