Client Advocate - Bilingual SPANISH

FULL TIME and NON-EXEMPT  

Reports to:  Community Engagement Coordinator 

Benefits Eligible:  Yes

Schedule of Hours:  37.5 Hours Per Week, Monday through Friday 

Hybrid Status: 100% on-site work required 

Mandated Reporter: NO 

 ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION 

Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA), is the only agency in San Mateo County providing crisis intervention and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence and their children, seeks a Bilingual Client Advocate for satellite offices located across San Mateo County to provide consistent and reliable services to survivors of domestic abuse and their families.  

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Bilingual Client Advocate for Satellite Offices is responsible for developing a vision around and facilitating high quality programming for all of CORA’s domestic violence satellite collaborative projects geared toward specialized populations. This position is responsible for day-to-day operations and direct client services of satellite office. The Client Advocate provides crisis intervention, case management, and supportive counseling to a case load of 20 clients and walk – in clients at satellite office locations. The Client Advocate is responsible for providing a safe, healthy and welcoming environment for clients.  Services provided are voluntary and include safety planning, case management, external and internal referrals, and group facilitation.  All services are provided within the context of a trauma-informed approach and in conjunction with community partners and other CORA departments The Client Advocate works in partnership with the program staff, community education staff, and volunteers to provide ongoing education and technical assistance to community stakeholders.  This position helps to maintain ongoing collaborative relationships, implement evaluative systems in alignment with contract requirements for quality assurance purposes, and manage referral systems to ensure efficient access to CORA’s comprehensive, trauma-informed services, as needed. This position will be located at our East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks and Half Moon Bay satellite offices and will be required to travel to other locations throughout San Mateo County. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Direct Services (70%) 

• Maintain a caseload of 20 clients enrolled in CORAs guaranteed income program, providing case management and regular in-person meetings.
• Refer victims to CORA’s intervention services, as appropriate, including mental health services, legal services, emergency shelter, supportive housing, children’s programming, and job development program.  
• Create and maintain partnerships with local establishments and forming relationships with key individuals of influence in the community. 
• Develop and distribute program materials, flyers, and brochures in partnership with the Community Engagement Coordinator. 
• Coordinate and streamline intake/screening process and triage referrals.   
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor. 

Administrative (30%) 

• Monitor upkeep of records and database functionality to support program documentation requirements.     
• Attend supervision, departmental, agency staff meetings, and community meetings as assigned. 
• Participate in the ongoing development of program policies and procedures and ensure programs are consistently meeting their goals and objectives in accordance with contract requirements.   
• Assist in the maintenance of filing systems, provide quarterly reports of satellite office department.  
• Perform quarterly validity checks, and develop/implement procedures relating to each program.  
• Report compliance issues to the Housing and Advocacy Manager.    
• Consistently review and update program policies and procedures in collaboration with program staff and Housing and Advocacy manager. 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED 

• BA degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in the provision of social services. 
• Minimum 1-2 years’ experience providing goal-oriented case management and advocacy. 
• Experience working with survivors of domestic violence preferred, including completion of 40-hour domestic violence training. Training will be provided for those hired who have not completed the training. 
• Bilingual English and Spanish fluency required.  
• Ability to provide culturally competent services and work with a diverse staff and clientele in an empathetic and non-judgmental manner.  
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to function as a part of a team and work in collaboration with outside agencies.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS  

• Access to a working automobile, clean DMV record, valid driver’s license, and proof of current auto insurance. 
• Successful results from a criminal background check, including fingerprint clearance.  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. 

MANDATED REPORTER STATUS  

This position is not subject to mandated reporting under California’s Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA).  Such a report, including sharing information with another employee who is a mandated reporter position without following "release of confidential information" policies is a breach of confidentiality is a violation of state and federal law and can result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.  

CORA History and Overview 

CORA has provided services to survivors of intimate partner abuse for over 40 years. Our programs include Crisis Intervention Services, including a 24-hour hotline, collaboration with law enforcement, emergency shelter options, and supportive counseling. Family Support Services provides mental health therapy, supportive/transitional housing, and a children’s program. CORA has robust legal services for survivors of domestic violence and provides educational workshops about the dynamics of domestic violence and healthy relationship skills.  

CORA is strengths-based, collaborative, accessible, and client-centered. CORA believes that everyone deserves to be treated with respect in their intimate relationships.  We provide safety, support and healing to individuals who experience abuse in an intimate relationship and educate the community to break the cycle of domestic violence. Regardless of a survivor’s race, class, gender, sexual orientation, or culture, we save lives and provide an opportunity to begin again. 

CORA inspires work of the highest caliber by fostering staff engagement through transparency and inclusion in agency decisions wherever possible. We strive to ensure our policies and communications reflect an appreciation of the impact of social inequities, historical and current, and actively promote healthy relationships amongst staff by demonstrating mutual respect in all our communications.  

CORA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We seek diversity with respect to race, color, age, sex, (including breastfeeding and medical conditions related to breastfeeding), religion (including religious dress or grooming practices), national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic characteristics and information, ancestry, marital status, family status, political belief, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression), medical condition, military, or veteran status or any other category or status protected by Federal, State or other applicable laws. 

All applicants are welcome. Individuals who are bilingual, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community and/or survivors of domestic violence are strongly encouraged to apply. The position will remain open until filled.