DV Community Advocate

Join a team where you can offer compassion, dignity, and sustainable opportunities for people in need in your local community

The Salvation Army is an inspiring place to work. With offices in every major US city and over 120 countries around the globe, it's a place where people can invest in people on every level. In the Northwest region of the United States, we are committed to being an efficient and effective network of local offices that provide the community with resources, such as food and shelter opportunities. As one of the most impactful social service organizations in the world, we hire people who constantly seek new ways to keep us moving forward.

Use your administrative and social services skills as a DV Community Advocate

DV Community Advocates work in Seattle and King County with all gender adult survivors of intimate partner violence (DV) on an empowerment model to provide safety planning, crisis response, emotional support, and case management services. Services to be provided by this position will focus particularly in assisting homeless DV survivor households to become rapidly re-housed in private rented accommodation with financial assistance and supportive services to promote long term housing stability. Given this, the advocate will at times provide mobile advocacy services by driving to meet with and/or accompany clients to various locations throughout Seattle and King County. For example, to view rental opportunities or meet with potential landlords. Driving in the employee's own vehicle is required.

This position is full-time, non-exempt, and located in Seattle, Washington.

Pay Rate: $28.45/hour

Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform screenings of potential clients and conduct in-person intake interviews and assessments.
• Handle client and agency data in a confidential and secure manner.
• On an empowerment model, provide rapid rehousing, including financial assistance for move-in costs, rent, utilities, and other needs with follow-up housing-focused case management to maintain client safety and housing stability.
• Provide regular "mobile advocacy" services by meeting with and accompanying clients to a variety of locations such as rental housing opportunities, landlord meetings, and appointments with other social service providers.
• Respond to crisis calls by providing support, safety planning, information, and referrals to resources.
• Coordinate services with referral partners to ensure clients' immediate basic needs are met: such as food, clothing, toiletries, medication, transportation, and shelter.
• Arrange necessary contacts, letters, or communications with other agencies or individuals to assist client attainment of goals and access to resources.
  Respond to emergency situations that may arise, making independent decisions within policy guidelines, as necessary.
• Provide crisis intervention and institute security procedures should a critical or threatening situation arise and identify and report on workplace health and safety risks, accidents, incidents, injuries and property damage.
• Work closely with the DV Director and DV Community advocacy team on all matters related to DV Programs team goals, tasks and initiatives, safety, and related matters.
• Attend meetings, trainings and other group events connected with our region's ongoing efforts to end gender-based violence, as directed.
• Conduct outreach and engagement efforts to develop strong collaborative relationships with system and community-based partners and referral agencies, and participate in multidisciplinary efforts to enhance survivor safety, wellbeing, and housing stability.
• Maintain accurate program records, files, outcome reports, databases and statistics to satisfy strict reporting deadlines.
• Work cooperatively with other Salvation Army programs and personnel.
• Participate in trainings, conferences, classes, and related opportunities to meet Washington State requirements for DV service providers and to continue professional growth and development.
• Respectfully represent The Salvation Army's programs to the community and referral agencies.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Domestic Violence Programs.
  

Education & Experience

• A Bachelor's degree in social work or related field OR equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience and/or education in the field of gender-based violence meaning experience working with DV/sexual assault/CSE and human trafficking survivors with knowledge of the local systems, agencies, and resources relevant to those populations.
• Experience providing direct services to persons experiencing homelessness with experience in rapid rehousing, landlord/tenant negotiation or other relevant negotiation/mediation experience.
• Experience providing direct services to diverse populations in a culturally and linguistically responsive manner by welcoming and celebrating staff and clients from a variety of racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds and with varied religious beliefs, lifestyles, sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions.
• Experience in multi-disciplinary approaches to case planning including outreach, networking and co-advocating with other agencies and systems to facilitate client access to housing, financial, medical, legal, educational, and other resources.
  

The information in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description.

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A generous benefits package is included with full-time positions: paid holidays, vacation time, sick time, and medical, vision, and dental insurance.

Health Insurance: Low bi-weekly premiums for employee-only coverage, Kaiser HMO for those residing in a Kaiser service area, Anthem EPO/PPO is available for those residing outside a Kaiser service area. Voluntary +1 and +family coverage at additional cost. Delta Dental DHMO and DPPO dental insurance are offered.

Life and Voluntary Options. An employer-paid life insurance policy covers employees. Voluntary supplemental life, short-term and long-term disability plans are available.

Retirement Plans: Employer-funded Money Purchase Pension Plan (Defined Contribution Plan) 50% vested at five years eligible service time. Plus, an employee-funded voluntary 403(b) option.

Parental Leave: The benefit is 40 hours of Paid Leave for qualifying events.

Sick Leave: 12 days of Sick Leave annually accruing from day one, eligible for use after three months' service time.

Paid Vacation:

• Two weeks annually, accruing from day one, for non-exempt positions.
• Four weeks annually, accruing from day one, for exempt positions.
• Accrued vacation is eligible for use after six months' service time.
  

Paid Holidays: 13 designated holidays + 1 floating holiday per year

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. The Salvation Army is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified job applicants, job candidates, and employees with disabilities to ensure they enjoy equal access to all employment opportunities and benefits of employment as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. EEO is the Law.

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

"The Salvation Army will comply with all governmental orders and any contractual obligations relative to COVID-19 safety measures, including mandatory vaccination of staff if required. The Salvation Army will consider requests for exemptions from any such requirements on either religious or medical grounds."

Once a conditional offer has been made and then accepted by the applicant, The Salvation Army may then ask specific questions about vaccination status, if applicable. If the applicant requests an exemption, then the processes described in this summary should be followed.