Community Advocate, Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Job Description

Job Description

For more than 130 years, YWCA Seattle \u007C King \u007C Snohomish has worked to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. As one of the largest nonprofit human services organizations in the region, we provide housing, gender-based violence services, economic advancement programs, health and safety initiatives, and advocacy that help thousands of individuals and families build safer, more stable futures each year.

YWCA is committed to supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, commercial sexual exploitation, and other forms of gender-based violence through trauma-informed, survivor-centered services. We work alongside individuals as they navigate safety planning, housing, legal systems, healthcare, and other critical resources while advocating for lasting change that addresses the root causes of violence and inequity. Every member of our Gender-Based Violence Services team plays an important role in helping survivors rebuild safety, stability, and hope.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

YWCA Seattle \u007C King \u007C Snohomish is seeking a compassionate, skilled, and mission-driven Community Advocate to join our Gender-Based Violence Services team. This position provides trauma-informed advocacy and comprehensive support to adult survivors of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE), domestic violence, and sexual assault.

The Community Advocate partners with survivors to increase safety, stability, and self-determination by helping them navigate complex systems, access community resources, and develop individualized plans that support their goals. This position requires excellent relationship-building skills, sound judgment, cultural humility, and a commitment to serving survivors through a strengths-based, survivor-centered approach.

Note: 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.

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:

• One year of Direct Social Service experience or translatable lived experience in lieu of a social services degree.
• Strong orientation and familiarity toward system navigating multiple systems (i.e., municipal, superior courts, legal systems, and law enforcement)
• Experience working with gender based violence survivors from marginalized communities, specifically African American communities.
• Knowledgeable about gender-based violence, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, intimate partner violence and human trafficking.
• Skilled at using Microsoft office suite including Outlook, Calendar, Teams, excel and virtual meeting technology such as ZOOM.
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to travel independently between multiple work sites within a day.
• Willingness to complete a minimum of 20 hours of initial basic training that covers: advocacy-based counseling, history of domestic violence, safety planning and crisis intervention

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS POSITION:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In performing this position, the employee:

• All positions at YWCA Seattle \u007C King \u007C Snohomish are exposed to clients who have experienced or are experiencing trauma in various forms including but not limited to domestic violence, sexual violence, homelessness, unemployment, financial hardship, etc. As a result, staff are at risk of secondary trauma. Employees are encouraged to seek external support and maintain self-care when working indirectly or directly with clients.

• Continuously exchanges information through listening and talking with clients, agency staff, employers, representatives of community organizations, and other individuals in the community
• Frequently stands, walks, sits, and climbs in performing duties in the workspace and in the community
• Continuous use of telephones, computers, fax machines, and other office equipment and supplies
• Occasionally must access personal living spaces within multi-level apartment complexes
• Frequent travel up to 50% of the time by personal vehicle

*Continuously = Over 80% of the time * Frequently = 20-80% * Occasionally = Under 20%

HOURS, RATE, & BENEFITS:

1. Hourly rate: $28.00 per hour
2. Hourly, Non-Exempt
3. Excellent benefits package including medical insurance, retirement plan, plus generous vacation, holiday and sick leave plans
4. 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

At YWCA Seattle \u007C King \u007C Snohomish, we do not just accept diversity and inclusion — we celebrate it, we support it, we live it, and we flourish in it for the benefit of our employees, the community, and our clientele.  Our vision is a healthy community transformed by racial and gender equity, where women and girls of color have equal access to opportunity, and there is social justice for ALL people.  We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.