Children and Youth Gender-Based Violence Community Advocate

YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 31,822 - 45,323; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Generous vacation

Holiday and sick leave

Retirement plan

Job summary

YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish is seeking a full-time employee to work with youth aged 6-18 impacted by gender-based violence. Responsibilities include providing culturally relevant advocacy, conducting assessments, and supporting families.

This role offers a competitive hourly rate of $28.00, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for professional development. Candidates should have experience in crisis intervention and a commitment to justice and advocacy.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of racism, poverty, and social justice.
• Experience working with survivors of domestic violence.
• Commitment to advocacy for communities furthest from opportunity.

Responsibilities

• Provide advocacy with a trauma-informed approach to children and youth.
• Conduct intake assessments to evaluate survivors' needs.
• Facilitate workshops engaging youth in understanding race, gender, and violence.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Advocacy for youth

Understanding of trauma

Communication skills

Education

Some college coursework in child or youth development, social services, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Job description

YWCA Seattle King Snohomish is the region’s largest non‑profit organization, with a 120‑plus year legacy focused on women, serving 7,000 people each year. When you work with YWCA you make a difference.

As a full‑time employee (30+ hours), you will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical insurance, generous vacation, holiday, sick leave, and an outstanding retirement plan.

What you’ll do

In this role you will work directly with children and youth ages 6‑18 who have been impacted by gender‑based violence. You will provide trauma‑informed, culturally relevant advocacy in schools, community spaces, and family settings, helping young people build safety, confidence, and connection while strengthening family stability and community partnerships.

Responsibilities

Family & Youth Advocacy

• Provide culturally relevant advocacy with a trauma‑informed approach to children and youth (ages 6+) who are survivors of gender‑based violence.
• Conduct initial intake assessments to evaluate the needs of survivors and children/youth.
• Offer crisis intervention, grounding, and coping strategies in shelter, community, school, and office‑based settings.
• Serve as a positive role model for children and youth by demonstrating healthy communication, boundaries, problem‑solving, and respectful relationships, while encouraging self‑esteem, resilience, and personal growth.
• Work alongside YWCA’s Housing Advocates to ensure children have access to available and appropriate youth services (e.g., high school personnel, McKinney‑Vento and DCYF/CPS counseling and community‑based youth programs).
• Support parents and youth in learning strategies for staying safe and developing individualized, age‑appropriate safety plans related to home, school, online spaces, and relationships.
• Provide education to children and youth on healthy relationships, boundaries, consent, and personal safety.
• Partner with GBVSS Housing Advocates to identify families and address the needs of children.
• Implement the YWCA GBVSS 8‑week children/youth curriculum to assist in the healing process.
• Develop and maintain an ongoing network of resources for children with coordinated referrals to link children and families.
• Attend DCYF and CPS case meetings for relevant families.
• Provide wrap‑around services not limited to emergency basic needs, direct resources to increase economic self‑sufficiency, promote health, mental wellness, etc.
• Co‑facilitate parenting classes through an independent contracted licensed clinician.
• Maintain accurate and confidential client files/spreadsheets, complete HMIS, and ensure timely data collection and monthly reporting, including narrative writing.

Community & School Outreach

• Manage relationships for the McKinney‑Vento liaison program with selected public schools.
• Support relocated families with new student school enrollment support.
• Facilitate workshops and activities that engage Black/African American and youth of color in developing a deeper understanding of the interplay between race, gender, and violence.
• Facilitate and hold space for meaningful peer connections and collective learning, healing, and action.
• Maintain consistent follow‑through and positive working relationships with key school administrators, counselors, and decision‑makers.
• Leverage effective communication skills to navigate relevant educational systems.
• Provide civic participation to ensure youth engagement and preparation through school.
• Work in partnership with DCYF, community centers, and local public schools within Seattle and King County.
• Attend required external and internal programming, community and provider meetings.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of the intersection of racism, poverty, and social justice, with a strong commitment to advocacy for communities furthest from opportunity, particularly Black and African American women, children, and youth.
• Knowledge of the dynamics of gender‑based violence, including power and control, coercion, trauma impacts, and survivor‑centered, trauma‑informed best practices.
• Experience working with survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault in an advocacy, support, or community‑based setting.
• Minimum of two years of experience working or volunteering with children and youth ages 6‑18.
• Experience providing crisis intervention, education, and support to children, youth, and families in one‑on‑one and group settings.
• Strong understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries when working with vulnerable populations.
• Ability to navigate and coordinate across multiple systems, including human services, education, and child welfare.
• Some college coursework in child or youth development, social services, or a related field, or equivalent lived or professional experience in lieu of a degree.
• Commitment to complete a minimum of 30 hours of advocacy‑based domestic violence training within the first three months of employment and annually thereafter.
• Experience facilitating or co‑facilitating peer support groups for children or youth.
• Familiarity with how cultural dynamics, including racism and gender, shape the experiences and responses of Black and African American youth impacted by domestic violence.
• Knowledge of community resources within Seattle and South King County, or ability to build and maintain those connections.
• Strong advocacy orientation with the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Proficiency with basic office technology, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and mobile communication tools.
• Ability to manage documentation, data entry, and reporting in a timely and organized manner.
• Access to a reliable vehicle, a valid Washington State driver’s license, and ability to travel independently between multiple work sites during the workday.

Hours, Rate & Benefits

• Hourly Rate: $28.00
• Hours: 40 hours per week
• Benefits: medical insurance, retirement plan, generous vacation, holiday and sick leave.

Physical Requirements

• All positions at YWCA Seattle King Snohomish are exposed to clients who have experienced or are experiencing trauma, and staff are at risk of secondary trauma.
• Frequent sitting, standing, and walking for extended periods during meetings, school activities, workshops, and group facilitation.
• Frequent traveling independently between multiple work sites, including schools and community locations.
• Repetitive use of hands, wrists, and fingers for computer work, documentation, phone communication, and program coordination.
• Frequent reaching, handling, and grasping of office and program materials.
• Occasional bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling to access files, supplies, or materials.
• Occasional lifting and carrying of program materials, files, or supplies, generally up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to work in environments that may be emotionally demanding due to the nature of advocacy and trauma‑informed work.

Equal Opportunity Employer

YWCA Seattle King Snohomish is an Equal Opportunity Employer. View the EEO Poster.

Contact us at [e-mail] with any questions or if you need accommodation for your application.