Description

WAGE: Starting at $52,488 per year

LOCATION: Hybrid/Must be able to work at the Portland, Oregon office two times per week.

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS: 1.0 FTE; Full-Time with Benefits; Regular

FLSA; EEO; WC:Non-exempt; Administrative Support Workers; 8864

PROGRAM(S): Services Against Exploitation (SAE) Survivor Services

REPORTS TO:SAE Program Coordinator

OPENING DATE: April 12, 2023

CLOSING DATE:Open until filled.

LANGUAGE:Bilingual fluency in English and at least one other language is required.

REQUIREMENTS: Driving and proof of auto insurance required. Must be able to pass extensive Background Check.

OPENING STATEMENT:

IRCO is deeply committed to a community of excellence, equity, and diversity and welcomes applications from women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, sexual minority groups, and other candidates who will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are core values of IRCO. We believe that our organization is enhanced when diverse groups of people with diverse ideas come together to learn. Applicants whose work incorporates a global perspective and a demonstrated commitment to issues of diversity are particularly encouraged to apply.

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

IRCO launched Services Against Exploitation (SAE) in response to a lack of coordination among pre-existing anti-human trafficking (HT) agencies and a need for culturally responsive survivor support. SAE was designed to uniquely address the additional

cultural, religious, legal and language barriers faced by immigrant, refugee, and foreign-born survivors of human trafficking, which were not comprehensively served by existing resources. A team of Advocates provide survivors with safety planning, crisis intervention, emergency and stabilized housing solutions, intensive bilingual/bicultural case management, interpretation and translation services, access to grants and other assistance funds, legal advocacy and court accompaniment, transportation, navigating legal immigration issues, and referrals to other IRCO programs or community resources. Secondly, SAE develops and conducts awareness education and outreach in our immigrant and refugee communities, to stakeholders, partner organizations, and beyond. Finally, in response to an industry-wide need for improved coordination, SAE aims to gather research to inform the formation of a taskforce that will convene relevant actors and service providers.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Bilingual SAE Advocate II position provides culturally responsive, wraparound case management and referral services for human trafficking (HT) survivors and mentorship to new advocates. This position promotes trust, communication, support, and coordination among SAE participants, other service providers, law enforcement (when required), and the legal and immigration systems. The Advocate performs intake and assessments and engages clients in developing individualized service plans tailored to each client’s needs. They engage clients in ongoing safety planning, crisis intervention, intensive case management, and assistance with resources needed to promote safety, security, and healing, while providing needed interpretation and/or other accessibility services. The SAE Advocate provides outreach in our immigrant and refugee communities, to stakeholders, partner organizations, and beyond, and reports findings and results back to the coordinator and/or Manager.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Adhere to program, agency, and federal legal policies on client confidentiality.
• Take an active leadership role in collaborating with internal and external service providers to identify survivors and cases affected by trafficking.
• Assess potential participants for eligibility, conduct intake sessions utilizing assessment and evaluation procedures and best practices, and conduct eligibility screening for other services. Mentor and help onboard new hires and other advocates.
• Navigate risk assessment alongside survivors and provide immediate and ongoing safety planning that is client centered, trauma informed, and confidential.
• Develop a case management plan for each survivor, including in-house and partner services, such as emergency shelter and motels, medical and mental health services, employment and training services, substance use services, and longer-term stabilization support, etc.
• Assist clients in navigating and accessing appropriate services and follow through on referrals.
• Implement a survivor-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed empowerment model in assisting clients to heal and attain stability as driven by their priorities and goals.
• Advocate and coordinate with service providers, attorneys, law enforcement, the legal system, other Advocates, and the RIFS and SAE Coordinators to serve the needs of clients.
• Provide/secure interpretation, translation, and accessibility services.
• Maintain confidential client files including records of intakes, assessments, case management, plans, monitoring data of service provision, and all contacts and referrals.
• Update client information in Efforts to Outcomes database on a weekly basis.
• Take leadership on outreach efforts and education to communities about human trafficking in rural areas in consultation with Coordinator.
• Offer consultation, support, and technical assistance to service providers regarding the effects of human trafficking and culturally and linguistically responsive strategies to support survivors.
• Complete all data entry, case notes, client file updates, reports, and all other program/IRCO administrative tasks within given timelines.
• Actively participate in relevant network and advisory council meetings, regular internal IRCO meetings, and community engagement events and presentations
• Engage in training opportunities available to advocates to increase knowledge, skills, and understanding of human trafficking.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with racially and culturally diverse human trafficking survivors and/or providing direct social services to high trauma populations, preferably as an Advocate in the Human Trafficking sector
• Demonstrated skill and experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability and willingness to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with stakeholders, colleagues, and community members.
• Must complete the 40-hour State of Oregon Domestic Violence and Advocacy training, with additional relevant training on topics specific to survivors of human trafficking within 10 days of hire.
• Must be an effective and compassionate communicator, both verbally and in writing, and must have excellent active listening skills to identify the needs of our clients.
• Must have training and understanding of Trauma-Informed Care
• Ability to meet multiple, sometimes conflicting deadlines.
• Must have analytical, problem solving and decision-making abilities.
• Capability to successfully respond to situations of pressure involving individual circumstances balanced against organizational policies and program goals.
• Must be able to respond to demanding clients in a timely and effective manner.
• Must have knowledge of laws of confidentiality, disclosures, and release of information.
• Must be flexible and able to travel and work beyond designated hours and weekends without advance notice on occasion for urgent client or programmatic needs.

