Volunteer Job Description
Victim Services Bruce Grey Perth Volunteer Crisis Responders work as part of a crisis team, will respond immediately to requests from emergency services to provide short term emotional support and practical assistance to victims of crime or tragic circumstance.
Volunteer Qualifications
- Responsible
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to deal effectively with crisis situations
- Ability to commit to one year’s service
- Willing to submit personal references, provide a criminal record check and attend an interview
- Suitability to provide sensitive, emotionally safe and effective service to victims
- Valid driver’s license and own transportation
- Willing to complete minimum standards training and evaluation, attend ongoing meetings and educational development opportunities
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of all issues surrounding calls for service to victims, information shared in volunteer training and information about the organization
Position Summary
After successful completion of the standardized volunteer training and evaluation and swearing an oath of confidentiality, potential volunteers may be qualified as a victim services responder with Victim Services of Bruce Grey Perth. Once qualified, the volunteer, always working as part of a crisis team, will respond immediately to requests from emergency services to provide short term emotional support and practical assistance to victims of crime or tragic circumstance. The volunteer will ensure that appropriate options and/or referrals for longer term assistance are provided to the victim.
Time Commitment
In an effort to effectively serve the needs of our communities, our volunteers make a one-year commitment. During this time volunteers will be scheduled to be on call. The number of hours is flexible in consideration of volunteer availability.
Direct Service Responsibilities
- Respond immediately to requests for service from emergency services by attending on scene or at an alternate safe location. On occasion, crisis assistance may be provided by telephone.
- Provide emotional support which empowers the victim, including answering questions and providing information that will help lessen the impact of the crisis for the victim. Provide practical assistance as needed. This may include transportation and/or accompanying a victim to emergency services (shelters, hospital, etc.), making telephone calls on request or alternate arrangements as required, helping to secure premises and other similar tasks.
- Identify longer term needs by responding to the victim’s concerns and supply the victim with appropriate options and referrals to services in the community that will assist them in accessing resources for further assistance
- Prepare necessary reports, liaise with emergency services and report to your team leader as necessary
- Participate in the evaluation of the call and provide relevant information to the Program Coordinator for client follow-up
Other Duties and Responsibilities
- Ongoing participation in monthly training meetings and any other volunteer training events as scheduled.
- Reporting back to the Volunteer Coordinator or designate if a victim services call or assignment is particularly stressful for the attending volunteer(s). Individual debriefing will be available to assist volunteers in need of such assistance.
- Bringing to the attention of the Program Coordinator, any inappropriate volunteer behavior or victim complaint that could adversely affect Victim Services of Bruce Grey Perth.
Please note:
Acceptance into volunteer training does not guarantee that an applicant will be involved in direct service provision to victims. All staff, volunteers and board members will be subjected to a criminal record and Children’s Aid society check. References will be checked as part of the screening process.
