Specialized Services Advocate

SAAFE House; Huntsville (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

SAAFE House is seeking a Specialized Services Advocate to oversee service delivery for victims of family violence and sexual abuse, with emphasis on bilingual clients. The role includes crisis intervention, intake assessments, and coordination of translation services across residential and outreach settings.

The position requires fluent Spanish, busts of community outreach, and collaboration with staff, volunteers, and community organizations.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma and working toward college degree and/or relevant volunteer experience
• Bachelor's degree in a mental health related field and two years' work/volunteer experience preferred
• Must have be able to speak, write and read Spanish fluently
• Must have reliable transportation and current auto insurance as required by the State of Texas
• Ability to work within local Hispanic community to help address needs and work with community leaders
• Fluent Spanish Speaker required

Responsibilities

• Program Coordination: Evaluate and modify service delivery to meet special population clients' needs and identify local resources.
• Direct Client Services: Provide intake, crisis intervention, and referrals, including access to residential services.
• Community Education: Lead trainings and develop materials to inform unreached populations about services.
• Additional Duties: Data entry, other duties as assigned.
• Building and Equipment Maintenance: Assist in maintaining equipment and building safety.
• Personal Skills: Maintain confidentiality, calm during crises, multi-task, communicate effectively.
• Physical and Sensory: Able to perform required physical tasks and work with others or alone.

Skills

Spanish fluency

Mental health degree

Volunteer experience

Transportation

Community outreach

Education

High school diploma

Mental health bachelor

Job description

Position Description

Specialized Services Advocate

Position Summary: Responsible for the oversight of service delivery to special population victims who have experienced or been affected by Family Violence or Sexual Abuse including crisis intervention and support services to aid in their recovery from the abuse. These services may be given in either individual or small group settings in both residential or outreach settings. Emphasis in services will be given to clients who speak Spanish and/or from the Hispanic culture.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma and working toward college degree and/or relevant volunteer experience
• Bachelor's degree in a mental health related field and two years' work/volunteer experience preferred
• Must have be able to speak, write and read Spanish fluently
• Must have reliable transportation and current auto insurance as required by the State of Texas
• Ability to work within local Hispanic community to help address needs and work with community leaders
• Fluent Spanish Speaker required

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Coordination (25% of time)

• Evaluate and modify service delivery to ensure special population clients' needs are being met. Special populations include victims underserved because of ethnicity, race, disability, cultural or language diversity, and/or geographic isolation
• Identify local resources to better serve special population victims
• Provide information and training to staff, volunteers, and involved community agencies/organizations on best practices in service delivery to special populations
• Work with staff and volunteers to develop and maintain a 24-hour system for client translation services

Direct Client Services (50% of time)

• Provide intake sessions assessing individual's eligibility for services and provide information and referrals relevant to each client's situation
• Provide crisis intervention and support services to survivors to include accompaniment, counseling appointments, emergency transportation, emergency medical care, and immediate access to agency residential services
• Facilitate and develop education and support groups
• Provide personal advocacy to clients to include providing access to food, clothing, and personal hygiene items
• Provide legal information and assistance in the civil and criminal justice systems to include information on obtaining crime victim compensation benefits and protective orders and preparing victim impact statements
• Participate in an on-call rotation to provide 24-hour crisis intervention services
• Provide daily documentation of client information, and maintain required statistical and administrative documentation for monthly, quarterly, and annual reports
• Keep current a formalized resource/referral system of community resources
• Attend meetings pertinent to job performance and receive training on specialized victim's services.

Community Education (25% of time)

• Identify unreached populations and develop plans of action to inform them of services and make services available
• Lead trainings with community agencies and individuals to enhance knowledge of family violence and sexual assault issues, as well as the special needs of bilingual clients
• Develop written materials, as needed, to enhance knowledge and awareness of Family Violence/Sexual Abuse issues
• Provide outreach services to unreached populations to increase community knowledge of available resources and services

Additional Job Duties

• All other duties as assigned
• Data entry as related to position

Building and Equipment Maintenance

• Assist in maintenance of agency equipment
• Assist in maintaining building safety

Personal Skills

• Ability to understand and comply with confidentiality policies
• Ability to remain calm while coping with crisis situations
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize workload
• Ability to organize work area
• Requires good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently without supervision

Physical and Sensory

• Ability to walk, stand, kneel, push, stoop, reach above the shoulder, bend repeatedly, grasp, pull, hear with aid, see, write, count, read, speak, analyze, alphabetize, lift and carry under 45 lbs., perceive depth, operate a motor vehicle and operate motor equipment
• Conditions include working closely with others, working alone, working while children are playing close by, working protracted or irregular hours
• Equipment (machines, tools, devices) used in performing only the essential functions include computer and related equipment, typewriter, calculator, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile
• Ability to be flexible and change duties with short notice as needed

Supervisor

Client Services Director

Work Schedule

Flexible Monday through Friday (on call duty, weekends, and some holidays required)

Regular Schedule Hours 8:30am - 5:00pm

Schedules are subject to change to meet the needs of the agency.

Location

Outreach offices and outside agencies in service area

Status

Non-exempt, Full-time

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as exhaustive of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.