Mobile Advocate (Two Positions Available)

Aware Shelter; Jackson (MI); On-site; USD 37,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Life Insurance

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

AWARE, Inc. seeks a Mobile Advocate to join a one-year pilot that brings survivor-centered advocacy directly into communities. The role involves meeting survivors in accessible locations, providing confidential support, and coordinating with partners to ensure safety, housing, and access to services.

The position requires travel within the service area, completion of training, and dedication to empowering survivors through information, resources, and options that promote safety and independence.

Qualifications

• Commitment to AWARE's mission and survivor-centered services.
• Ability to work with individuals in crisis, trauma, and complex situations.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Ability to travel within the assigned service area and complete background checks.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential, survivor-centered advocacy to individuals impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Meet survivors at safe, accessible locations within the service area.
• Assist survivors with identifying needs, safety concerns, goals, and options.
• Provide legal advocacy, including PPOs, court processes, and court accompaniment when appropriate.
• Provide sexual assault advocacy and support for adult and child survivors.
• Assist survivors with accessing emergency shelter and other safe housing options if needed.
• Connect survivors with counseling, healthcare, housing, transportation, financial assistance, and other resources.
• Assist with applications and paperwork related to benefits, housing, Medicaid, and other services.
• Provide flexible financial assistance to eligible survivors per guidelines.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations and safe locations for services.
• Participate in outreach and education to raise awareness of services.

Skills

Compassionate approach

Crisis and trauma-informed practice

Strong communication

Confidentiality and boundaries

Independent work in community settings

Collaboration with partners

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Job description

AWARE, Inc. is seeking a compassionate, dependable, and motivated Mobile Advocate to join

our new Mobile Advocacy Pilot Program. This one-year pilot is designed to expand access to

domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy services by bringing support directly into

communities and reducing barriers that may prevent survivors from accessing traditional

office-based services.

The Mobile Advocate will meet survivors at safe, accessible community locations and provide

confidential, survivor-centered, trauma-informed advocacy. This position requires the ability to

work independently in community settings while remaining closely connected to the AWARE

team and community partners.

Because this position is funded as part of a one-year pilot program, continued employment

beyond the pilot period will be dependent upon program outcomes and the availability of

continued funding.

Two positions are available: one serving Jackson County and one serving Monroe County.

The Mobile Advocate will:

• Provide confidential, survivor-centered advocacy to individuals impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Meet survivors at safe and accessible locations throughout the designated service area.
• Assist survivors with identifying immediate needs, safety concerns, goals, and available options.
• Provide legal advocacy, including assistance with Personal Protection Orders (PPOs), court processes, and court accompaniment when appropriate.
• Provide sexual assault advocacy and support for adult and child survivors.
• Assist survivors with accessing emergency shelter and other safe housing options when needed.
• Connect survivors with counseling, healthcare, housing, transportation, financial assistance, and other community resources.
• Assist with applications and paperwork related to available benefits, housing, Medicaid, and other supportive services.
• Provide flexible financial assistance to eligible survivors in accordance with program guidelines.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations and identify safe, accessible locations where survivors can receive advocacy services.
• Participate in community outreach and education to increase awareness of AWARE's services and the Mobile Advocacy Program.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation while protecting survivor confidentiality.
• Participate in required training, staff meetings, supervision, and program evaluation activities.
• Follow all AWARE policies, confidentiality requirements, mandated reporting requirements, and safety protocols.
• Travel throughout the designated service area to meet survivors and community partners.
• Perform other related duties necessary to support the successful implementation of the

Qualifications

Required:

• Commitment to AWARE's mission and to providing respectful, survivor-centered services.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals experiencing crisis, trauma, and complex
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions while working in community-based settings.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with law enforcement, courts, healthcare providers, social service agencies, and other community partners.
• Ability to complete required domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy training.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel throughout the assigned service area.
• Ability to successfully complete required background checks.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, criminal justice, psychology, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Previous experience working with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other forms of interpersonal violence.
• Knowledge of community resources and systems that impact survivors.

community-based services.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be flexible, compassionate, resourceful, and comfortable working

outside of a traditional office environment. Mobile Advocacy is a new pilot initiative, the

Advocate should be comfortable helping build a program, developing community relationships,

identifying solutions to emerging challenges, and adapting as the program evolves.

A strong candidate will understand that effective advocacy means supporting survivors in

identifying their own needs, choices, and goals while providing information, resources, and

options that promote safety, healing, empowerment, and independence.

About AWARE

AWARE, Inc. strives to eliminate domestic and sexual violence while promoting social change

and empowering survivors by offering shelter and services. Through emergency shelter,

advocacy, counseling, legal assistance, crisis intervention, and community-based services,

AWARE works to ensure survivors have access to the resources and support they need.

The Mobile Advocacy Pilot Program represents an expansion of this mission by bringing

services closer to survivors and reducing transportation, geographic, safety, and accessibility

Schedule: 36-40 hours a week (Full time)

Salary/Hourly Rate: $18 - 20/hourly

Benefits: Health and Life Insurance, 401(k) with up to a 3% employer match

Anticipated Start Date: October 1, 2026

This position is funded through a one-year pilot program. Continuation of the position

beyond the pilot period is contingent upon continued funding and program needs.

AWARE, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive

environment for employees and the survivors we serve