WARN Mental Health Advocate

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

This position is represented by the OPEIU union and subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement.  

IRC opened an office in Seattle in 1976 and provides a continuum of services including intensive case management, employment and economic empowerment services, immigration assistance, health and wellness programming, and education support to refugee and immigrant families in Washington State. IRC Seattle is committed to providing trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services and maintaining and evolving a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

Job Overview: 

The Mental Health Advocate supports the mental health and resilience of survivors of trafficking through the WARN program, providing one-on-one peer support, referrals, and group-based services. This client-facing role includes one on one support, offering psychoeducation and skill-building workshops, and facilitating MHPSS groups. The Mental Health Advocate also coordinates program logistics, recruit participants, documents services, and supports evaluation through data collection. Additionally, they connect clients to appropriate mental health resources, assist with care coordination, and collaborate with supervisors to provide crisis support as needed.

Major Responsibilities: 

Client Engagement & Support 

• Provide Psychosocial support including manualized interventions to clients. (Training in interventions will be provided.) 

• Develop individualized action plans with clearly defined goals and activities based on assessment findings.

• With support from supervisor, provide health navigation services through referrals for clients requiring higher levels of mental health care to culturally and linguistically appropriate providers.

• Support crisis assessment and intervention for program participants in collaboration with supervisor.

• Represent the WARN Mental Health program at external and internal outreach events.

Program Facilitation

• Facilitate psychosocial group programs, ensuring alignment with contract guidelines.

• Facilitate psychoeducation and skill-building group sessions using evidence-based approaches under supervision.

• Recruit and enroll participants for WARN programs.

• Plan and organize logistics for WARN programs, including scheduling, transportation, materials, and space coordination.

Monitoring & Evaluation 

• Prepare and administer Participant Service Reports with guidance from supervisor.

• Document client interactions and program activities through detailed case notes and data entry.

• Assist in evaluating current services and identifying opportunities for new program offerings.

• Use IRC software to document client information and other program materials.

Administrative & Team Support 

• Attend and actively participate in team meetings, staff meetings, and relevant IRC trainings and conference calls.

• Collaborate with supervisor and team members to ensure program quality and compliance.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the success of WARN programming.

Key Working Relationships: 

Position Reports to: MHPSS Program Manager

Indirect Reporting: Clinical Services Supervisor

Position Supervises: N/A

Other Internal and/or external contacts: 

Internal: WARN Team, Family Wellness Team, Resettlement Team, Employment Team, Immigration Team, Youth Program Team, New Roots Team, Health Empowerment Team, Volunteer Coordinator, Finance Team, Operations Team, Development Team.

External: API Chaya, REST, KIND, Northwest Justice Project, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Seattle Police Department, US Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Washington Advisory Committee on Trafficking, City of Seattle Human Services Division, Washington State Office for Crime Victim Advocacy, Washington State Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons, and additional partners. 

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant social services field (i.e., social work, human development, psychology) or equivalent professional and/or lived experience with social work, social service provision, psychosocial support, mental health, and community engagement.

• Lived experience as a refugee or immigrant is preferred. However, in lieu of lived experience, experience working with refugees and/or immigrants; cross-cultural or overseas experience accepted.

• Understanding of the systems that intersect with migration and resettlement. 

• Understanding of social service system.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 

• Fluency in English and Spanish or other relevant language(s) 

• Strong intercultural communication skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

• Strong computer, keyboard, email, and general office skills. 

• Current driver’s license and valid insurance.

Working Environment:  

• Standard, professional office environment (flexible remote and in-office)

• Access to a reliable transportation to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area

• Position may involve evening and weekend work and travel

Compensation: (Pay Rate: $28-$31/hr). Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements. 

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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Benefits: IRC offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Highlights include 10 paid sick leave, 10 U.S. holidays, 20-25 generous paid time off based on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163/month, dental starting at $6.50/month, and vision starting at $5/month, flexible spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care, and commuter), a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match (immediate vesting) along with a non-elective employer contribution based on age and years of service (3-year vesting), disability and life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.