Coordinated Access Advocate $22.43+ DOE

Volunteers of America Oregon•Portland, OR

8d•$22 - $30•Hybrid

About The Position

The Coordinated Access Advocate works across all of Home Free’s programs to provide direct service and support to survivors needing domestic and/or sexual violence shelter or housing interventions. This includes completing Safety and Stabilization Assessment (SSA) pre-screens and assessments, carrying a small case load, and supporting survivors with short-term case management, systems navigation, and access to shelter or housing options. This position takes a lead role in ensuring culturally appropriate, responsive, and accessible services across the program and supports internal advocates through co-advocacy.

Requirements

Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the safety or health of employees or others.
A bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, women’s and gender studies, or a related human services field is preferred.
An associate degree and one year of relevant experience, or a high school diploma or GED and two years of relevant experience or lived experience navigating domestic and/or sexual violence, may be substituted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.
Experience providing supportive services, advocacy, or case management within community-based, social service, or crisis response settings is strongly preferred.
Experience working with individuals impacted by domestic or sexual violence, or individuals from historically marginalized or underserved communities.
Experience building and sustaining collaborative community partnerships, supporting individuals in navigating complex systems, or delivering culturally responsive services is highly valued.
Candidates must demonstrate a willingness to learn in areas such as housing advocacy, systems navigation, and equitable service delivery, if not already experienced.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be used to satisfy these requirements.
Advocate Privileged State Certification within the first two weeks of hire.
Must successfully complete all required pre-employment screenings, including a criminal history background check.
Must not be excluded from participation in federal healthcare programs, including but not limited to listings on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) List of Excluded Individuals/Entities and the System for Award Management (SAM) exclusion list.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Must be able to travel throughout the Portland metropolitan area to perform essential job duties.
When operating a vehicle for VOA Oregon business, the employee must possess a valid driver's license and meet VOA Oregon's and its insurer's driver eligibility requirements.
Knowledge of domestic and sexual violence dynamics including the intersection of systemic injustices, such as racism, sexism, ableism, and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation; healthy relationships; and survivor-centered advocacy approaches.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care and voluntary service delivery models to ensure advocacy services are empowering, strengths-based, and tailored to the survivor’s needs and readiness.
Knowledge of culturally responsive practices and culturally specific organizations to affirm the identities of diverse survivors and reduce systemic barriers to access and healing.
Knowledge of legal, housing, healthcare, and social service systems, including civil court procedures, protection order processes, and online filing tools.
Knowledge of confidentiality and ethical standards governing advocate-survivor relationships and related documentation, reporting, and legal protections, and the ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold legal protections such as advocate privilege and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
Skilled in crisis intervention including de-escalation strategies, trauma-informed care, active listening, risk assessment, suicide prevention, and conflict resolution to provide immediate and appropriate support to individuals in crisis.
Skilled in conducting safety planning and risk assessments to co-develop personalized strategies that reduce harm and enhance immediate and long-term safety.
Skilled in written and verbal communication to clearly document services, communicate with legal and community partners, and foster empathy and trust-based survivor relationships.
Skilled in discussing topics related to domestic and sexual violence, healthy relationships, trauma, and systemic oppression with external partners, community groups, and institutions to increase awareness, facilitate dialogue, and support systemic change.
Skilled in promoting an inclusive and culturally responsive environment to ensure all individuals feel seen, respected, and supported in both service delivery and workplace interactions.
Skilled in interpersonal adaptability and use of emotional intelligence to build trust, strengthen relationships, and collaborate effectively with diverse individuals and cross-sector partners.
Skilled in using Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Outlook, and Excel, to document services, manage communication, and prepare reports.
Skilled in public speaking, facilitation, and community engagement to support outreach, education, and prevention efforts related to domestic and sexual violence.
Skilled in tracking, reporting, and interpreting program data in collaboration with quality assurance teams to support data-informed decision-making and continuous program improvement.
Skilled in recognizing and responding to vicarious trauma and secondary stress and implementing appropriate self-care practices and support-seeking behaviors to maintain personal resilience and effectiveness.
Skilled in community networking and collaboration to build strong partnerships that expand access to resources and improve service coordination for survivors.
Ability to independently manage time, multitask, and adapt to changing circumstances, including transitioning quickly between calm and crisis situations, while maintaining a trauma-informed presence and high-quality service.
Ability to promote a feedback culture that supports inclusivity, psychological safety, and a sense of belonging within the team.
Ability to engage in ongoing learning and adapt to evolving understandings of domestic and sexual violence, systemic oppression, and emerging best practices to strengthen the quality and relevance of services.
Ability to work respectfully with individuals of diverse identities and backgrounds, including collaborating with nonprofit and governmental partners to promote shared goals in advocacy and systems change.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, women’s and gender studies, or a related human services field is preferred.
Experience providing supportive services, advocacy, or case management within community-based, social service, or crisis response settings is strongly preferred.
Experience working with individuals impacted by domestic or sexual violence, or individuals from historically marginalized or underserved communities.
Experience building and sustaining collaborative community partnerships, supporting individuals in navigating complex systems, or delivering culturally responsive services is highly valued.
Candidates must demonstrate a willingness to learn in areas such as housing advocacy, systems navigation, and equitable service delivery, if not already experienced.

