JOB CLASS; PAY GRADE: Specialist 1/ Pay Grade 8

WAGE: Starting at $48,600 per year

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

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

REPORTS TO: Services Against Exploitation (SAE) Program Coordinator

OPENING DATE: February 29, 2024

CLOSING DATE: Open until filled.

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

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 culturally and linguistically accessible anti-human trafficking (HT) services for immigrant and refugee survivors. SAE was designed to uniquely address the additional cultural, religious, legal and language barriers faced by immigrant, refugee, indigenous and foreign-born survivors of human trafficking, which were not comprehensively served by existing resources. SAE services are open to adult survivors of labor and/or sex trafficking residing in Oregon. This Sex Trafficking Advocate position will expand SAE services to Sex Trafficking survivors of all ages living in Malheur County. 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, navigating legal immigration issues, and referrals to other IRCO programs or community resources. Secondly, SAE develops and conducts awareness and prevention education in our immigrant, refugee, and indigenous communities, to stakeholders, partner organizations, and beyond.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Bilingual SAE Sex Trafficking Advocate provides culturally responsive, wraparound case management and referral services for sex trafficking (HT) survivors in English and at least one other language, in Malheur County Oregon. 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 Sex Trafficking Advocate manages the Sexual Assault Hotline calls, 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 in Malheur County. The SAE Sex Trafficking Advocate provides outreach in our immigrant and refugee communities, to stakeholders, partner organizations, and beyond, and reports findings and results back to the Program Coordinator.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Adhere to program, agency, and federal legal policies on client confidentiality.
• Track, manage, and respond appropriately to calls that come to the Sexual Assault Hotline
• Collaborate with internal and external service providers to identify survivors affected by sex trafficking.
• Assess potential participants for eligibility, conduct intake sessions utilizing assessment and evaluation procedures and best practices, and conduct eligibility screening for other services.
• Navigate risk assessment alongside survivors and provide immediate and ongoing safety planning.
• 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, justice 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 the IRCO Efforts to Outcomes database on a weekly basis
• Perform outreach and prevention education to communities and entities about human trafficking and at events under the direction of the Program Coordinator
• Keep detailed, confidential, and accurate records of client interactions and documents on an ongoing basis.
• Perform research online to identify resources for individual client situations and contribute to the expansion of Team knowledge and resources.
• 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
• Perform other duties as assigned.

JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be linguistically competent in another language in addition to English with at least colloquial fluency in reading, writing, and speaking in both languages.
• Demonstrated skill and experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, preferably as an Advocate.
• Ability 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 be flexible to meet with clients at the office or in the community and be able to travel and work beyond designated hours on occasion for urgent client or programmatic needs.

KNOWLEDGE:

Education: High school diploma is required, some college course work welcome (2)

Experience: 1-2 years of experience in advocacy and/or at a nonprofit is required (3)

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

Additional Language Required: Fluency in a language in addition to English is 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 critical and creative thinking as client situations are varied and may require multiple strategies and novel approaches to meet individual needs (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.

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. (2)

Supervision:

Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions or responsibilities but may occasionally 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)