Job description

Pay Range $19.95 - $27.74 an hour

Who we are looking for: The ideal candidate will be mission-driven with a desire to make a difference for families and communities served by LCS Northwest.

The Role: The Victim Advocate – Housing Stability provides support, advocacy, and crisis intervention for people who are primary and/or secondary victims of crime per Crime Victim Service Center (CVSC) standards for service delivery. This role will focus on developing, coordinating and facilitating outreach efforts and housing stability support. In addition to support and advocacy, CVAP Victim Advocates provide resource navigation, crisis intervention, information/referral and more for people who are primary and/or secondary victims of a broad range of crimes (reported or not), with a focus specifically on victimization in refugee, immigrant and other BIPOC communities disproportionately impacted by crime and the criminal justice system. The Victim Advocate role is also responsible for developing, coordinating and facilitating outreach efforts. The Victim Advocate – Housing Stability is more specifically responsible for providing direct service or outreach focused on housing stability after victimization.

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide Crime Victim Advocacy services through the Portland Crime Victim Advocacy program, serving Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington Counties
• Focus outreach and advocacy support on harmed parties who are having housing instability due to victimization
• Assess needs of people who have been victimized by a broad range of crimes and provide appropriate advocacy, support and/or referral, specifically to provide housing stabilization
• Provide crisis intervention as needed, in and out of facility, to people who are primary or secondary victims of crime
• Assist in development and implementation of culturally competent outreach plans intended to improve access of foreign born communities or for whom English is a second language
• Develop strategies around outreach for victims of crime included in state and national victim service standards.
• Maintain strong resource network and partnerships within LCS and with external organizations in support of clients
• Develop relationships with community providers in order to facilitate better collaboration for service delivery, especially with providers in underserved, ethnic communities
• Maintain compliance with program requirements, dictates of legal system, accreditation standards and any other requirements in support of service delivery
• Collaborate with program team in system coordination, including needs assessments, program planning, and collaboration with relevant agencies
• Provide education to various individuals and agencies regarding victims of other crimes
• Maintain knowledge of community resources, especially those in underserved, culturally specific communities
• Demonstrate understanding of CVAP core values
• Model and encourage direct, professional communication among staff members and facilitate development of a positive staff support network
• Demonstrate awareness and sensitivity in the delivery of client services as it relates to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the populations served; provide culturally appropriate services with emphasis on empowerment and sensitivity to the needs of BIPOC/refugee/immigrant populations
• CVAP Program Core Values
• Key values that drive our work include:
• Equity and Inclusion: By offering BIPOC communities access to information and support, CVAP empowers survivors’ agency and choice in how they manage victimization. In addition, these experiences are elevated within a wider community of service providers and systems, raising awareness about what is happening in BIPOC communities;
• Community Resilience: Our advocacy empowers refugees and immigrants to feel safe in their community, engage with their neighbors and connect to existing networks and systems of support;
• Recovery, Healing and Health: When people are in a state of fear or shock, their overall health is impacted. Our program focuses on empowering refugees and immigrants to have tools needed to heal and recover from victimization and feel safer in their communities and ultimately heal from the trauma they have experienced, and;
• Sanctuary Space: We offer free support and advocacy services to anyone who has been hurt by crime, regardless of if it was reported to law enforcement or is being prosecuted. Many victims feel targeted and alienated, and victim advocacy offers support, information and referral to resources and specific wrap-around support so people can make informed and empowered decisions.

Education And/ Or Experience: Bachelor’s degree in related field is preferred; equivalent demonstrated/lived experience will be considered. Completion of 40 hour Crime Victim Core Training prior to meeting with clients. Minimum one year of experience providing advocacy to victims or experience in social work, mental health counseling, and/or crisis intervention or equivalent related work. Lived experience by people from communities disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system is highly valued and will be factored in when evaluating experience level.

Language Skills: Ability to analyze, read, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, professionals, and the general public. Must have excellent communication skills with the ability to read, write, and speak in English. Bilingual and Bicultural candidates preferred (Spanish, Arabic, Dari, Russian Ukrainian, French, Kinyarwanda, Swahili, Kirundi).

Other Skills, Abilities and Qualifications: Experience in providing advocacy, as well as familiarity with and understanding of community resources available to assist the client population being served. Ability to transport yourself or to be transported to appointments throughout the Clark/Multnomah County area. Must possess a valid driver’s license and valid automobile insurance; access to a vehicle for transportation is also required. Must be cleared through a criminal background clearance to work with children and vulnerable adults. Scheduling flexibility and availability to work around the needs of the program and clients is required. Ability to work well under pressure and work effectively in a multicultural setting.
To Apply: Visit our Careers page on www.lcsnw.org. Find this listing and click “Apply Now.”
LUTHERAN COMMUNITY SERVICES NORTHWEST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND COMMITTED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCY.

LUTHERAN COMMUNITY SERVICES NORTHWEST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND COMMITTED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCY.

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