Bilingual Client Advocate

United Against Human Trafficking; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

United Against Human Trafficking in Houston seeks a Bilingual Client Advocate who serves as a critical link between client-survivors and community supports, providing in-depth advocacy and referrals with a focus on those not accessing shelter-based resources.

You'll conduct intake, screen for services, coordinate with attorneys, offer crisis counseling, and help clients secure basic needs while guiding them toward job training and self-sufficiency plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in family violence is required or considered.
• Masters degree preferred for advanced advocacy work.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is mandatory.
• Experience in a legal setting, especially providing services to low-income clients, preferred.
• Knowledge of domestic violence dynamics is important.
• Crisis counseling experience is preferred.
• Sensitivity to victims of domestic violence is essential.
• Appreciation of diversity and sensitivity to people of varying lifestyles, ethnicity and religious groups.
• Strong oral and written communication skills are essential.
• Proficiency with PCs, including word processing and general office software.
• Dependable transportation required.

Responsibilities

• Initiate and continue ongoing contact with clients—to determine physical, financial, and emotional needs.
• Answer intake calls and screen applicants for services, providing information about legal options.
• Meet with applicants, gather documents, and prepare files for attorney review.
• Provide crisis counseling, information, and referrals.
• Assist clients in securing basic needs such as shelter and emergency food.
• Aid clients in actualizing a self-sufficiency plan, including job training or job search enrollment.
• Manage Victim Support Group for victim-survivors (if assigned).
• Accompany clients to court when requested.
• Provide community outreach as needed.
• Maintain a computerized client database.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Bilingual in English and Spanish

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in family violence

Master's degree preferred

Tools

PC Proficiency

Job description

Job Title:Bilingual Client AdvocateStatus:Full-Time Non-Exempt Staff

Supervisor:Director of Advocacy Services

Summary

The Client Advocate serves as a connection between victim-survivors of family violence and sources of community support by providing in-depth and ongoing advocacy and social-services referrals.Emphasis is on serving clients who are not able to access shelter-based support systems.

Responsibilities

• Initiate and continue ongoing contact with clients—to ensure accuracy of contact information for clients and to determine physical, financial, and emotional needs
• Answer intake calls, appropriately screen applicants for services, provide basic but accurate information regarding the legal options available to callers
• Meet with applicants for services, gather necessary documentation from applicants, and prepare files for attorney review
• Provide crisis counseling, information, and referrals
• Assist clients in securing basic human needs such as shelter and emergency food
• Aid the client in actualizing a self-sufficiency plan, including assistance enrolling in job training or job search programs
• Manage Victim Support Group for victim-survivors (if assigned)
• Accompany clients to court when requested
• Provide community outreach on an as-needed basis
• Assist in the maintenance of a computerized client database
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in family violence considered; Masters preferred
• Bilingual in English and Spanish required
• Previous experience in legal setting, especially legal services to low-income clientele, preferred
• Knowledge of domestic violence
• Crisis counseling experience
• Sensitivity to victims of domestic violence
• Appreciation of diversity and a sensitivity to people of varying lifestyles, ethnicity and religious groups
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Proficiency with PCs, including word processing and other general office machines
• Dependable transportation