Relief Advocate - $20.94+

Company: Volunteers of America Oregon
Location: Portland
Posted on: January 27, 2023

Job Description:

Position Close Date: 1/27/23 Uploading a resume and cover letter to your application is required to be considered for this opportunity. Volunteers of America Oregon is seeking a Relief Advocate to join us in our initiatives to promote safer, more equitable communities while empowering and supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence.Home Free has been providing advocacy, resources, and support services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the Portland area for over 50 years. Gender-inclusive and culturally responsive services offered by Home Free include crisis support, safety planning, housing, and advocacy in legal, healthcare, and community settings. Members of our team mobilize compassion, skillfulness, creativity, and resources to empower over 5,000 survivors annually to weave together options to open life-changing pathways towards safety and self-determination.The Relief Advocate provides services on our Emergency Services and Restraining Order hotline remotely, and in Multnomah County Courthouse to survivors seeking protective orders. Courthouse services include accompanying survivors to court hearings and being available to court staff for consultation. Additional services include providing emotional support, safety and stabilization assessment, safety planning, advocacy, and system navigation for domestic violence survivors on a short-term and ongoing basis.Compensation: $20.94 - $27.92/hour, and there is 1.5% bilingual differential, (Depends on Experience and/or Certifications). This is a relief staff position based on program needs. Oregon Sick Time is offered as accrued.Education, Training & Experience:Bachelors degree in social work, womens/gender studies or a related field preferred. Associates degree and one year of related experience OR high School diploma/GED and two years of relevant experience or lived experience of domestic and/or sexual violence may be substituted in lieu of 4-year degree.This position requires experience or willingness to learn in the following areas: networking and building community partnerships, and provision of supportive services, especially within vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.Knowledge of legal, law enforcement and cross-disciplinary response to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.Competencies:Excellent communication, collaboration, and community networking skills.Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel).Enthusiasm for working with individuals of diverse identities, building bridges, and collaborating with a wide array of community partners including governmental and other non-profit agenciesComfort and skillfulness discussing topics related to domestic and sexual violence, healthy relationships, trauma, and contending with oppressive systemic factors which contribute to the ongoing prevalence of domestic and sexual violence with various entities.Ability to be self-directed, multitask, pivot effectively to fulfill the various aspects of the role, be flexible, prioritize daily workload, and operate calmly amidst stressful circumstances.An understanding and passion for continued learning around the root causes of domestic and sexual violence, and how injustices intersect based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability.The desire and ability to promote an anti-racist, inclusive, and culturally diverse and culturally responsive environment.The ability to relate respectfully with people of diverse backgrounds and ages, and to utilize equitable and trauma-informed practices.Awareness of your own personal and/or positional privilege and power.Bilingual/Bicultural preferred, but not required.Additional Eligibility Requirements:Ability to pass a background check.Ability to travel around the Portland Metro area for job-related activities.Completion of 40-hour domestic and sexual violence advocacy training, or equivalent to be approved by the Program Director OR expectation that training will be completed within first six months of employment (provided internally).Completion of Assertive Engagement (AE) training, OR expectation that training will be completed after employment (provided internally).COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: To protect the health and safety of VOA Oregon clients and employees and to be compliant with local, state, and federal mandates, VOA Oregon requires employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved medical or religious exception as a qualification of employment. Candidates who receive an offer of employment must provide proof of vaccination upon hire or submit an exception request prior to their start date.Essential Duties & Responsibilities:Assist in the provision of effective participant services in compliance with Volunteer of America Oregon's policies and procedures, licensing and certification regulations and funding source requirements.Provide direct support to survivors of domestic and sexual violence to include systems navigation, needs assessments, linkages to community resources, danger assessments and safety planning, and other services as needed.Provide assistance with systems navigation, safety planning, advocacy, emergency housing, and other services as needed.Provide culturally responsive economic empowerment assistance and supportive services and connect participants with culturally specific community services and supports.Work collaboratively with a co-advocacy model with case managers across Home Free programming, providing education and co-case management support as needed.Maintain records of services provided, create reports and calculate statistics as required by Home Free funders.Utilize client assistance to support survivors with transportation needs, debt reduction, and housing assistance.Process and maintain records for invoicing, including making copies or pertinent paperwork, file in appropriate foldersPick up/Drop off for various locations around the Portland Metro area as needed.Provide culturally responsive legal and court assistance and supportive services.Provide direct support to survivors of domestic and sexual violence to include systems navigation and court accompanimentMaintain positive working relationships with Multnomah County Court staff and judges, Family Court Services, Multnomah County Sheriffs Office, District Attorneys office, community groups, social service agencies, and other partners.Provide information about crime victim rights, protective orders, prosecution, and family law legal options.Provide petitioners with logistical information on civil legal remedies, civil and criminal justice systems, appropriate community resources, and the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence.Adherence to Home Frees Ethical Communication policies and procedures.Other Responsibilities:Represent VOA Oregon Home Free at community meetings and events.Attend trainings as required.Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.Supervisory Responsibility: Position is not responsible for supervision of other employees.Work Environment: Travel around the Portland Metro Arrive for home/community visits and items drop off as needed. Access to Home Free office space is optional, outside of when needed, and the remainder of work will be performed remotely on a laptop and smartphone provided by VOA Oregon. Due to COVID-19, the requirements of this position are subject to change to full-time remote, returning to the office environment full-time, or alternating office and remote work. These decisions will be based on operational needs and guidance from State and local officials.Schedule: This is a relief staff position, up to 19 hours/week.Volunteers of America Oregon is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability any other category protected by federal, state or local law.

Keywords: Volunteers of America Oregon, Portland , Relief Advocate - $20.94+, Other , Portland, Oregon