Responsibilities

Provides survivor-centered and family-centered confidential advocacy through crisis intervention, safety planning, and emotional support to promote survivor well-being and autonomy in alignment with trauma-informed and voluntary service principles.
Supports survivors through legal processes by explaining procedures in accessible terms and preparing them for legal proceedings.
Conducts comprehensive needs assessments to identify survivor goals, risks, and strengths, and develops individualized plans that enhance safety, stabilization, and connection to appropriate supports.
Offers long-term support to help survivors build toward self-sufficiency and self-advocacy.
Offers systems navigation and resource referrals to internal and external services, such as housing, legal, healthcare, culturally specific organizations, and economic empowerment resources, as well as information concerning survivor rights, protective orders, court processes (including online filing platforms), and other civil and criminal justice resources.
Engages in trauma-informed case management that includes short and long-term support, tracking progress, and adapting plans to evolving survivors' needs to ensure continuity and quality of care.
Bridges the gap between survivors and complex, multi-layered systems by offering consistent emotional support and practical guidance.
Collaborates with community partners and service providers, including court staff, law enforcement, and legal aid, to advocate for survivor access, increase culturally responsive services, and strengthen referral networks.
Maintains accurate and timely documentation of services, case notes, and required reports to ensure compliance with funding and organizational standards and to support data-informed program evaluation.
Supports community engagement and education efforts through outreach, public education, or prevention activities to raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence and available services.
Participates in internal team collaboration and case consultation to ensure consistent application of trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and ethical advocacy practices.
Manages administrative responsibilities such as checking email, responding to phone calls, managing appointment schedules, and maintaining timely documentation.
Engages in regular supervision and program meetings to receive feedback, enhance skills, and contribute to team-based service delivery.
Participates in ongoing training and professional development activities to maintain certification and improve service delivery.
Upholds ethical communication, confidentiality, and survivor privilege protections in accordance with Home Free policies and Oregon law to protect survivors’ safety and agency.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Conduct Safety and Stabilization Assessment pre-screens and assessments via hotline or referral sources to determine survivor eligibility and needs.
Provide short-term case management to survivors with safety planning, advocacy, housing assistance, and emergency services.
Carry a small caseload of survivors seeking shelter or housing and monitor availability at partner programs.
Refer eligible survivors to internal housing programs through coordination with Program Supervisors and Directors.
Support and co-advocate with Home Free staff across programs, including hotline and court services.

Benefits

Medical insurance options with employer-paid premiums covering 71%–89% of employee-only coverage, with employee costs starting at $66.23 per paycheck
Optional dental and vision coverage at employee cost.
Employer-provided life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
403(b) retirement plan with an automatic 5.5% employer contribution after 18 months of employment, regardless of employee contribution.
Generous paid time off (PTO) plan, with accruals of 15 days in the first year, 23 days in the second year, and 26 days in the third year.
80 hours of frontloaded sick time (prorated in the first year), resetting annually on January 1.
10 paid holidays each year, plus 3 personal holidays (prorated in the first year)
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, VOA Oregon is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
Flexible spending accounts
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Access to other voluntary benefits and employee discounts.