Primary Advocate (w/Housing Focus)

The Salvation Army; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army in Portland, OR operates the West Women’s Shelter and seeks a Primary Advocate with a housing focus to support survivors of domestic violence. You will provide advocacy, housing placement assistance, and case management while maintaining confidentiality and coordinating with the DV access system.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position requiring strong communication, multitasking, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Human Services field; experience in social services preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide advocacy, supportive services, and case management using trauma-informed care.
• Identify resources to improve safety, self-sufficiency, and housing stability.
• Maintain professional relationships and document interactions confidentially.
• Facilitate screening and intake for emergency shelter residents.
• Complete safety assessments and log into reporting portal.
• Develop weekly case management plans aimed at safety and housing stability.
• Maintain participant files and ensure proper turnover on exit.
• Update Service Point data monthly and coordinate housing resources.
• Administer client rental assistance as available to increase safety.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication

Ability to prioritize multiple tasks

Problem solving

Patience

Confidentiality

Equity, diversity, and inclusion

Advocacy for survivors

Education

BA/BS in Human Services

Tools

Microsoft Office

Phone system

Networked computers

Fax machine

Photocopier/Scanner

Vehicle experience

Reporting databases (Service Point/Osnium/MS Excel)

Job description

West Women's Shelter
Salvation Army
Portland, OR 97220, USA

• Travel Required : Yes

Description

Recruiting Opportunity Closes: 10.29.2026

Hourly Wage: $26.00 - $30.00 DOE

Status: Non-Exempt / Full Time

Number of Positions: 1

Department: West Women’s and Children’s Shelter

Position Title: Primary Advocate (w/Housing Focus)

The Salvation Army Mission Statement:

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

West Women’s Mission Statement:

We create a safe nurturing environment for survivors to realize their potential for healing and growth as we work together to end domestic violence.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to prioritize multiple requests and demands from residents.
• High level of problem-solving skills.
• High level of patience.
• A genuine concern for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy.
• Must be willing to advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Software and Hardware-Related Skills

• Utilize Microsoft Office 2010 or later Software
• Answer and Telephone system
• Use Networked computers and printers
• Send and Receive from a Fax Machine
• Use a Photo Copier and Scanner
• Motor vehicle Experience as needed
• Utilize and Understand Reporting Databases (such as Service Point, Osnium, MS Excel)

Scope of Position

Establish and maintain advocacy relationships with participants in the Emergency Shelter program. This is done by performing screening, intake, advocacy, and case management duties in accordance with the domestic violence coordinated access system for shelter access and housing placement for survivors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide advocacy, supportive services, and case management to participants applying the assertive engagement and trauma informed care model.
• Identify and make connections with resources which assist in participants increased safety, self-sufficiency, and housing stability.
• Maintain ongoing professional relationship in all interpersonal contacts (note confidentiality and professional guidelines requirements).
• Facilitate the screening and intake process with emergency shelter residents in accordance with the DV coordinated access system.
• Complete Safety and Stabilization Assessments as necessary and log SSA’s into reporting portal.
• Develop weekly case management plans with participants with the goal of increased safety, self-sufficiency, and housing stability.
• Maintain participant files with appropriate forms and information.
• Close out files within 2 weeks of exit date and provide completed file to Supervisor.
• Update all Service Point data for each participant by the 5th of the month.
• Complete check requests with necessary documentation utilizing available client assistance funds.
• Create a safety plan with each client responding to their unique needs.
• Log pertinent information in a timely fashion.
• Meet regularly with each participant.
• Facilitate “network” meetings as applicable to participant’s needs.
• Provide advocacy to assist in each participant’s housing placement.
• Administer client/rental assistance as it is available to increase safety and housing stability.
• Advocate, support and encourage personal empowerment of the participant and within the shelter setting.
• Perform appropriate statistical and data entry tasks in a timely fashion.
• Work with both internal and external entities to increase the success and safety for each participant.
• Provide front desk coverage as needed and required during your shift.
• Ensure each exit process includes exit evaluation proper turnover of space and forwarding information to the front desk for all exited participant and is completed upon exit.
• Always attend to the safety and security needs of the shelter.
• Maintain high ethical standards in all case consultation with peers and outside agencies.
• Uphold all confidentiality policies and procedures in accordance with agency policies and VAWA Standards.
• Be present and on time for all staff meetings as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Secondary Focus

• Secure housing resource for program clients
• Administer client/rental assistance as it is available.
• Teach/reinforce life and home management skills to Clients (Rent Well).
• Provide housing referral liaison services for all housing programs available to client.
• Provide case management services with a focus on getting clients into housing by learning the housing market and developing a network of resources available to clients.

RESPONSIBILITY: Significant impact on program and costs. Work is done under general supervision in accordance with general procedures or policies but with latitude for exercise of independent judgment. Decisions and actions are subject to prior approval in unusual cases.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None. Work with and through Supervisor for all supervisory issues. Supervision is of a limited variety of activities of ordinary complexity.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis
• Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead
• Ability to operate telephone
• Ability to operate a desktop or laptop computer
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. (usually file boxes)
• Ability to access and produce information from a computer
• Ability to understand written information

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is a reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

Preferred: BA/BS in Human Services field plus experience in a social service setting working with vulnerable populations and/or trauma survivors

Considered: Equivalent work and life experience connected to working with vulnerable populations and/or Trauma Survivors

Training and experience in trauma informed care, assertive engagement, domestic violence, housing, non-violent communication, crisis counseling is desired. Ability to work with various socio-economic, ethnic and racial populations is a must. Must possess good written and oral communication skills and (or be willing to learn) knowledge of social services network; and commitment to non-violence in all interactions. Computer skills needed to perform tasks related to the position are required.

SUPERVISOR: Justin Moshkowski

Travel Required

Yes . Travel, as needed, to fulfill essential job duties.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Human Services or related field.

Experience

Preferred

Equivalent work and life experience connected to working with vulnerable populations and/or Trauma Survivors. Training and experience in trauma informed care, assertive engagement, domestic violence, housing, non-violent communication, crisis counseling is desired.

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Driver's License

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.