Victim Advocate

Victim Advocate (Bilingual – Spanish/English Required)

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Reports To: Program Coordinator

Status: Full-Time – 40 hours/week

About the Ohio Hispanic Coalition

Founded in 1990, the Ohio Hispanic Coalition (OHCO) is Ohio’s only Latino-led, statewide multiservice nonprofit organization. For over 35 years, OHCO has advanced health equity, economic mobility, and safety for Latino families across Central Ohio and beyond.

Our Soy Latina Victim Services Program provides culturally and linguistically responsive advocacy to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other violent crimes — many of whom face barriers related to immigration status, language access, poverty, and systemic inequities.

Position Overview

The Victim Advocate plays a critical role in advancing survivor safety, healing, and long-term independence within Latino and immigrant communities. This position provides trauma-informed crisis intervention, safety planning, court advocacy, and comprehensive case management grounded in cultural humility and survivor empowerment.

The ideal candidate is bilingual, equity-driven, and experienced navigating complex systems including courts, law enforcement, housing, and immigration-related concerns.

Core Responsibilities

Direct Survivor Advocacy

• Provide crisis intervention and lethality-informed safety planning.
• Deliver survivor-centered case management focused on stability and independence.
• Assist clients in accessing emergency shelter, housing assistance, legal advocacy, protection orders, compensation, counseling, and public benefits.
• Provide court accompaniment in criminal and civil proceedings, including protection orders and custody matters.
• Support survivors navigating immigration-related risks and referrals (e.g., U-visas, VAWA petitions) in coordination with legal partners.
• Maintain consistent follow-up to promote long-term safety and economic security.

Culturally Responsive Services

• Deliver services in Spanish and English with linguistic and cultural competence.
• Address barriers related to immigration status, mixed-status households, fear of deportation, and mistrust of institutions.
• Integrate culturally grounded engagement strategies to build trust within Latino communities.

Systems & Community Collaboration

• Collaborate with law enforcement, prosecutors, healthcare providers, schools, and social service agencies.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams and coordinated community response efforts.
• Conduct outreach and education within Latino-serving spaces, faith communities, and community organizations.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain confidential, accurate documentation in compliance with VOCA and VAWA requirements.
• Track service outcomes and contribute to grant reporting and performance metrics.
• Uphold ethical standards and survivor confidentiality at all times.

Qualifications

Required

• Bilingual Spanish/English (written and verbal fluency required).
• Valid Ohio driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Public Health, or related field (or equivalent lived/professional experience).
• Minimum 2 years of experience working with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, or related trauma.
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed and survivor-centered practice.
• Knowledge of Ohio victim rights laws and court processes.
• Strong crisis management and boundary-setting skills.

Preferred

• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Ohio or license-eligible.
• Experience serving immigrant and mixed-status families.
• Familiarity with immigration-related protections for crime victims.
• Experience with lethality assessment tools and evidence-based advocacy models.

Employee Benefits

• Long-term growth and leadership opportunities
• Flexible schedule
• Paid professional development
• Paid trainings and conferences locally and across the United States
• PTO and paid holidays
• Paid vacation days after one year of employment
• Health insurance
• Employer-supported retirement plan
• Collaborative, mission-driven workplace

Why Join OHCO?

At the Ohio Hispanic Coalition, you will do more than provide services — you will help dismantle barriers that prevent Latino survivors from accessing safety and justice.

You will join a respected, statewide Latino-led organization that understands the intersection of violence, poverty, racism, and immigration policy — and works every day to address those root causes.

If you are passionate about culturally responsive advocacy, equity-driven systems change, and empowering survivors toward safety and independence, we encourage you to apply.

The Ohio Hispanic Coalition is an equal opportunity employer and fully supports and maintains compliance with all state, federal, and local regulations. The Ohio Hispanic Coalition does not discriminate against associates or applicants because of race, color, genetic information, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, ancestry, national origin, veteran status, military status, pregnancy, disability, marital status, familial status, or other characteristics protected by law. Equal employment is extended to all person in all aspects of the associate-employer relationship including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, discipline, reduction in staff, termination, assignment of benefits, and any other term or condition of employment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $19.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Work Location: In person