Immigration & Community Advocate - Bilingual Spanish required - Kent, United States - Domestic Abuse Women's Network

Description

Job Description

Position Summary:
The Immigration & Community Advocate (ICA) provides trauma-informed domestic violence advocacy support to the community with a special focus on immigrant survivors of domestic violence. Sensitive to the emotions and experiences of survivors, ICA performs crisis intervention, safety planning, resource/information, and advocacy. The ICA empowers clients by working collaboratively to overcome legal barriers to immigration such as applying for U-visas, VAWA, and others. Familiar with nuances of immigration law, the ICA assists survivors in pursuing immigration pathways that are safe, desirable, and feasible. This advocate will also provide legal advocacy support to immigrant survivors, which may include support with protection orders, family law cases, and criminal justice matters. Many immigrant survivors are often prevented from seeking support due to their immigration status, making this advocate an indispensable member of DAWN's team by supporting and empowering an already underserved population. The ICA will meet clients where they best feel safe, however some hours are required at the administrative office in Kent. Due to the nature of the work and the client population, fluency in Spanish is required.

DAWN Team Member Qualities

We are seeking those

• Who have a passion for ending domestic violence, gender, racial, and economic inequality and for social justice, along with a commitment to DAWN's mission, vision, values and policies/procedures.
• Who have a deep commitment to the value that survivors know what is best for themselves and their children, and an ability to suspend personal opinions to support survivors in their choices.
• Who values of diversity and a commitment to equity in our community are reflected in both the services offered to survivors as well as interactions within the team.
• Who are committed to learn, be challenged and to grow personally and professionally.
• Who conduct themselves in a professional manner with co-team members, clients, donors, and community members.
• Who are enthusiastic attitude about working within a team environment with dedicated, hardworking, and passionate colleagues.

Advocacy:

• Listen, support, and provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered, empowerment- based advocacy for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
• Support survivors in creating safety where they feel they need it.
• Provide community advocacy by offering support, information, and connection to resources to survivors needing help with a variety of issues, including emergency shelter, housing, basic needs, legal issues, immigration, and connection to mental health, children's services, or other specialized services as needed.
• Understand clients' immigration status, collaboratively create plans to overcome barriers, work with client to comprehend realities of immigration process.
• Support clients with immigration process, which may include accompaniment to relevant appointments pertaining to immigration, support with obtaining relevant documentation, assistance with declarations and verification of services/letter of support, and communication with immigration attorney when appropriate.
• Provide support with civil legal issues, such as providing education around legal rights and processes, navigating multiple legal systems, and referring clients to appropriate legal services, as necessary.
• Support immigrant survivors in criminal justice proceedings, both as the victim and/or the defendant in cases.
• Stay updated on changes to immigration policy and climate.
• May facilitate community support groups for survivors in Spanish.
• Develop strong relationships with service providers and acts as a liaison between clients and said providers.
• Answer the 24-hour advocacy and support line during scheduled shifts.
• Understand institutional barriers to services and support and works with outside systems and/or providers to improve the survivor's experience navigating the system.
• Support other advocates and team members in their work through consultations, training, or providing co-advocacy, especially in the areas where the advocate may have specific expertise or experience.
• Maintain the strictest confidentiality protocols.

Outreach:

• Represent DAWN at community meetings and events when needed.
• Distribute materials throughout South King County to ensure the community and other partners are updated on services.
• Participates in outreach and education activities which may include offering training, attending community meetings, and/or outreach events.

Administrative:

• Provide timely completion of relevant paperwork, accurately enters data into multiple databases, and maintains complete and current client files.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proven ability to work effectively with diverse staff, clients, and volunteers.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate well with people in crisis, the advocacy team, and community partners, and to communicate across cultures and with those who have limited English.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and follow-thru.
• Ability to make sound judgments relating to crisis situations.
• Ability to complete paperwork and enter information into multiple databases on time and in detail, strong time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to speak and write English proficiently (fluently).
• Physical Abilities:
  • Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, kneel, and twist on an intermittent basis including answering the front door.
  • Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files and reach overhead.
  • Physically able to walk or run if needed, climb stairs without difficulty.
  • Ability to lift and carry at 50 pounds.
  • Ability to work on a computer for extended periods of time.
• Bilingual in Spanish is a requirement.

Education/Experience:

• High School/equivalent (GED), required.
• Associate Degree in social work, psychology, or similar field, preferred.
• 1-2 years of advocacy experience preferred or lived experience of domestic or gender-based violence in lieu of paid work experience will also be considered.
• Some experience with Microsoft Office products: Microsoft 365 (Teams, Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint) preferred; Database experience (Osnium) is a plus.
• Must complete DAWN's DVI training and obtain CPR/First Aid certification within90 days of hire.
• Must provide own transportation; possess a valid Washington State driver's license, proof of auto insurance and a clean driving record. (However, if this is a barrier to employment and the candidate has alternative reliable means of transportation for all work-required meetings/appointments, please let the Advocacy Services Manager know)
• Must be able to pass Washington State criminal background check.

About DAWN:

DAWN is a holistic domestic violence agency located in South King County supporting survivors of domestic violence, the community, and other social services agencies towards the goal of ending domestic violence. Through our wide variety of programming, we strive to serve survivors wherever they are in their relationships, meeting their needs as they prioritize them, and working with them physically wherever they deem safe, within the South King County region. Our programs include a 24-hour advocacy support hotline, confidential emergency shelter, mobile/community advocacy, support groups, legal advocacy, immigrant advocacy, children's advocacy, mental health services, TANF advocacy, prevention and education services, and the marketplace food program. While working with us, survivors and their families are offered advocacy, resources, and a safe place to begin again.

DAWN is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any protected status.