- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of all issues surrounding calls for service to victims and information shared in volunteers training sessions
- Mature
- Responsible
- Good communication skills
- Ability or experience to deal with crisis situations
- A minimum of one year commitment
- Willing to submit personal references, provide a C.P.I.C. (criminal background check): attend an interview with VSND staff
- Personal stability to provide sensitive, emotionally safe and effective service to victims on behalf of VSND
- Knowledge of community resources
- Willing to complete minimum standards training, evaluation exam and attend ongoing monthly meetings/training development
- Ability to work cooperatively as part of a crisis team
Position Summary
After successful completion of a minimum 40-hour volunteer training and orientation, potential volunteers may be qualified as victim service providers with VSND. Once qualified, the volunteers, always working as part of a crisis team, will respond immediately to request from emergency personnel 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.
Direct Service Responsibilities
- Respond immediately to request for victim assistance from the O.P.P. and/or other emergency service personnel by attending onsite or an alternate safe premise. On occasion, crisis assistance may be done by telephone.
- Provide emotional support and practical assistance, including answering the questions and providing information that will help lessen the impact of the crisis for the victim.
- Identify longer term needs by responding to victim’s concerns and supply the victim with appropriate options and referral to services in the community that will assist them in accessing resources for further assistance.
- Reporting to Team Leader upon arrival at call and again upon completion of the call and your arrival home.
- Completing incident report and submitting it to the office or blue box within the next working day
- Participate in the evaluation of the call and providing relevant information to VSND staff
- Coordinators for client follow up
Other Duties and Responsibilities
- On-going participation in monthly meetings and training events as scheduled
- Reporting back to staff if the crisis call or assignment is particularly stressful. Individual attention or debriefing will be available to assist the volunteer in coping
- Bringing to the attention of the staff any inappropriate behaviour or victim complaint
- Responsible for ensuring that pagers are in good working order
- Completion of expense statement for mileage and out of pocket expenses
- Complete annual self-evaluation questionnaire and review with staff
Documents
Volunteer Application (22 KB - PDF)File:
volunteer application 2010.pdfExit Interview Form (37 KB PDF)File:
exit-interview-form.pdf 
