RIFS DVSA Advocate 2

Description

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Find out more at www.irco.org.  

POSITION:                           RIFS DVSA Advocate 2

JOB CLASS/GRADE:            Coordinator 1/Specialist 2; Grade 7

WAGE:                                   Starting at $52,488 per year based on experience 

FLSA; EEO; WC:                   Non-Exempt; Professional; 8864

LOCATIONS:                        IRCO Main Office, 10301 NE Glisan St Portland OR 97220,

                                               Hybrid schedule

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS:          1.0 FTE; Full-Time with Benefits; Regular

NUMBER OF POSITIONS: (1)

APPLY AT:                            www.irco.org 

STATUS:                                Full-Time with Benefits

PROGRAM(S):                      Refugee Immigrant Family Strengthening (RIFS)

SECTOR/DIVISION:             Survivor Services / Community Safety and Wellbeing 

REQUIREMENTS:                 English required, bilingual preferred. Must be able to pass extensive 

                                                Background Check. 40 hours Domestic Violence Advocate 

                                                Certification within 10 working days of hire. Use of a car during 

                                                business hours and proof of auto insurance required.

Program/Department 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 community, religious, or language barriers to obtaining such support. RIFS was designed to be a unique, community focused program that serves immigrant and refugee survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse (DVSA). RIFS is comprised of a team of Advocates who help survivors with safety planning, crisis intervention, emergency and stabilized housing solutions, intensive bilingual case management, interpretation, 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
All Survivor Services sector staff utilize a survivor-centered, strengths-based, empowerment model to cultivate trust, establish and promote trauma-informed communication, and provide advocacy and case management that facilitates, encourages, and assists clients to reach their goals. RIFS DVSA Advocate 2 will assist individuals and families experiencing human trafficking in reaching safety and stability. The RIFS DVSA Advocate 2 utilizes their experience in social services and trauma informed care to enhance community partnerships, improve RIFS programming, and mentor less experienced staff members (Advocates I).

Essential Functions

• Maintain confidential client files and records of service provision; complete data entry and other administrative tasks within given timelines. 
• Provide trauma-informed advocacy throughout referral process and transition into the program from internal and external direct service providers. 
• Manage an increased caseload of participants, assisting in safety and stability, health and wellness, immigration and legal services, employment and educational placements, and accessing other appropriate services as driven by survivor priorities and goals. 
• Provide or secure interpretation, translation, and accessibility services. 
• Navigate risk assessment with survivors and provide immediate and ongoing safety planning, crisis intervention, emergency shelters and motels, and mental health services as needed.
• Engage in outreach opportunities, representing IRCO RIFS at community events.
• Cover at Gateway Center for light touch navigation when needed.
• Mentor and train less experienced staff (Advocates l).

Secondary Functions

• Maintain a high level of confidentiality of participants in identifying information. Confidentiality standards must meet the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) minimum standards.
• Perform outreach and educational activities within immigrant and refugee communities and local service providers.
• Help maintain community partnerships.
• Perform other duties as requested. 

Requirements

Education & Experience

MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in the following areas: confidential advocacy, specifically serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, building community partnerships, and provision of supportive services, especially within immigrant and refugee communities. 
• Completion of the 40-hour Oregon Domestic Violence Certified Advocate Certification within 10 working days of hire.
• Oral and written communication skills commensurate with the needs of the position
• Ability to develop healthy boundaries with clients
• Experience/proficient in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Teams, and a variety of software packages
• Availability to work occasional evening and weekend hours. 
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities for related job functions.
• Ability to interact with clients and colleagues in a trauma informed manner.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred; relevant lived experience can be considered a substitute for education 
• Demonstrated skill and experience working directly with people from various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds 
• Ability to cultivate and develop comprehensive 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 of our clients 
• Training and understanding of Trauma-Informed Care 
• Ability to meet multiple, sometimes conflicting deadlines 

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements 

• Hybrid setting job
• Physical: Position requires little physical effort such as lifting, carrying, or constant movement, but does allow for movement needed to complete work tasks.
• Mental: There is regular variation in tasks and the job holder must decide which tasks to complete as well as the order in which tasks are completed. 
• 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.
• Schedule: The work schedule occasionally fluctuates based on organization or customer needs. This fluctuation may occur with or without prior notice.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Positions at this (Lead) level are responsible for daily work provided to staff/volunteers in similar job functions at comparable or subordinate levels. Positions are not responsible for hiring, firing, disciplinary actions, etc.

What We Offer

IRCO is a very employee-friendly workplace and offers great benefit packages to our staff:

• Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
• Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
• Work that helps your community 
• 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year 
• 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting 
• 3% match for student loans or college savings 
• 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
• Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance 
• Flexible spending accounts

Required Engagement 

Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO’s mission, vision, and values-based initiatives. 

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 IRCO Careers.  
3. For questions about this position, please email [email protected]

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. Complete applications should include a cover letter, resume, and IRCO application. 

IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by State and Federal law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.