Advocate

• Full Time/Non-Exempt: 36-hours a week
• Schedule: Must be able to work flexible schedule, to be adjusted as necessary to meet program needs within 36 hours weekly or per week.
• $40,000 annually
  
  

Description

The Bridge is in search of an Advocate who will provide mobile support and advocacy to survivors of domestic and sexual violence connecting them with community resources to enable survivors to overcome barriers to safety and self-sufficiency. The Advocate will provide case-management services, conducting intake, safety planning, and conducting case management meeting to develop and update goals. Provide crisis intervention, resource/referral, and support to individuals seeking shelter, housing, legal advocacy, counseling, and other community resources. Provide accompaniment to appointments and/or legal proceedings such as court as needed.

Provide legal referrals and education information regarding legal system, assisting with documentation of services for referral to other social service agencies that lead to self-sufficiency. Prepare documentation of all services provided in compliance with grant objectives in a timely manner. Collaborate and actively participate in community organizations to develop capacity-building opportunities for the agency. Maintain up to date information about community resources. Attend all agency meetings as required and be available for on-call duty to provide direct services.

Provide community education in collaboration with the Education and Prevention Dept. regarding mobile advocacy, onsite crisis intervention for outcries, and participate in fairs. Conduct weekly support groups in the community and or onsite to empower survivors. Provide sexual assault advocacy services according to the OVAG, OAG-SAPCS grant to include, but not limited to, case management, support and education groups, applying for benefits and/or entitlements, job-readiness programs, housing assessments, financial literacy, legal advocacy, assisting with CVC, ACP, VINE, protective orders, child support, accompaniments, safety planning, information & referral and coordinating with law enforcement.

Participate in roll calls at service area police departments adjusting schedules accordingly. Provide support to victim liaisons at service area police departments. Provide transportation and or linking to transportation as necessary to remove barriers for survivors who have no transportation.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences from an accredited college or university or a High School Diploma with a minimum of two years’ demonstrated experience in a related environment.
• Must be able to work flexible schedule, to be adjusted as necessary to meet program needs.
• Bilingual Spanish/English required.
• Provides accompaniments to victim/survivors of sexual/domestic assault at hospitals within the agency’s service area (southeast Harris County).
• Must have own reliable transportation.
• Good communication skills; both verbal and written.
• Ability to quickly establish rapport and communicate effectively with diverse populations.
• Ability to document in a clear and concise manner.
  
  

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Bilingual - English/Spanish preferred, not required.
  
  

Other Requirements

• Must pass criminal background investigation check
• Must provide and maintain current TX Driver’s License
• Must provide and maintain clean driving record and annually update driving record
• Must provide and maintain current auto liability insurance
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S
• Must be able to lift/carry (40) lbs, and ascend/descend stairs in emergency shelter setting.