Community Advocate - Bilingual

Bilingual (English / Spanish) Required.

As a YWCA employee, you’ll enjoy knowing that every day you make a difference in the lives of people who seek our services. You’ll be an integral part of a culture that celebrates individual contributions and values meaningful work and authentic connections.

YWCA’s dedication to our mission is only equal to our dedication to our employees.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefit program including employer-paid medical and dental.
• 16 paid holidays.
• Retirement plan that contributes up to 14 (%) percent.
• 12 paid sick / 10 paid vacation days your first year, increasing with length of service.
• 2 mental health days.
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• A feedback culture that is mission driven by meaningful work and authentic connections, where individuals are celebrated and appreciated.

“My experience… has exceeded my expectations ten-fold. I’m so happy to be a part of a team who values autonomy, empowerment, emotional connection, and motivation to do what is right.”

• YWCA Team Member

SCHEDULE: Mon-Fri; 8:00-5:00

RATE OF PAY: $24.00-$26.00/Hour

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Community Advocate is stationed at the Family Justice Center and is responsible for providing assistance and resource information to victims of domestic violence.

This is a high-profile, public-interaction position requiring a high degree of compassion, professionalism, and a constant awareness that the employee is often the first non-law enforcement contact the victim encounters. The Community Advocate is truly an ‘ambassador’ for the organization. Public presentations about domestic violence issues are occasionally required. The Community Advocate must be available to be on a rotating on-call schedule and be responsive to phone calls and to immediate law enforcement advocate requests.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned as needed:

Advocacy

• Performs intake, on-going assessment, and develops individualized, goal-oriented service plans to enhance safety, stability and self-sufficiency for clients and their families. Assists in achieving goals through advocacy, information and referral concerning legal, health, housing, public entitlements, family functioning and dynamics, substance abuse and other service needs. Assists in the development and use of personal and community resources; teaches and enhances problem-solving and self-advocacy skills.

Reporting

• The position requires that specific reports be completed in a timely and accurate fashion according to grantor mandates. Employees must understand that failure to comply with this administrative aspect of the job may jeopardize the grant – as well as continued employment - and should comply accordingly.

Group Facilitation

• Facilitates peer support groups of 5-15 clients around a wide array of domestic violence issues. Candidate will also be responsible for intake and screening of appropriate group participants.

Public Speaking

• Collaborates, coordinates and attends monthly multi-disciplinary meetings with community agencies.

Fundamental Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The successful candidate possesses the ability to consistently demonstrate the following characteristics in these key areas:

Advocacy and Case Management

• Knowledge of the basic principles of public safety for domestic violence.
• Knowledge of or ability to acquire working knowledge of the legal system as it applies to Civil Protection Orders.
• Knowledge of or ability to acquire working knowledge of immigration process of a U-Visa or through VAWA.
• Ability to handle crisis situations, be flexible and remain calm in stressful situations.

Communications

• Ability to communicate proficiently in both English and Spanish with clients from varied backgrounds, cultures, and socio-economic levels where English may not be the primary language.
• Strong interview skills: ability to extract personal information

Leadership and Teamwork

• Able to maintain a professional attitude and calm demeanor in the face of emotionally challenging circumstances.
• Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to create and maintain good working relationships with YWCA clients, volunteers and staff.
• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively with all contacts in a culturally diverse environment.

Operations and Administration

• Working knowledge of computer applications. Able to use standard office communication methods, such as email, fax, phone.
• Generate accurate reporting and data in a timely fashion as directed. Ability to detect obvious errors in data and recognize needed corrective action.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks, conflicting priorities, and deadlines.
• Analytical thinking, goal and priority setting, problem solving, follow through skills.
• Basic arithmetic computation.
• Universal Precautions and other safe work practices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The candidate must meet the following criteria to be considered for employment in this position:

• Bilingual - English/Spanish.
• Any combination of education, training and experience that would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills and abilities above.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, including ability to relate to diverse client and community population via telephone and in person.
• Experience with Windows operating system.
• Willingness to be “on-call”, work nights, holidays and/or weekends.
• Valid driver’s license, current auto insurance, ability to transport self to job-related events and education locations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
• Experience as group facilitator, crisis intervention and/or social work.
• Two years’ work or volunteer experience in a human service setting preferred.

CONDITIONS OF HIRE:

• Prior to employment, ability to pass agency criminal background check, TB test and physical.
• Ability to pass County of Sonoma District Attorney's Office Personal History and Background Check.
• Valid driver’s license and current automobile insurance

YWCA SONOMA COUNTY’S COMMITMENT TO DEI:

We at YWCA Sonoma County know that our best work happens when all our voices are heard, our perspectives are valued, and our whole selves are engaged.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.00 - $26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Experience:

• Crisis intervention: 1 year (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Santa Rosa, CA 95403: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $24 - $26