Bilingual Advocate/Advocate

Job Title:  Bilingual Advocate/Advocate

Department: Advocacy

Reports To: Advocacy Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classification:  Full-time

Revised: June 2024

Summary: 

The Bilingual Advocate/Advocate is responsible for providing support, advocacy, referral, and assistance to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking and stalking. This position is 100% devoted to direct client services which includes crisis intervention; safety planning; documentation; hotline coverage; outreach to victims; promoting economic security of victims; prepare for or lead client support groups; job related training; and internal WCA meetings. The Bilingual Advocate/Advocate works collaboratively with other domestic violence, sexual assault, and other community agencies to ensure seamless response to victims’ needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Meet with clients at the office, via phone or in person at other locations to provide crisis intervention, resources and support
• Provide in-person response to clients at hospital
• Assess safety of clients and work with them to create, implement, monitor, and update a safety plan
• Assist clients through health care, legal, criminal justice and health and human services systems
• Assist clients in emergency situations to obtain shelter, financial assistance, and other basic needs
• Work with other members of WCA staff to maintain an updated list of community resources
• Facilitate groups for clients on various topics, such as boundaries, self-esteem, coping skills, and self-care
• Present information on WCA services for victims to various community groups
• Maintain accurate client files, complete data entry, and submit timely reports to meet grant requirements. Assist clients to complete applications or other paperwork as needed
• Conduct community outreach and education to victims
• Perform the duties of an On-Call Advocate By being physically present in the building to respond to walk-in clients, answering the crisis hotline, answering calls with general inquiries about our services, and collaborating with staff and community partners to serve clients.
• Attend internal WCA staff meetings
• Complete new employee orientation and 20 hours of continuing education each year following.
• For the bilingual advocate, fluency in Spanish is required
• Other duties as assigned

Education/Experience:

At least six months to one year of prior experience working with clients as a volunteer or staff person in a human services-related organization is required. WCA also strongly values the personal lived experiences of individuals from all backgrounds.

Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Criminal Justice or related field strongly preferred

Qualifications:

• Ability to work with a diverse client population and cultural backgrounds
• Understanding of the impact of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking issues with clientele
• Ability to problem solve with clients
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Good working knowledge of computer programs including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Internet and database programs
• Ability to operate standard office equipment
• Regular and predictable attendance required
• Responsible for providing own transportation to meet with clients and other community providers
• Maintain confidentiality standards of the organization and in accordance with HIPAA standards

Physical Requirements:

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 to perform the essential functions.

The employee will be in a normal office environment while performing the duties of this job and will be required to sit, stand, walk and occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  In addition, employees will be required to drive to other locations to conduct company business.

WCA is an E-Verify employer, and will provide the necessary information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.