Youth Advocate

Position: Youth Advocate
Hours: 40 hours/week; primarily weekdays, Thursday and Friday evenings, other occasional evenings and weekends
Reports to: Deputy Director
Compensation: Starting at $22/hr.
Benefits: Generous paid time off; 11 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday, 100% employer paid medical, vision and dental insurance for employee, FSA, optional retirement plans with a 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 that survivors are the experts in their own lives and have the ability to 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 all the criteria. 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 Youth Advocate will be primarily responsible for advocacy of 2SLGBTQIA and developmentally disabled youth survivors of sexual violence, in addition to providing 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 sexual violence. This position has a specific focus on supporting 2SLGBTQIA and developmentally disabled youth sexual assault survivors by providing culturally specific outreach and support.

Scope of Duties

With support from the Deputy Director, work towards the goals of the Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) grant, including: creating and maintaining a confidential, safe, and supportive space for youth survivors of sexual violence as well as clients at our drop-in advocacy center; providing one-on-one advocacy services that may include safety planning, crisis intervention, peer support, information and referrals, connecting survivors to other social services and resources, and sharing the work of The Harbor with community members and partners.

General Responsibilities

• 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 sexual assault survivors
• 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
• Receive continuing education and training regarding serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence and stalking
• 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
• Attend required, weekly all-staff meetings
• Other tasks and projects assigned

Specific Responsibilities

• Maintain professional competency by attending trainings, webinars, and conferences to stay up to date on best practices for supporting survivors of sexual violence, with a particular focus on 2SLGBTQIA and developmentally disabled survivors.
• Facilitate or seek out a sexual violence training related to 2SLGBTQIA and developmentally disabled youth for staff at least once per quarter
• Provide in-person crisis response to or schedule follow-up with student sexual assault survivors referred by The Harbor Prevention Team
• Facilitate a sexual assault support group according to the needs of survivors in our community
• Organize a staff committee to delegate annual Developmental Disabilities Month (March), Sexual Assault Action Month (April) and Pride Month (June) activities, outreach, and social media content creation
• Create or find resources (printed materials, website or social media content, literature, online support groups, etc.) specific to 2SLGBTQIA and developmentally disabled youth survivors of sexual violence, and sexual violence survivors from the general population
• Participate in the Enhancing Sexual Assault Services Initiative cohort, working to complete the programs projects and goals during downtime
• Coordinate with local artists, writers, and poets to provide a quarterly workshop for sexual assault survivors; seek out opportunities for these projects to be displayed in the community (Astoria Artwalk, Fisher Poets, a survivor stories page on our website, etc.)
• Oversee the youth peer advocacy program, including creating policies, procedures, and tracking measures for the program
• Create at least one social media post related to sexual assault and/or 2SLGBTQIA developmentally disabled youth issues per month
• With support from the Deputy Director, create and implement a survey for sexual violence survivors each year to better assess community needs

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Core values that align with the mission of The Harbor, including a personal and professional commitment to anti-oppression and anti-racism work
• At least 1-year of professional experience providing culturally specific services to 2SLGBTQIA and developmentally disabled youth individuals OR 1-year of experience working with survivors of sexual violence OR relevant lived experience
• 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

Preferred Qualification & Experience

• Experience in community assessment
• Experience with program evaluation
• Bilingual and/or Bicultural
• 1 or more years of project management experience

Pay: From $22.00 per hour

Benefits:

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

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person