Bilingual Victim Advocate

The Bilingual Advocate provides direct support and advocacy services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault who are clients of Safer Path. This position works directly with people who are in active crisis, many of whom are living in a rural emergency domestic violence shelter. This position is full-time, mostly working a Monday-Friday, 8:00 to 5:00 schedule. However, this position is also responsible for providing regularly scheduled 24/7 on-call coverage for after-hours client support. Safer Path provides ongoing training so our staff is equipped to meet emerging client needs.

This is a challenging position. We need a bilingual, fluent Spanish speaker to provide victim services and support groups in Spanish. This person must be committed to providing a high standard of care, confidentiality, integrity, and ethics. The ideal candidate will be able to work with traumatized people, maintain clear boundaries, be a good communicator, be committed to respecting the confidential nature of this program, be committed to the mission and values of Safer Path, be highly stress-tolerant, and be able to maintain their composure in difficult situations.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide crisis intervention and empowerment-based, trauma-informed advocacy
• Educate clients about the dynamics of domestic violence
• Connect with and refer clients to other agencies to meet client needs, such as housing, employment, medical care, childcare, legal assistance, etc.
• Provide ongoing peer counseling and safety planning to empower clients
• Assist clients in navigating the civil and legal systems, including support with protective orders, crime victims’ compensation applications, and attending court alongside them
• Transport clients safely using agency vehicles to places connected to meeting their needs, such as attorneys' offices, law enforcement agencies, criminal justice offices, courts, and community agencies
• Advocate for victims with other community service providers to help them understand the dynamics of abuse and the impact of trauma
• Facilitate scheduled support group meetings for clients
• Record client and service information in the client database in a timely and efficient manner.
• Serve on-call a minimum of one weekend per month. On-call is regularly scheduled and communicated early. Call-outs are infrequent and largely related to providing accompaniment and advocacy support to victims seeking a sexual assault forensic exam. You will be trained through our OAG Certified Sexual Assault Advocacy program before your on-call service begins.
• Create a welcoming and calming atmosphere through positive staff/client interactions and by modeling effective conflict resolution.
• Relate to other persons and tolerate personal differences in values and opinions
• Participate in regular case staffing meetings, monthly All-Staff meetings, and regularly scheduled training sessions
• Meet with the Advocacy Manager for individual and group supervision. We value sustainability in advocacy work and provide regular supervision and training to support staff effectiveness and well-being.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Advocacy Manager that are consistent with the scope of advocacy services

Qualifications:

• Bilingual in Spanish required.
• High school diploma required. A degree in social work or a related field is preferred. However, relevant experience may be considered instead of a degree.
• Minimum of one year of experience working with trauma survivors, in crisis intervention, or in a high-stress environment.
• Ability to facilitate groups and activities with adults
• Must be computer literate and able to work with Microsoft Office software
• Must have a positive attitude, concern for people and community, a supportive presence, confidence in yourself, common sense, a sense of humor, and good listening skills.
• Able to walk, bend, stoop, twist at the waist, reach, climb stairs, sit for long periods of time, lift, and carry at least 25 lbs.
• Bring strong time management and organizational skills
• Provide own transportation; possess a valid Texas driver’s license, proof of auto insurance, and a positive driving record
• MUST pass a background check

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $35,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Pleasanton, TX 78064 (Required)

Work Location: In person