KNOWLEDGE:

Education: Some college course work required; bachelor’s degree is highly preferred. Work experience may substitute (2)

Experience: 2 years of experience in human trafficking advocacy and/or social services advocacy or case management (3)

Certification: 40 hours Domestic Violence Advocate Certification completion within 10 working days of hire

Additional Language Required: Fluency in English and at least one other language required.

Computers: All positions at IRCO require use of a computer and experience working with Microsoft products such as Microsoft 365, Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

SKILLS:

Communication:

This position frequently communicates with survivors, and internal and external service providers. Must be able to exchange accurate and detailed information in these situations. (3)

Creativity:

Regular need for redesign of a single focus process or procedure is needed (3)

EFFORT:

Mental:

There is an occasional need to assess risk as well as to make determinations about tasks and deadlines (4)

Physical:

Positions at this level require minimal physical effort such as light moving of items, carrying or movement, etc. The person in this position may need to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. when our staff return to the office. (2). 

Must be able to remain in a stationary position i.e., working on a laptop ~80% of the time. Constantly operates a computer and cell phone.

Emotional:

Advocacy work at this level requires working with vulnerable community members who are often in crisis.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Impact and Influence:

Positions at this level have some need or ability to analyze problem or concepts or make decisions on the information. Positions at this level have some impact to and influence on organization operations, programs, expense, or budgetary outcomes. (3)

Work Independence:

Positions at this level are expected to handle regularly assigned work which includes making decisions and acting under limited supervision. New or unusual work is performed with a moderate degree of supervision, assistance, and review. (3)

Planning:

Positions at this level must be able to foresee issues associated with own work and identify future needs for supplies, equipment, resources which would stall operations or activities.

Supervision:

Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions or responsibilities but may be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers. (1)

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Environment:

There is some personal risk or hazard. Job conditions are somewhat uncomfortable due to varying work environments; outside job tasks; inclement weather; exposure to chemicals; electricity; or individuals of unpredictable, possibly harmful intent (4)

Schedule:

The work schedule occasionally fluctuates based on organization or client needs. This fluctuation may occur with or without prior notice. (3)

HOW TO APPLY:

1. Complete the IRCO application in our Careers Portal: IRCO Application for Employment.

2. Upload your resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position www.irco.org.

3. Email jobs@irco.org with questions about this position.

Please note that physical applications are accessible from IRCO’s main office, 10301 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97220. Due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to contact applicants or return calls regarding applications. Applications without both a cover letter and application will be dismissed as incomplete.

ABOUT IRCO:

IRCO's mission is to welcome, serve, and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Our vision is a future where all refugees and immigrants belong, our staff are nurtured, and all communities thrive.

Founded in 1976 by refugees for refugees, IRCO has over 40 years of experience working with refugee and immigrant communities in the Portland metropolitan area, and over five years in Eastern Oregon. IRCO is the largest provider of employment services and job training for newly arrived refugees in Oregon; and we support families at every stage of their lives from the time they arrive in Oregon. Find out more at www.irco.org.