Join a passionate, dynamic team dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

For over 100 years, YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley has provided programs and services that form a critical continuum of response, healing, and prevention. Our dedication to the people we serve is unparalleled. We have an exciting future, and the team to deliver on that lasting change for the people we serve. To encourage survivor self-determination, services are delivered through a strengths-based, non-judgmental, and trauma-informed lens that aligns with our mission. Be a key part of shaping this future as our new Emergency Housing Support Specialist in our Housing Department.

Reporting to the Emergency Housing Program Manager, the Emergency Housing Support Specialistprovides follow-up, needs assessments and screenings, as well as community referrals, resources, and information to individuals and families in the Emergency Housing Program. The emergency support specialist coordinates emergency support services for survivors of gender-based violence who are in Emergency Housing’s motel program. The Emergency Housing Support Specialist will support activities related to the emergency housing program, including but not limited to, the distribution of food and supplies to all program enrollees, coordination of client needs at scattered site and site-based locations, direct advocacy, and client follow-up.

We are seeking a compassionate, organized, and reliable individual with a high level of self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Essential to this role is a demonstrated ability to work with culturally and economically diverse individuals and families and the ability to work with those impacted by trauma; a demonstrated ability to function effectively in a fast-paced environment and to respond appropriately to unexpected situations.

Candidates must have excellent interpersonal skills to work independently and as part of a team. You must have an understanding of feminism and a strong commitment to social justice. Additionally, an ideal candidate will possess knowledge of and sensitivity to domestic violence and sexual assault issues, trauma, gender equity, and client-centered service provision.

Candidates must have a Bachelor’s Degree in a social services field or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Key to success is the ability to be present in a changing work environment; the ability to work independently and as a member of a diverse team with flexibility, initiative, and a sense of humor; and the ability to prioritize effectively and model healthy boundaries with empathy and compassion. Candidates should be competent in using Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and have experience in confidential data management and record keeping.

The ideal candidate has a minimum of two years of experience working in social services or with strong knowledge of Santa Clara County community resources. Knowledge of and sensitivity to gender-based violence issues, trauma, gender equity, and/or other forms of oppression. Excellent formal and informal written communication skills. Ability to exhibit warmth, empathy, and supportiveness to people, especially when they are experiencing a trauma response or hostility. Ability to work with culturally and socio-economically diverse populations. Committed to direct, open, and non-violent communication. Ability to work with a high-performing team and also independently.

Prior advocacy-based counseling and case management experience is a plus. The ideal candidate is a warm, self-starter deeply committed to providing services from a strengths-based, social justice and anti-oppression framework. Bilingual, bi-cultural, and bi-literate skills are required (Spanish, Mandarin, or Vietnamese strongly preferred).

Must be able to work weekends and evening hours. Schedule TBD. This position is in person and the office. Candidate must live within the required services area and have reliable transportation to meet with clients. Delivery of service may include overtime to accomplish the task at hand. Work includes lifting up to 30 pounds. Susceptible to compassion fatigue and/or vicarious trauma.

Required: Cleared background check (fingerprinting), valid TB test, valid 3 years California driver’s license, auto insurance, and a clean driving record. Must have completed or be willing to complete a 75-hour California State Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Counselor certification. (Training will be provided). This position requires a Covid-19 vaccination due to the in-person interfacing required, and to promote the health and safety of others in the workplace and our community.

YWCA BENEFITS:

• A competitive benefits plan: Employer covers employee’s premium for health, dental, vision, and life insurance (depending on the plan you choose)
• A high deductible medical plan available including employer contributions and optional employee contributions and a limited Flexible Spending Account available
• 15 paid holidays are made available each year: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Women’s International Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, Veteran Day, Thanksgiving, and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• 20 days of annual accrued PTO to start
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Talkspace for employees and their household members
• Immediate Employee contributed 403b, and an Employer Contributed 401a Retirement Plan with optional employee contributions after eligibility is met
• Parental leave for eligible employees for up to the first eight weeks
• Annual Retention Bonus
• Employee Discounts with TicketsatWork
• Free Access to the Calm App
• With access through Kaiser for the Ginger App and Class Pass

TO APPLY: Submit Resume & Cover Letter to hr@yourywca.org with “Emergency Support Specialist” in the subject line. Posting will continue until position is filled. The YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We may be unable to respond to every individual submission due to a high volume of applicants. Please do not telephone.