Community Advocate

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

Make a Difference Supporting Survivors

Are you an experienced advocate or human services professional who is passionate about supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence?

YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish is looking for a compassionate, experienced professional to join our Gender-Based Violence Services team. In this role, you will work directly with survivors as they navigate complex systems, identify their goals, strengthen their safety and stability, and connect with housing, legal, healthcare, and community resources.

This is an opportunity for someone who understands that effective advocacy is not about making decisions for survivors. It is about listening, building trust, providing options, and supporting each person in determining what safety and stability look like for them.

Why Join YWCA?

For more than 130 years, YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish has worked to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Today, we are one of the region’s largest nonprofit human services organizations, providing housing, gender-based violence services, economic advancement programs, health and safety services, and advocacy to thousands of individuals and families each year.

Our Gender-Based Violence Services team provides trauma-informed, survivor-centered support to people impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, commercial sexual exploitation, and other forms of violence. Our advocates help survivors navigate safety planning, housing, legal systems, healthcare, and other critical resources while respecting each survivor’s individual choices, experiences, and goals.

You May Be a Great Fit If You...

You are a compassionate, skilled, and mission-driven human services professional who wants to make a meaningful difference in the lives of survivors. You have experience in advocacy, domestic violence or sexual assault services, commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) services, housing, case management, behavioral health, crisis response, or another community-based human services setting.

You are someone who:

• Builds trusting, respectful relationships with adults who have experienced trauma, violence, exploitation, or other complex circumstances.
• Understands trauma-informed, strengths-based, and survivor-centered approaches and recognizes that survivors are the experts in their own lives.
• Can partner with survivors to develop individualized plans that support their safety, stability, self-determination, and personal goals.
• Is comfortable helping people navigate complex systems and connect with housing, healthcare, legal services, public benefits, and other community resources.
• Brings sound judgment, cultural humility, empathy, and strong professional boundaries to your work.
• Can work independently while also collaborating closely with coworkers, community partners, and other service providers.
• Is comfortable working in the community and meeting survivors where services and support are needed.

Important to Know: This position is 100% onsite and includes regular travel throughout South King County to meet with clients, attend community meetings, and collaborate with partner organizations. If you enjoy being out in the community, building relationships, and providing hands-on support rather than working primarily from behind a desk, this role may be a great fit for you.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Survivor Advocacy & Client Services

• Provide trauma-informed crisis intervention, advocacy, and ongoing case management to adult survivors of commercial sexual exploitation, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
• Conduct comprehensive client intakes, assess immediate and long-term needs, and determine program eligibility.
• Develop individualized service plans that promote safety, stability, and self-determination.
• Create safety plans tailored to each survivor's circumstances and goals.
• Connect clients with housing, healthcare, behavioral health, employment, financial assistance, and other community resources.
• Complete housing assessments and coordinate emergency shelter placements when appropriate.

Systems Navigation & Legal Advocacy

• Support survivors in navigating legal and community systems, including protection orders, family law matters, lease terminations, CPS involvement, relocation assistance, and interactions with law enforcement.
• Advocate alongside clients to reduce barriers and improve access to services.
• Respond promptly to referrals, crisis calls, and requests for assistance in accordance with program standards.

Community Outreach & Partnership Development

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations, healthcare providers, legal professionals, law enforcement, and other stakeholders.
• Represent YWCA at community meetings, multidisciplinary teams, and outreach events.
• Plan and facilitate presentations and trainings to increase awareness of YWCA services.
• Participate in outreach efforts that improve access to services for survivors furthest from opportunity, particularly Black and African American survivors.

Documentation & Program Administration

• Maintain accurate, timely client records, case notes, and service documentation.
• Complete required grant reporting, statistical reporting, and program narratives.
• Ensure compliance with agency policies, funding requirements, and confidentiality standards.

Professional Development & Organizational Commitment

• Complete required domestic violence advocacy training and at least 20 hours of continuing education annually.
• Participate in YWCA's Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) and contribute to an equitable, inclusive workplace.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the program and agency mission.

QUALIFICATIONS:

We value both traditional and nontraditional paths into this work. Candidates do not need to meet every qualification through formal education alone. Relevant professional, community-based, and lived experience are valued.

Education and Experience

Candidates must meet one of the following:

• A degree in social work, human services, psychology, sociology, counseling, or a related field; or
• At least one year of direct social service, advocacy, case management, or other relevant human services experience; or
• Relevant transferable lived experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the responsibilities of this position.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Experience navigating multiple systems and helping individuals access services and resources. This may include municipal or superior courts, legal systems, law enforcement, housing, healthcare, public benefits, or other community-based systems.
• Experience working with survivors of gender-based violence from marginalized communities, with particular experience serving African American communities.
• Knowledge and understanding of gender-based violence, including sexual assault, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, commercial sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.
• Ability to provide trauma-informed, strengths-based, and survivor-centered support that promotes survivor choice, safety, stability, and self-determination.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to establish trust while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Sound judgment and the ability to respond effectively to sensitive, complex, and potentially crisis-related situations.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Cultural humility and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Calendar, Teams, and Excel, as well as virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel independently between multiple work locations and community sites throughout the workday.
• Willingness and ability to complete a minimum of 20 hours of initial training covering advocacy-based counseling, the history and dynamics of domestic violence, safety planning, and crisis intervention.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS POSITION:

The physical and work environment requirements described below are representative of those necessary to 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:

• Continuously communicates and exchanges information with clients, coworkers, community partners, service providers, and other individuals in person, by phone, and through virtual communication platforms.
• Frequently sits, stands, and walks while performing duties in YWCA locations and throughout the community.
• Continuously uses a computer, telephone, and other standard office technology and equipment.
• Occasionally accesses clients' personal living spaces, including residences within multi-level apartment buildings or other community-based settings.
• Frequently travels throughout South King County and surrounding areas to meet with clients, attend meetings, access community resources, and collaborate with partner organizations. Travel may represent up to 50% of the position's work time and requires the ability to travel independently between locations throughout the workday.

Work Environment and Trauma Exposure

YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish provides services to individuals and families who may be experiencing or have experienced trauma, including domestic violence, sexual violence, commercial sexual exploitation, homelessness, financial hardship, and other significant life challenges.

Because this position works directly with survivors of gender-based violence and other forms of trauma, employees may be exposed to sensitive or distressing information and may experience secondary or vicarious trauma. YWCA recognizes the impact this work can have on staff and encourages employees to utilize available supports, establish healthy professional boundaries, and engage in practices that support their well-being.

Continuously = more than 80% of the time | Frequently = 20–80% of the time | Occasionally = less than 20% of the time