Position: Direct Service Advocate: Youth Focus

Hours: 40 hours/week; primarily weekdays, occasional evenings and weekends

Reports to: Co-Director of Services (Sexual Violence Programs)

Location: Advocacy Center , The Dock (Youth Drop in Center)

Compensation: $20/hour, generous paid time off, 10 paid holidays, 100% employer paid health, vision and dental insurance for employee and dependents; FSA and HSA options, retirement plan options with 3% employer match after 1-year of employment

Who is The Harbor

The Harbor is Clatsop County’s primary community-based advocacy service for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and stalking. Established in 1976 as a crisis line, our services have evolved to include a 24-hour support line and 24/7 crisis response, a drop-in advocacy center, confidential shelter, and wrap around services like support groups, legal support, and mental health services. Our services are all free and confidential. We work from a trauma-informed empowerment model, which means we believe survivors are experts in their own lives and can make the best decisions for their own lives.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage those who meet the basic requirements of the position to apply regardless of whether you meet every criterion. All persons of every race, ethnic background, spiritual belief, economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or personal ability, are equally affirmed into membership, leadership and employment at The Harbor and are joyfully welcomed.

Position Purpose

The Direct Service Advocate will provide on-site advocacy services to drop-in clients at The Harbor’s Advocacy Center. Services will reflect our mission to provide advocacy, prevention, and support to promote self-determination and hope for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking. This position has a specific focus on supporting youth and teen survivors by providing outreach, education, and support tailored to this population.

With support from the Deputy Director, the Direct Service Advocate will create and maintain a confidential, safe, and supportive space for survivors and their family members with an emphasis on Clatsop County’s youth population; providing one-on-one advocacy that may include safety planning, crisis intervention, peer support, and information and referral; connecting survivors to other social services and resources; and sharing the work of The Harbor with community members and partners. This person will offer on-going case management with survivors, providing accompaniment to other services, like court hearings and medical appointments, and assisting with youth-focused projects.

Responsibilities

• Receive continuing education and training regarding teen dating violence and best practices for working with youth
• Keep The Harbor staff updated on best practices related to supporting youth survivors and their families
• Provide once per quarter training on a topic relevant to youth advocacy
• Create and/or compile relevant resources specific to youth and teen survivors
• With The Q Center, co-facilitate an educational group for parents and caregivers of LGBTQIA youth
• Provide advocacy at schools and youth-focused events and programs
• Create and re-post educational/interactive content for The Harbor’s youth social media page a minimum of once per week
• Assist Prevention Education Coordinator with youth-focused prevention and outreach projects as assigned, including the Clatsop County Youth Advisory Coalition, prevention podcast, and orientation to The Harbor’s services at schools or other youth spaces
• Occasionally facilitate or support youth at outreach events such as tabling at Sunday Market or school fairs
• Provide advocacy to drop-in youth clients once or twice weekly during lunch hours at Tongue Point Job Corp Center (TPJCC)
• Lead Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (February) activities, outreach, social media campaign, and community awareness annually
• Serve as a visible spokesperson and advocate for The Harbor’s mission and programs by participating in local taskforces and collaborating with partner agencies to improve sexual assault response
• Provide confidential, trauma-informed, culturally responsive services to survivors that promote positive outcomes in alignment with Advocacy Program goals.
• Provide one-time and on-going case management advocacy to survivors of domestic and sexual violence with a focus on outreach to youth.
• Provide occasional on-call advocacy for in-person emergency response.
• Work with participants to develop personalized safety plans.
• Utilize standardized screening tools to connect participants with resources for shelter and housing, the Crime Victims Compensation Program, and the Address Confidentiality Program
• Maintain accurate participant files.
• Stay informed of community resources and coordinated community responses.
• Create at least one social media post related to 2SLGBTQIA intimate partner violence issues monthly
• Attend weekly required all-staff meetings
• Other tasks and projects as assigned

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Core values that align with the mission of The Harbor, including a personal and professional commitment to anti-oppression and anti-racism work
• A minimum of 1-year experience working with youth, preferably in a community or social services setting
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to project needs
• Independent, self-motivated worker
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Openness to learning new concepts, approaches, and skills
• Strong computer technology skills, including Microsoft Office programs. Ability to learn new technology systems and implement within scope of duties.
• Valid driver’s license and transportation

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in community assessment
• Experience with public speaking or presentation facilitation
• Bilingual
• 1 or more years of project management experience

Work Environment

The candidate must be able to work under tight deadlines and high-stress conditions, and should be capable of lifting at least 25 pounds, climbing stairs, kneeling, standing, walking, operating a vehicle, and moving throughout our building, shelter, partner agency locations, and other sites as needed.

As the atmosphere in a domestic violence agency can shift rapidly from stable to highly charged, all employees must remain flexible, calm, and creative.

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Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Astoria, OR: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person