Community Advocate

Salary Range: 28 to 28 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-hour-wage)

The Opportunity

Every survivor deserves to be heard, believed, and supported as they determine what safety and stability look like for them.

YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish is looking for a compassionate and resourceful Community Advocate specializing in Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) to join our Gender-Based Violence Services team and support survivors throughout Snohomish County.

This is meaningful, relationship-centered work. You will work directly with survivors of commercial sexual exploitation, domestic violence, and sexual assault, helping them navigate complex systems and access the resources they need to move toward greater safety, stability, and independence. One day you may be helping someone develop a safety plan or secure emergency housing; another day you may be supporting a survivor through the legal system, connecting them with healthcare or financial resources, or collaborating with community partners to remove barriers to services.

You won't be doing this work alone. You'll be part of an experienced team committed to trauma-informed, survivor-centered advocacy and to meeting people with respect, dignity, and without judgment.

Your home office will be our Lynnwood location, with regular opportunities to work throughout Snohomish County, building relationships with survivors and the community organizations that serve them.

If you are someone who builds trust easily, stays grounded when situations are complicated, knows how to connect people with resources, and believes deeply in a survivor's right to make their own choices, we would love to hear from you.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Provide support to clients in navigating various institutions (i.e. Housing, Safety Planning, support group, Trauma Informed 

Make a difference in the lives of survivors while helping strengthen access to services throughout Snohomish County.

The Community Advocate, Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) provides compassionate, trauma-informed advocacy to adult survivors of commercial sexual exploitation, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Working alongside survivors, this position helps individuals identify their goals, navigate complex systems, access critical resources, and make informed choices about their safety and future.

This is a highly relational and community-focused role. The Community Advocate may help a survivor develop a safety plan, access housing or healthcare, navigate legal or court systems, connect with financial and employment resources, or simply have a trusted advocate beside them during a difficult time. The position also builds relationships with community partners throughout Snohomish County to strengthen connections to services and reduce barriers for survivors.

We are looking for someone who brings empathy, sound judgment, resourcefulness, and the ability to build trust with people from many different backgrounds and experiences. The successful candidate will be comfortable working independently in the community while also being part of a collaborative Gender-Based Violence Services team.

This position is based at YWCA's Lynnwood office and is 100% onsite, with regular travel throughout Snohomish County to meet with survivors, attend community meetings, and collaborate with partner organizations.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Survivor Advocacy & Support

• Provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered advocacy, crisis intervention, and ongoing support to adult survivors of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE), domestic violence, and sexual assault.
• Build trusting relationships with survivors while honoring their choices, experiences, strengths, and individual goals.
• Conduct client intakes, assess immediate and longer-term needs, and determine eligibility for available services.
• Partner with survivors to develop individualized service and safety plans focused on safety, stability, and self-determination.
• Connect survivors with housing, emergency shelter, healthcare, behavioral health services, employment, financial assistance, and other community resources.
• Respond to referrals, crisis calls, and requests for advocacy in accordance with program expectations.

Systems Navigation & Legal Advocacy

• Help survivors understand and navigate complex systems, including courts, housing, healthcare, social services, law enforcement, and other community-based systems.
• Provide advocacy and support related to protection orders, family law matters, lease terminations, CPS involvement, relocation assistance, and interactions with law enforcement.
• Advocate alongside survivors to address barriers and improve access to services and resources.
• Coordinate with community providers and other professionals while maintaining survivor confidentiality and choice.

Snohomish County Outreach & Community Partnerships

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with community organizations, healthcare providers, legal professionals, law enforcement, housing providers, and other partners throughout Snohomish County.
• Represent YWCA at community meetings, multidisciplinary teams, outreach events, and other community activities.
• Develop and facilitate presentations and trainings that increase awareness of commercial sexual exploitation, gender-based violence, and available YWCA services.
• Participate in outreach that improves access to services for survivors who have historically experienced barriers to support, particularly Black and African American survivors.

Documentation & Program Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate and timely client records, case notes, service documentation, and other required program records.
• Complete required statistical reporting, grant documentation, and program narratives.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure services and documentation comply with agency policies and funding requirements.
• Complete required domestic violence advocacy training and at least 20 hours of continuing education annually.
• Actively participate in YWCA's Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) and contribute to an equitable and inclusive workplace.
• Perform other related duties in support of the program and YWCA mission.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least one year of direct social service, advocacy, case management, crisis response, community outreach, or other related experience, or relevant transferable lived experience in lieu of a social services degree.
• Experience working with or supporting individuals impacted by gender-based violence, commercial sexual exploitation, human trafficking, homelessness, or other significant barriers to safety and stability.
• Understanding of gender-based violence, including commercial sexual exploitation/human trafficking, sexual assault, domestic violence, and intimate partner violence.
• Experience working with people from marginalized communities and an ability to provide culturally responsive services, particularly to Black and African American survivors.
• Demonstrated ability to help individuals navigate complex systems such as courts, legal services, housing, healthcare, social services, and law enforcement.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to establish trust while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Ability to respond calmly and effectively to crisis situations and use sound judgment when situations are complex or rapidly changing.
• Ability to work independently in the community while collaborating effectively with a multidisciplinary team and community partners.
• Ability to maintain timely, accurate client documentation and manage multiple priorities.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Teams, Excel, and virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel independently throughout Snohomish County during the workday.
• Ability and willingness to work 100% onsite, with Lynnwood serving as the position's home office.
• Willingness to complete required advocacy training related to domestic violence, advocacy-based counseling, safety planning, and crisis intervention.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

In performing this position, the employee:

• • Regularly communicates with clients, coworkers, community partners, and other individuals in person, by phone, and through virtual technology.
  • Frequently sits, stands, walks, and moves between office, community, and client service locations throughout the workday.
  • Regularly uses computers, phones, and other standard office equipment.
  • Occasionally accesses client living spaces, including residences within multi-level apartment buildings.
  • Frequently travels throughout Snohomish County to meet with clients, attend community meetings, conduct outreach, and collaborate with partner organizations. Local travel may account for up to 50% of the position.
  • Works directly with individuals who may be experiencing or have experienced trauma, including commercial sexual exploitation, domestic violence, sexual violence, homelessness, and other significant life challenges. This work may involve exposure to emotionally difficult situations and secondary trauma.
  *Continuously = Over 80% of the time * Frequently = 20-80% * Occasionally = Under 20%

HOURS, RATE, & BENEFITS

Hourly rate: $28.00 per hour

Hourly, Non-Exempt

Excellent benefits package including medical insurance, retirement plan, plus generous vacation, holiday and sick leave plans

At the time of hire, employees may choose to voluntarily enroll in the Fidelity 403b Plan. Typically, after two years of employment, employees are eligible to participate in the YWCA Retirement Fund with 14% employer contribution