RIFS Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault (DV/SA) Co-Located Advocate 1

POSITION:                              RIFS Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault (DV/SA) Co-Located Advocate 1

JOB CLASS:                             Specialist 1/Grade 8

Salary:                                     Starting at $38,880 per year based on experience

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

LOCATIONS:                          Onsite at Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) 

                                                  Co-Located Offices Multnomah County (ODHS Southeast and Gresham Locations)

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS:              0.8 FTE; Part-Time with Benefits; Regular

NUMBER OF POSITIONS:     (1)

APPLY AT:                                www.irco.org 

STATUS:                                    Part-Time with Benefits

PROGRAM(S):                          ODHS Co-Located Advocate (CLA) / RIFS Program

SECTOR/DIVISION:                 Survivor Services/Community Safety and Wellbeing 

REQUIREMENTS:                     English required, bilingual preferred

                                                    Must possess a valid driver’s license and verification of current auto insurance and have full 

                                                    use of an automobile during work hours. 

                                                    Able to pass an extensive background check

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
The Refugee & Immigrant Family Strengthening (RIFS) program 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. These newly arrived community members did not know how or where to go for services or resources and faced additional community, religious, or language barriers to obtaining such support. RIFS was designed to be a unique, community focused program that serves immigrant and refugee survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. RIFS is comprised of a team of Advocates who help survivors with safety planning, crisis intervention, emergency and stabilized housing solutions, intensive bilingual case management, interpretation, translation services, building self-sufficiency, accessing grants or other assistance funds, legal advocacy and court accompaniment, transportation, and immigration issues. RIFS also conducts prevention education and outreach in our immigrant and refugee communities and beyond.

Position Summary
Co-Located Advocates (CLAs) assist individuals and families experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking. CLAs utilize a survivor-centered, strengths-based, empowerment model to cultivate trust, promote trauma-informed communication, and provide advocacy, direct services and support, and case management that facilitates, encourages, and assists clients to reach their goals. This position will work two days at ODHS Southeast and two days at ODHS Gresham.

Essential Functions

• Adhere to program, agency, and federal legal policies on client confidentiality.
• Implement a survivor-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed empowerment model in assisting clients to heal and attain stability as driven by their priorities and goals. 
• Work closely with Co-Located Oregon DHS staff and RIFS colleagues to assist referred clients for domestic and sexual violence and self-sufficiency support.
• Collaborate with local service providers to identify domestic and sexual violence cases and, once identified and a referral is received by IRCO, assess potential participants for eligibility, conduct intake sessions utilizing assessment and evaluation      procedures and best practices, and conduct eligibility screening for other services. 
• Navigate risk assessment alongside survivors and provide immediate and ongoing safety planning.
• Develop a case plan with each participant, provide short-term crisis intervention for participants including, but are not limited to, emergency shelters and motels; support for long term housing stability; assistance with restraining orders and stalking orders; mental health services; securing employment; and referrals for other relevant services. 
• Assist participants in navigating and accessing appropriate services and follow through on referrals.
• Advocate and coordinate with service providers, attorneys, law enforcement, the legal system, other advocates, and RIFS management to serve the needs of clients.
• Access family legal services and obtain protective orders (restraining orders or stalking orders) for participants when necessary.
• Make referrals to legal immigration services; assist participants in gathering documents and evidence, write letters of support when requested, and obtain clearance from law enforcement.
• Provide or secure interpretation, translation, and accessibility services.
• Maintain confidential participant files including records of intakes, and all contacts and referrals. 
• Complete data entry, case notes, client file updates, weekly and monthly reports, and all other program/IRCO administrative tasks within given timelines
• Perform outreach and educational activities with local service providers and provide DVSA training to ODHS staff
• Actively participate in relevant network meetings, regular internal IRCO meetings, and community engagement events and presentations
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Secondary Functions

• Ability to meet multiple, including conflicting deadlines
• Ability to deal with distressed and demanding clients and employees in an effective manner
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Ability to communicate with a variety of personality types and levels of the organization as well as with people outside of the organization
• Ability to work flexible hours to meet the availability of clients

Education & Experience

MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: High school diploma is required, some college course work preferred

Experience: Experience in advocacy and/or at a nonprofit is required

Certification: 40 hours Domestic Violence Advocate Certification within 10 working days of hire

Fluency in English

Computers: All positions at IRCO require use of a computer and experience working with Microsoft products such as Microsoft 365, Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint

Must be flexible and able to travel and work at ODHS, IRCO offices, and to meet clients in the community

Basic knowledge of laws of confidentiality, disclosures, and release of information.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Strong analytical, problem-solving skills

Strong skills in community focused, interpersonal, and organizational communication

Communicate effectively in a positive manner verbally, in writing, and by phone

Strong communication skills in a multilingual, multi-background team and organization

Fluency in another language

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

Requires minimal physical effort such as light lifting, carrying or movement. Physical capability involves use of office equipment where some agility and hand eye coordination is needed

There is a regular need for assessment of risk, analysis of options and decisions without complete information

The environment contains hazards or obstacles on a regular basis. Working conditions include regular interactions with hostile individuals, gangs, victims of abuse, and individual safety plans are created. 

The schedule is mostly stable and does not fluctuate without prior notice.

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 packages to our staff:

• Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
• Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
• Work that helps your community 
• 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year 
• 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting 
• 3% match for student loans or college savings 
• 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no      deductibles
• Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance 
• Flexible spending accounts

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

1. Complete the IRCO application in our Careers Portal: IRCO Application for Employment.  
2. Upload your resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position IRCO Careers.  
3. For questions about this position, please email [email protected]

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.