At Cornerstone, we value a rich and diverse employee and volunteer base and are committed to recruiting and retaining individuals of underrepresented backgrounds. We are also committed to creating an inclusive environment and a sense of belonging. We are an equal opportunity employer and an affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate based upon of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements and the work that we do at Cornerstone. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
ORGANIZATION SUMMARY
Cornerstone is a $5.4 M agency with approximately 100 employees. Our organization serves individuals impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, and general crime. We have office locations in Bloomington, Minneapolis, and Brooklyn Center.
Cornerstone has developed one of the most comprehensive service continuums for victims of violence in Minnesota. Our services are designed to move individuals and families from crisis to safety, stabilization and security. Last year approximately 4,000 individuals accessed Cornerstone programming. In addition, through Cornerstone’s statewide Day One Crisis and Crime Victim Support lines, we provided services to over 20,000 persons via phone, text and chat. We are committed to providing opportunities for others to partner with us in this work and to convey, as a community, zero-tolerance for violence. (www.cornerstonemn.org)
POSITION DESCRIPTION: Provide advocacy services to victims of general crime, in a trauma informed, knowledgeable manner. The advocate will inform the victim of their rights and available resources, including restitution, reparations and emergency funds. They will advocate/liaison with local law enforcement, victim witness coordinators/advocates, prosecutors and other professionals/providers within the criminal justice system on behalf of the victim when appropriate. Assists with the distribution of emergency funds.
Education/Experience
Minimum of bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, or related field. Knowledge of social service, welfare, mental health, principles of trauma informed advocacy and justice systems pertinent to the needs of a crime victim. Experience working with diverse populations. Minimum of 2-3 years’ experience in the victim service field. Must have a reliable car, valid driver’s license and proof of ongoing automobile insurance.
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Salary: $18.03-$21.75 per hour
Position Type: Full Time
Required Experience: 5-10 years
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES Information and Referral
Explain the criminal justice process, through post-conviction.
Explain the authority and discretion of criminal justice professionals.
Explain the statutory rights afforded to crime victims.
Explain to victims the availability of financial assistance through restitution, crime victim reparations and emergency funds, and provide appropriate referrals.
Provide information on available legal resources and courthouse-based Self-help Centers.
Provide information about civil protective orders.
Provide referrals for immigrant crime victims to appropriate social service and legal resources to meet their unique needs, such as assistance with U-visa applications.
Emergency Funds Assistance
Process requests for general crime victim emergency funds distributed through the program.Assist in vendors and participants in receiving general crime victim emergency funds via mail/purchase orders, etc. for greater Minnesota and at times, in-person for metro area requests.
Assistance
Collaborate with the Day One Crime Victim Support 24-hour crisis line that connects crime victims directly with advocates for crisis counseling and emergency assistance such as transportation, shelter, food and other basic necessities.Provide or connect victims to organizations that provide emergency assistance such as transportation, shelter, food and other basic necessities.
Provide follow-up assistance to victims.
Provide assistance to victims throughout the entire criminal justice process, including reporting the crime, during an investigation, case review, hearing/trial preparation, court accompaniment and post-conviction.
Ensure victims involved in a criminal prosecution understand who to contact in the prosecutor’s office and facilitate communication between victims and victim/witness staff or other appropriate person in prosecutorial agency.
Assist with completing reparations claim forms.
Assist with paperwork for emergency funds as directed.
Provide guidance and assistance in filing elder, vulnerable adult and child abuse reports.
Assist victims who wish to limit distribution of their personal information by explaining the statutory protections and assist in making the necessary request to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors.
Advocate on behalf of victims to help meet their self-defined needs in areas including, but not limited to, housing, safety and security issues; creditors; property repair; and in obtaining assistance from other non-traditional resources/services. Advocate on the behalf of victims with law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges to ensure the victims’ rights are upheld, their voices are heard.
Act as a liaison with criminal justice system personnel, such as law enforcement officers, prosecutors and victim/witness coordinators, and probation officers to ensure crime victims have the information they need at various stages in the process and can provide information to those criminal justice system personnel.
Organizational Expectations: Participate on internal CAS committees as assigned; Attend all staff meetings and trainings; provide support and attends CAS events such as Volunteer Recognition and DVAM activities throughout the year; support CAS marketing initiatives and promote CAS Mission and Philosophy; provide support to a minimum of one Cornerstone fundraising event per year; display high ethical/professional standards; represent CAS on external committees as assigned.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities and those who may be Deaf/Hard of Hearing, to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use manual dexterity for use of objects, tools, or controls as well as visual acuity. The employee is required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. The employee should always request assistance if any object needs to be lifted and the employee feels that their capabilities are such that the specific item to be lifted is beyond the employee’s abilities. No employee should attempt to lift more than what is comfortable for them. If such a situation should arise the employee should notify their supervisor to find help with lifting any item regardless of weight if the object to be lifted is awkward or difficult to lift in any way.
Cornerstone offers generous wages and excellent benefits.
How to Apply
You can also download Cornerstone’s employment application (PDF) and submit the completed application, resume and cover letter to Jobs@cornerstonemn.org with the job title in the email subject line.
Only applications with a completed form, resume and cover letter will be reviewed.
No agencies; no walk-ins; and no phone calls please. The Jobs@cornerstonemn.org email is only for receiving resumes. No additional information is known about open positions. Qualified applicants will be contacted after resumes are reviewed.
