South King County Community Lead Advocate

Join Our Mission to Empower Survivors

Are you passionate about advocating for survivors of domestic violence? Do you believe in the power of community, equity, and survivor-centered support? DAWN is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Community Lead Advocate to make a meaningful impact in the lives of survivors throughout South King County. In this vital role, you will provide trauma-informed advocacy, navigate barriers alongside survivors, and help them build safer, more hopeful futures. If you thrive in a dynamic environment where every day presents an opportunity to create lasting change, we encourage you to apply and be part of our mission-driven team.

Position Summary:

The Community Lead Advocate provides trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and empowerment-based advocacy to survivors of domestic violence throughout the community. The CLA understands that survivors know what is best for themselves and their families and it is the role of the CLA is to help clients navigate systems and barriers in order to create a safer more hopeful future. This full-time position provides domestic violence advocacy support to the community. Sensitive to the emotions and experiences of survivors, the CLA performs crisis intervention, safety planning, resource/information, and advocacy. Advocacy can include answering the advocacy support line, 1:1 individual advocacy with adults or youth, and/or support group facilitation. CLAs meet with survivors where they feel safe throughout the community, so their time will be divided between various locations in South King County but will have some office hours at the administrative office in Kent. The CLA will serve as the first go to for other Community Advocates on client escalations. The CLA will also help support the work of the Community Advocacy Supervisor. The CLA may be required to on short notice flex schedule to accommodate for agency’s needs.

Schedule: 4/10s 8am-6pm

DAWN Team Member Qualities

We are seeking those

• Who have a passion for ending domestic violence, gender, racial, and economic inequality and for social justice, along with a commitment to DAWN’s mission, vision, values and policies/procedures.
• Who have a deep commitment to the value that survivors know what is best for themselves and their children, and an ability to suspend personal opinions to support survivors in their choices.
• Who values of diversity and a commitment to equity in our community are reflected in both the services offered to survivors as well as interactions within the team.
• Who are committed to learn, be challenged and to grow personally and professionally.
• Who conduct themselves in a professional manner with co-team members, clients, donors, and community members.
• Who has an enthusiastic attitude about working within a team environment with dedicated, hardworking, and passionate colleagues.

Lead:

• Help manage the Crisis line calendar working with the Director of Programs.
• Process all Financial Assistance requests from Community Advocates.
• Be the first point of contact for client needs and escalations.
• Assist with Quality Control for data inputting and assist with pulling report.
• Assists the Community Advocacy Supervisors with hiring and training new staff.

Advocacy:

• Listen, support, and provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered, empowerment-based advocacy for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
• Support survivors in creating safety where they feel they need it.
• Provide community advocacy by offering support, information, and connection to resources to survivors needing help with a variety of issues, including emergency shelter, housing, basic needs, legal issues, immigration, and connection to mental health, children’s services, or other specialized services as needed.
• Facilitate community support groups for survivors both remote and in person.
• Participates in outreach and education activities which may include offering training, attending community meetings, and/or outreach events.
• Develop strong relationships with service providers and acts as a liaison between clients and said providers.
• Answer the 24-hour advocacy and support line during scheduled shifts.
• Understand institutional barriers to services and support and works with outside systems and/or providers to improve the survivor’s experience navigating the system.
• Support other advocates and team members in their work through consultations, training, or providing co-advocacy, especially in the areas where the advocate may have specific expertise or experience.
• Maintain the strictest confidentiality protocols.

Outreach:

• Represent DAWN at community meetings and events when needed.
• Distribute materials throughout South King County to ensure the community and other partners are updated on services.

Administrative:

• Provides timely completion of relevant paperwork, accurately enters data into multiple databases, and maintains complete and current client files.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proven ability to work effectively with diverse staff, clients, and volunteers.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate well with people in crisis, the advocacy team, and community partners, and to communicate across cultures and with those who have limited English.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and follow-thru.
• Ability to make sound judgments relating to crisis situations.
• Ability to complete paperwork and enter information into multiple databases on time and in detail, strong time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to speak and write English proficiently (fluently).
• Physical Abilities:
• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, kneel, and twist on an intermittent basis including answering the front door.
• Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files and reach overhead.
• Physically able to walk or run if needed, climb stairs without difficulty.
• Ability to lift and carry at 50 pounds.
• Ability to work on computer for extended periods of time.

Education/Experience:

• High School/equivalent (GED), required.
• 3 years of advocacy experience, required.
• Associate Degree in social work, psychology, or similar field, preferred.
• 1-2 years of advocacy experience preferred or lived experience of domestic or gender-based violence in lieu of paid work experience will also be considered.
• Some experience with Microsoft Office products: Microsoft 365 (Teams, Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint) preferred; Database experience (Osnium) is a plus.
• Must complete DAWN’s DVI training and obtain CPR/First Aid certification within 90 days of hire.
• Must provide own transportation; possess a valid Washington State driver’s license, proof of auto insurance and a clean driving record. (However, if this is a barrier to employment and the candidate has alternative reliable means of transportation for all work-required meetings/appointments, please let the Advocacy Services Manager know)
• Must be able to pass Washington State criminal background check.

Why Join DAWN?

• Work in a diverse and inclusive team environment.
• Opportunities for professional growth and training.
• Make a meaningful impact on the lives of domestic violence survivors.
• Paid Lunch Breaks – Recharge and take care of yourself.
• 100% Employer-Paid Medical & Dental Plans – Comprehensive coverage at no cost to you.
• Quarterly Self-Care Days – Because your well-being matters, we provide dedicated time for rest and renewal.

About DAWN: DAWN is a holistic domestic violence agency located in South King County supporting survivors of domestic violence, the community, and other social services agencies towards the goal of ending domestic violence. Through our wide variety of programming, we strive to serve survivors wherever they are in their relationships, meeting their needs as they prioritize them, and working with them physically wherever they deem safe, within the South King County region. Our programs include a 24-hour advocacy support hotline, confidential emergency shelter, mobile/community advocacy, support groups, legal advocacy, immigrant advocacy, children’s advocacy, mental health services, TANF advocacy, prevention and education services, and the marketplace food program. While working with us, survivors and their families are offered advocacy, resources, and a safe place to begin again.