Domestic Violence (DV) Advocate 1

Job Type

Full-time

Description

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Find out more at www.irco.org .

POSITION : Domestic Violence (DV) Advocate 1

JOB CLASS / GRADE : Specialist 1 / Grade 8

WAGE : Starting at $48,600 per year based on experience

FLSA; EEO; WC : Non-Exempt; Professional; 8864

LOCATIONS : Gateway Community Center and various hospital locations; On-Site

IRCO Main Office, 10301 NE Glisan St Portland OR 97220; Hybrid schedule

FTE; FT / PT; STATUS : 1.0 FTE; Full-Time with Benefits; Regular

NUMBER OF POSITIONS : (1)

APPLY AT : www.irco.org

STATUS : Full-Time with Benefits

PROGRAM(S) : Gateway Navigator / Refugee & Immigrant Family Strengthening (RIFS) program

SECTOR : Survivor Services

REQUIREMENTS :

Able to pass an extensive background check

Must possess a valid driver's license and verification of current auto-insurance, and have full use of automobile during work hours

This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Program Summary

IRCO's Survivor Services department consists of its Refugee & Immigrant Family Strengthening (RIFS) program, which works with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking (DVSA) together with its Services Against Exploitation (SAE) program, which works with survivors of human trafficking (HT) both sex and labor.

RIFS was launched by IRCO in 1998 in response to the large volume of immigrants and refugees coming to the Tri-County area who were survivors of abuse. IRCO started the SAE program in 2018 to improve coordination among existing anti-human trafficking (HT) agencies and to offer community responsive survivor support. Although open to all survivors of all backgrounds, both RIFS and SAE understands the community traditions, religious, legal, and language barriers faced by immigrant, refugee, and foreign-born survivors of DVSA / HT. RIFS and SAE are comprised of teams of Advocates who help survivors with safety planning and crisis intervention; emergency and stabilized housing solutions; intensive bilingual advocacy and case management; interpretation and translation services; strengthening self-sufficiency; linkages to education and employment opportunities; assistance with accessing grants or other community resources; legal advocacy and court accompaniment; transportation; and navigating immigration issues. Survivor Services also develops and conducts awareness education and outreach in our immigrant and refugee communities, with stakeholders and partner organizations, and beyond.

Position Summary

The Gateway Center is a high-volume entry point for the continuum of domestic and sexual violence services in Multnomah County. Domestic Violence Advocates, also known as Gateway Navigators, are required to provide intake and advocacy services for survivors seeking help from the Gateway Center. Navigators must be prepared to work with multiple survivors every day.

Navigation is difficult; navigators will be exposed to crisis and trauma every day they are working at the Gateway Center. No one advocate may navigate for more than 3 days a week, unless an exception is specifically requested and agreed to by all parties. This is to prevent burn-out and harm to the navigators.

Navigation can be fast-paced and can require managing multiple tasks and expectations at the same time. Navigators should not be assigned or schedule home-agency tasks on Navigation days, as this can interfere with the advocate's ability to navigate. Navigators interface with various members of the Gateway Center Intake Team on and off all day while they are navigating. They must be responsive, transparent, and communicative. Advocates assigned as navigators should enjoy working on a team and enjoy face-paced work.

Navigators will become trained on the following practices :

• Crisis and safety planning
• Facilitation of restraining order applications and other civil legal services
• Safety Stabilization Assessment
• Lethality assessment (clear understanding of red flags for high danger)
• Overall understanding of local social services delivery systems and public safety accountability systems including, but not limited to, the Department of Human Services Self Sufficiency, law enforcement and prosecution, and court systems.

The Gateway Center Intake Team will provide training on all Gateway Center related procedures and practices. Essentially, advocates assigned to the Navigator role will come as trained advocates with solid advocacy skills. The Gateway Center will provide all the training that is specific to the Navigator Role.

Unified Response is composed of six organizations who provide confidential advocacy to survivors at Sexual Assault Nurse Exams (SANE) and strangulation exams at various hospital and mental health sites. Unified Response advocates provide emotional support, trauma-informed next steps, survivor-centered options, and act as a liaison between various systems. Unified Response currently responds within Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties.

This position will work 14 hours as a Gateway Navigator (split between two days), and 26 hours as a Unified Response advocate.

Essential Functions

Gateway Navigator (0.35 FTE)

Supporting Participants and Survivors

Participant Files and Data collection

Unified Response Advocate (0.65 FTE)

Supporting Participants and Survivors

Participant Files and Data collection

Working as a Team Member :

Secondary Functions

Requirements

Education & Experience

MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS :

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

Supervisory Responsibilities

Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions, or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and / or train new employees or volunteers.

What We Offer

IRCO is a very employee-friendly workplace and offers great benefit package to our staff :

Required Engagement

Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO's mission, vision, and values-based initiatives.

How To Apply

Please note that physical applications are accessible from IRCO's main office, 10301 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97220. Due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to contact applicants or return calls regarding applications. Complete applications should include a cover letter, resume, and IRCO application.

IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by State and Federal law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.

Salary Description

Starting at $48,600 per year based on experience