Advocate

The Agency: S.H.A.D.E

Survivors Healing, Advising and Dedicated to Empowerment (SHADE) has a mission to empower survivors of sexually exploitation, human trafficking and domestic violence and create economic opportunities, leadership development, provide a survivor voice missing from the mainstream and make systemic and community change. We provide several services, but our end goal is always to help other organizations develop safe spaces and guidance to help sexually exploited persons to transform their lives. We also work toward long-term solutions to the problem of domestic victims of human trafficking such as research, policy and training for professionals working with children.

The Program: Worth It-Street Outreach

Worth It -Street Outreach is a survivor-led program that engages with individuals involved in the sex industries and those being trafficked or sexually exploited. We support connections with services that are vital to survivor well-being and a safe exit from the commercial sex industry. Through collaboration with multiple community stakeholders, our Street Outreach Team coordinates with direct service providers engaged in ending homelessness and human trafficking, and local government, who often interface with survivors and the homeless community.

Our program is designed as an innovative response to the problem of identifying and serving victims of human trafficking that are unhoused and who are not served under our existing protocols for working within the child welfare system and the justice system, and who do not self-identify as victims nor present themselves for supportive services assistance.

Under supervision of the Director and Direct Services Coordinator, the Outreach Advocate will work in Oakland and along the blade/tracks identifying exploited and trafficked individuals. The Outreach Advocate will utilize a trauma informed, multidisciplinary approach to engage the hardest to serve individuals in an effort to connect them to services, including SHADE services, county diversion and coordinated entry services, with the ultimate goal of helping them exit or free themselves.

This position requires an outgoing nature and the ability to work independently in the field. All job duties are completed with the intention of supporting and stabilizing individuals in crisis in accordance with formal policies and procedures.

Field Hours: Monday afternoons, Tuesday nights, Friday and Saturday Nights

Office Hours: Mondays/Tuesdays/Thursdays/some Fridays: 12pm-5pm.

MUST BE AVAILABLE NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS!!!

MUST HAVE DRIVES LICENSE, CAR INSURANCE AND A REGISTERED VEHICLE.

(PPE gear is provided as well).

General Duties include:

● Provide outreach to exploited individuals.

● Provide them with a care bag and referral to a safe place if appropriate.

● Complete basic intake paperwork for new participants entering the program.

● Identify target population, perform screening assessments, make appropriate referrals, and provide linkage to primary care, mental health, short term residential stabilization, and other social services offered through the continuum of care.

● Assist in generating monthly reports and compiling data and program statistics.

● Keep case files up-to-date, thorough, and accurate through computer / data entry.

● Home visit: Place individuals in safe places through hotel and or shelter, safe housing, if placed in a hotel conduct daily in person follow ups to ensure safety and to address any needs or concerns.

● Maintains the Center's physical space, Follow all policy and procedures for the program.

● Keep track and log inventory of food and clothing gift cards, including a shopping list semimonthly.

● Support the participant’s recovery and healing transition and meet them where they are.

● Provides support and resources to participants.

● Actively involve clients in the design and delivery of supportive services by ensuring they have an active voice in their goal/service plans.

● Assists participants with self-directed activities

● Assist in the development and builds program curriculum

● Conducts outreach to local Community Based Organizations ensure eligible individuals

are accessing the program when directed.

● Supports Service Coordinator in planning and implementing special events and outings.

● Requests supplies and materials for program operations as needed

● Provides guidance to program volunteers/guests.

● Communicates relevant information and needs between participants and other service staff

● Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor, and or Director.

● Attend and participate in program trainings, staff and partner meetings, agency events and supervision.

REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Minimum-High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)

Desirable- Masters or bachelor’s degree in public health, social work, sociology, psychology and or 4 years of relevant work experience

Experience

● Working in with high-risk populations, cis, trans and non-binary person (s)

● Minimum of 3 year working with victims/survivors of sexual trauma

● Creating and building relationships with participants and community partners.

● Promoting healing center and trauma informed engagement services.

● Utilizing de-escalation, problem-solving skills to address safety risks.

● Facilitating and leading support groups and or women or youth groups

● Desirable-Curriculum Development

● Youth Leadership Development

● Desirable-Previous experience/training with child sexual trauma, domestic violence/teen dating violence and sexual assault. If this is training, please provide your certificate.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

● Ability to be dependable and present

● Ability to multitask and regulate stressful environments.

● Knowledge of at-risk youth and commercial sexual exploitation

● Ability to have healthy boundaries working with participants and co-workers

● Ability to respond to volatile person (s) in a positive and loving manner

● Ability to serve as a role model for person (s) being served

● Ability to administer policies and procedures that ensures the safety and confidentiality of participants.

● Ability to develop positive relationships with participants, colleagues, and supervisors

● Ability to assume a leadership role in initiating needed trainings and activities.

● Ability to work with person (s) and accommodate the specific needs of individuals.

● Experience and sensitivity in working with culturally and sexually diverse populations.

● Excellent communication, organizational and time management skills

● Ability to work in a team environment

● Ability to work flexible working hours, including evenings and some weekends

● Computer programs (word, excel, power point, etc.) competence.

● Ability to read, write, speak, and understand or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.

• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodations made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Additional Requirements

● Current driver's license and insured vehicle w/proof, DMV driving record print out required.

● Background check

● TB clearance

● Hired staff will be required to complete trainings and obtain certification as a stated certified sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking counselor within the first year of employment.

Trainings are paid for through the agency!

Salary and Benefits

● Depends on experience

● $25-26 an hour

● Medical benefits and Leaves (including maternity leave) available to full-time staff only.

S.H.A.D.E values diversity and is an equal opportunities employer.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $25.00 - $26.50 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• Why are you interested in this position???
• Do you have a reliable registered vehicle? -Required
• Hi, Have you read the whole job description?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• Direct Street Outreach: 1 year (Preferred)
• providing GBV services: 1 year (Preferred)
• advocacy services: 1 year (Required)

Language:

• Bilingual- Spanish (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• California Driver License (Required)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)
• Night Shift (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Oakland, CA (Required)

Work Location: In person