24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 269-385-3587

General Contact: 269-345-5595

Bilingual Advocate

To provide trauma informed advocacy and other supportive services to both English and Spanish speaking survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and work collaboratively with other community partners/agencies.

Department: Victim Services
Supervisor: Director of Advocacy
Compensation Range: $24.00/hour, Support Staff Salary Scale
FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Hours of Work: Monday – Friday; Typical Business Hours. Occasional evening or weekend work.

Kalamazoo 49007

Brief Description

To provide trauma informed advocacy and other supportive services to both English and Spanish speaking survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and work collaboratively with other community partners/agencies.

Job Responsibilities

  1. Provide (on-site, at satellite locations or in the community) client directed services including crisis intervention, supportive counseling, case management, advocacy, referral, support groups and follow-up.
  2. Inform program participants about choices and options regarding economic, legal, social, health and other basic needs.
  3. Assist with volunteer and field placement training and activities as a part of supportive counseling and related activities.
  4. Maintain program participant records, collect statistics and submit reports as required.
  5. Work collegially to assure that client needs are met, assisting other staff as needed.
  6. Safeguard confidential information gained as a result of the job.
  7. Comply with applicable local, state and federal licensing/certification requirements and/or regulations.
  8. Comply with agency policy regarding required reporting of child abuse.
  9. As a YWCA employee, project a positive image of the Association and its programs to the community, the Association and the program.
  10. Work cooperatively with program participants, YWCA staff and volunteers.
  11. Perform other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  1. YWCA location
  2. Off-site/Community based locations
  3. Potential outdoor events
  4. Sitting, standing, kneeling, bending, some lifting
  5. Continually required to talk or hear
  6. While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
  7. The employee must occasionally lift and /or move more than 10 pounds

Education requirements, certifications, work experience

  1. Bachelor’s degree in human service or related field required. Master’s degree preferred. Certification/licensure as required. Commensurate experience in the area of domestic and/or sexual assault may be considered.
  2. Minimum one-year experience in crisis intervention, supportive counseling and/or case work required.
  3. Must be bilingual in English and Spanish.
  4. Able to act as an interpreter/translator in order to meet the client’s needs.
  5. Ability to work under pressure and with people of diverse backgrounds.
  6. Able to be flexible and creative in meeting client needs while maintaining professional boundaries.
  7. Ability to function as a member of a team.
  8. Able to appropriately interact with and support people who have experienced trauma.
  9. Satisfactory response to criminal, child abuse, and neglect history background checks.
  10. A valid driver’s license and the ability to operate a motor vehicle expected.
  11. CPR and First Aid certification required.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Orientation to YWCA Personnel Policies, Mission, Purpose and One Imperative.
  2. Racial Justice Training
  3. Orientation to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Confidentiality, Mandatory Reporting.
  4. Other appropriate training and in-service which will occur during employment.

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