BREATHE Coordinator

YWCA Union County; Elizabeth (NJ); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The BREATHE Coordinator at YWCA Union County oversees the BREATHE program and supports individuals affected by non-fatal strangulation. The role provides crisis intervention, advocacy, safety planning, and referrals with a survivor-centered, trauma-informed approach.

Responsibilities include supervising volunteers, coordinating referrals at hospitals and police departments, developing trainings, and building partnerships with medical providers and community organizations.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Public Health, or a related field with at least one year of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Experience with crisis intervention, advocacy, safety planning, and case management.
• Experience working with survivors in hospital, law enforcement, or community settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations and coordination of the BREATHE program.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and support program volunteers and interns.
• Respond to non-fatal strangulation and other high-risk referrals at hospitals, police departments, and community partner locations.
• Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, safety planning, advocacy, and referrals to survivors.
• Connect survivors with counseling, legal, medical, housing, financial, and emergency shelter resources.
• Develop and facilitate trainings for staff, volunteers, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and community partners.
• Build and maintain partnerships with hospitals, law enforcement agencies, schools, legal providers, and community organizations.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case documentation, referral records, and program data.
• Support program evaluation, data collection, quality improvement, and compliance with agency and funding requirements.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Advocacy

Safety planning

Trauma-informed care

Bilingual English/Spanish

Communication

Volunteer supervision

Staff training

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Public Health, or a related field

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Job description

The BREATHE Coordinator is responsible for overseeing and supporting YWCA Union County’s BREATHE program, which provides services to individuals impacted by non-fatal strangulation. This position ensures that survivors receive compassionate, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and survivor-centered support.

The BREATHE Coordinator responds to non-fatal strangulation cases at hospitals and police departments, providing crisis intervention, advocacy, safety planning, resources, and referrals. The role also supports program development, volunteer recruitment and training, community outreach, and the development of strong partnerships with medical providers, law enforcement, and community organizations.

The ideal candidate is a compassionate and organized professional with strong communication and crisis intervention skills who is committed to supporting survivors of domestic violence and connecting them with appropriate resources and services.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS & ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Public Health, or a related field with at least one year of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Experience with crisis intervention, advocacy, safety planning, and case management.
• Experience working with survivors in hospital, law enforcement, or community settings preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Strong communication, organizational, documentation, and time-management skills.
• Ability to collaborate with healthcare providers, law enforcement, legal professionals, and community partners.
• Experience with training, community outreach, and volunteer supervision preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish highly preferred.
• Must be flexible to work evenings and weekends and respond to hospital or police department referrals as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Oversee the daily operations and coordination of the BREATHE program.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and support program volunteers and interns.
• Respond to non-fatal strangulation and other high-risk referrals at hospitals, police departments, and community partner locations.
• Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, safety planning, advocacy, and referrals to survivors.
• Connect survivors with counseling, legal, medical, housing, financial, and emergency shelter resources.
• Develop and facilitate trainings for staff, volunteers, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and community partners.
• Build and maintain partnerships with hospitals, law enforcement agencies, schools, legal providers, and community organizations.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case documentation, referral records, and program data.
• Support program evaluation, data collection, quality improvement, and compliance with agency and funding requirements.

DESIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge of domestic violence, sexual assault, trauma-informed care, and survivor advocacy.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and crisis intervention skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively with survivors from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to train and support volunteers and interns.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

While performing the job, this position typically involves sitting, standing, climbing stairs, walking, carrying (25lbs), lifting (25lbs), bending, stooping, and reaching. This position also requires operating a computer keyboard, firm/strong grasping, and repetitive hand control. The position also requires the ability to complete forms in personal writing, make and receive telephone calls, and operate office machines (copier, fax, and printer). This position is also subjected to outside environmental conditions.

This job description is a broad outline of the responsibilities and duties that will be amended as needed to meet the program priorities of the YWCA Union County and theirensuring work requirements. It should not be construed as a contract.

The Mission of the YWCA-Union County
The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace,justice, freedom, and dignity for all.YWCA Eastern Union County Core ValuesCommitment to the mission and working together for the well-being of the communityIntegrity in relationships, practices, and decisions.Respect for each one's roles, diversity, and viewpoints.Compassion in understanding, attitude, and action.Empowerment to create positive choices, recognize potential, and reach goals.Excellence in practice and expectation.

Non-Discrimination Policy
The YWCA of Eastern Union County is an equal opportunity employer and shall provide equalemployment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment.The YWCA of Eastern Union County does not discriminate in providing appropriate services orother assistance based on age, gender, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, religion,handicap, and/or financial status. (Approved 2002)