Victim advocate serp_jobs.h1.location_city

Department : Survivor Services

Reports to : InReach Manager

Status : Full time, hourly / non-exempt

Wage : $25.48 per hour

Position Overview

Are you a creative problem solver committed to empowering and supporting survivors?

Are you passionate about helping survivors of domestic and / or sexual violence to

secure permanent housing? Are you dedicated to working across organizations and

systems to advocate with survivors? YWCA of Greater Portland helps domestic violence

survivors navigate systems and attain safe and stable housing as part of YWCA USA,

the largest and oldest provider of domestic violence support services in the world. In this

role, you will support survivors of domestic and / or sexual violence to access housing.

The Domestic Violence Advocate will be on a mission to support vulnerable survivors

with trauma-informed and survivor-centered services.

YWCA is on a Mission

YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace,

justice, freedom, and dignity for all. For more than 120 years, YWCA of Greater Portland

has invested in our community, supported survivors, and advocated for the most

vulnerable among us : women, children, seniors, the unhoused, and the incarcerated. As

one of 200 Associations nationwide, we are proud members of YWCA USA, one of the

oldest and largest women's organizations in the nation.

Key Responsibilities

Responsive and strategic housing support

• Use a housing‐first approach to support survivors of domestic and / or sexual violence to attain or retain safe housing, frequently in emergency and / or chronically houseless situations. This may include, but is not limited to, landlord negotiation / mediation, medical and / or legal advocacy referrals, harm reduction, safety planning, and attendance at formal or informal hearings.
• Provide ongoing support to program participants by conducting intake assessments, determining eligibility, and coordinating services.
• Serve program participants consistently and proactively through referrals, waitlists, and similar county‐wide forums.
• Provide emotional support and basic needs supplies as requested by survivor.
• Create safety plans alongside survivors using a harm reduction lens.
• Build rapport with survivors by regularly visiting partnering indoor and outdoor shelter sites and / or encampments.
• Provide ongoing housing retention support to help survivors with transition as requested.
• Apply knowledge of Fair Housing and VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) protections and / or landlord / tenant laws and contextualize the survivor’s experience while maintaining confidentiality.
• Meet all contractual obligations for housing survivors and conduct meaningful outreach activities.
• Coordinate engagement with other domestic violence, mental health, anti-poverty, and legal service providers at the directive of the survivor.

Conduct data collection, analysis, and programmatic evaluation

Participatory teamwork and responsible representation

The Ideal Candidate

Skills, Knowledge, & Experience

Job Conditions

Benefits

Our Hiring Philosophy

We believe that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace makes us stronger, more creative, and more resilient. As an organization that works to amplify the voices of those from different ethnic, racial, and cultural communities, religions, gender identities, sexual orientations and / or expressions, we highly encourage people from all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and experiences to apply.

YWCA of Greater Portland is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or caregiver status, veteran status, justice-involved background, or any other legally protected status. We work to ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application and interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Multicultural, multilingual, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ voices matter to us. We encourage everyone who is passionate about our mission and who can bring valuable lived experience to this position to apply, even if you don't believe you meet all the described qualifications. YWCA will not hire someone currently receiving services or within the first 6 months of ending YWCA services. YWCA cannot provide services to our own employees, but can provide referrals to other agencies.

YWCA does not allow or condone the use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our workplace for applications, text, images, etc. Its negative impacts on human creativity and the environment are in direct conflict with our values as an organization.

Application Instructions

This posting is open until filled and interviews will be conducted as applications are received . To apply, please email the following materials to employment@ywcapdx.org :

A single PDF file is preferred. Only complete applications will be considered.