WAGE: Starting at $52,488 per year.

STATUS: Full Time with Benefits

REPORTS TO: RIFS Housing Stabilization & PSH Coordinator

OPENING DATE: March 20, 2024

CLOSING DATE: Open until filled; reviewing applications upon receipt.

PROGRAM(S): Community Safety & Wellbeing Division/Survivor Services Sector/Refugee & Immigrant Family Strengthening (RIFS)/Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program.

REQUIREMENTS: English required, bilingual/bicultural preferred. Must be able to pass extensive Background Check. Driving, use of a car during business hours, and proof of auto insurance 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. Applicants whose work incorporates a global perspective and a demonstrated commitment to issues of diversity are particularly encouraged to apply.

PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Refugee & Immigrant Family Strengthening (RIFS) program was launched by IRCO in 1998 in response to the large volume of immigrants and refugees coming to the Tri-County area who were survivors of abuse. These newly arrived community members did not know how or where to go for services or resources and faced additional cultural, religious, or language barriers to obtaining such support. RIFS was designed to be a unique, culturally specific program that serves immigrant and refugee survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. RIFS is comprised of a team of Advocates who help survivors with safety planning, crisis intervention, emergency and stabilized housing solutions, intensive bilingual/bicultural case management, interpretation, and translation services, building self-sufficiency, accessing grants or other assistance funds, legal advocacy and court accompaniment, transportation, and immigration issues. RIFS also conducts prevention education and outreach in our immigrant and refugee communities and beyond.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Housing Advocate II for RIFS’ Emergency Housing Voucher program is responsible for delivery of housing-related support and services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking (DVSA/HT). This role provides case management and resource connection to survivors in RIFS’ Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program. The DV Housing Advocate utilizes a survivor-centered, strengths-based, empowerment model to cultivate trust, establish and promote trauma-informed communication, and provide advocacy, direct services and support, and case management that facilitates, encourages, and assists clients to reach their goals. The DVHA Housing Advocate II utilizes their experience in the sector to enhance and improve RIFS programming, facilitates working groups, and is sometimes called upon to mentor less experienced staff members (Advocates I).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

CASE MANAGEMENT:

• Collaborate with Multnomah County Joint Office, Home Forward, and partner agencies to support participants that are referred to RIFS’ Emergency Housing Voucher program.
• Conduct eligibility screening, barrier and needs assessment, and referral to appropriate services/agencies as necessary, ensuring accuracy.
• Coordinate closely with Home Forward case managers to support and advocate for participants moving through the process of attaining housing.
• Provide trauma-informed advocacy throughout referral process and transition into the housing program from internal and external direct service providers.
• Work with up to 30 clients; collaboratively develop plans for safety, health and wellness, immigration and legal services, employment and educational placements, and other appropriate services as driven by survivor priorities and goals.
• Assist participants in obtaining basic essential household items to set up their new rentals, while abiding by program procedures, budgets, and financial processes.
• Provide or secure interpretation, translation, and accessibility services.

HOUSING & FINANCIAL EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT:

• Continuously contribute to RIFS Housing Team’s network resource of new and existing private landlords, property managers, and other housing options to ensure proper housing for survivors.
• Identify prospective safe affordable housing sites and establish relationships with landlords and property managers.
• Partner with survivors in barrier reduction, locate housing, support move in, and engage in housing mediation and/or advocacy as necessary.
• Facilitate linkages with educational and employment programs within and outside of IRCO.
• Encourage financial empowerment, support participants to increase income and connect with other financial resources, including pursuing child support, TANF, Social Security benefits, Victim Compensation, etc.

GENERAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION:

• Adhere to program, agency, and federal legal policies on client confidentiality.
• Maintain confidential client files of service provision, complete data entry in ETO and Comp Site databases, client expense tracking, and all other administrative tasks within given timelines.
• Comply with EHV contract guidelines.
• Attend collaborative housing related meetings with partner agencies.
• Participate and contribute to RIFS all staff meetings, retreats, and trainings.
• Contribute to program standard operating procedures.
• Participate in outreach and educational activities within immigrant and refugee communities.
• Perform other duties as specified by the Housing Coordinator and/or Program Manager.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in the following areas: violence/human trafficking, housing advocacy, and direct services, especially within immigrant, refugee and BIPOC communities.
• Bachelor’s degree or some college course work preferred; High school diploma required.
• Experience or knowledge on how Service Providers and Housing Authorities operate.
• Completion of the 40-hour Oregon Domestic Violence Certified Advocate training, with additional relevant training on topics specific to survivors within 10 business days of hire.
• Knowledge about the impacts of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking and its intersections with poverty and homelessness.
• Knowledge of laws of confidentiality, disclosures, and release of information.
• Training and understanding of Trauma-Informed Care, and ability to develop healthy boundaries with clients.
• Strong cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Fluency and ability to fulfill all services in English required, and fluency in another language preferred but not required (priority languages include Vietnamese, Somali, Ukrainian, Rohingya, and Arabic).
• Demonstrated skill and experience working directly with diverse communities (race, ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, education, religion, age, class, etc.).
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with stakeholders, colleagues, and community members.
• An effective and compassionate communicator, both verbally and in writing, with excellent active listening skills to identify the needs and goals of our participants.
• Ability to be self-directed and multitask effectively; be flexible, prioritize daily workload, and operate calmly amidst stressful circumstances.
• Analytical, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to pass a background check.

KNOWLEDGE:

Education: Associate degree (3); lived experience and transferrable skills can offset the education requirement.

Experience: 1-2 years of experience is required (3)

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

Additional Language: Fluency and ability to fulfill all services in English required, along with at least one other language preferred but not required (priority languages include Vietnamese, Somali, Ukrainian, Rohingya, and Arabic).

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:

Regular communication inside and outside the organization to exchange ideas and gather information (5)

Creativity:

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

EFFORT:

Mental:

There is a regular need for assessment of risk, analysis of options and decisions without complete information (5)

Physical:

Positions at this level require minimal physical effort such as light lifting, carrying or movement, etc. Physical capability involves use of office or equipment where some agility and hand eye coordination are needed (2).

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 taking action 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 consider own work and work of others. Planning processes will include determination of issues or obstacles and preferred courses of action. Ability to forecast for the near future (six to twelve months) is required (3)

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 customer 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 Resume 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.