This is a job listing for Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh
About the organization. WC&S is a comprehensive domestic violence program annually serving over 7,500 adult and child survivors of domestic violence & facilitating an intervention program to over 500 people who are abusive. We are advocates, grounded in fostering a community of safety, healing, and empowerment for anyone affected by domestic violence. Our Mission is to strengthen our ability to meet the individual and evolving needs of those affected by domestic violence by investing in the growth of our people, deepening community engagement, and amplifying the voices of all survivors. All staff learn about and support the organization’s mission, vision, and values of Safety, Uplifting Others, Compassion, Courage, Equity, SurvivorCentered Advocacy, and Stewardship.
About the role
As a Direct Service Advocate, you would provide direct service advocacy, safety planning,
emotional support, psychoeducation, case management, and information & referrals to clients of the WC&S Emergency Shelter, 24-Hour Hotline, and Text/Chat.
As a Bilingual Direct Service Advocate who is part of the Refugee, Immigrant, and Limited English Proficiency (RIL) Team, you would focus on working with individuals who are refugees, immigrants, or have limited English proficiency. You will have the ability to effectively work with adults and children who have experienced trauma, handle crises, manage multiple client cases and needs, and be a resourceful problem solver with strong attention to client safety, confidentiality, and wellbeing.
Due to the sensitive nature of our work, it is important that you understand abusive family dynamics, including intimate partner violence (IPV), cycle of abuse, power and control dynamics, and child
abuse and neglect. The successful candidate is knowledgeable in issues related to cultural diversity,
immigration, limited English proficiency, and passionate about serving those experiencing IPV. This role will be based out of the WC&S office.
This role provides you with the opportunity to showcase your active listening, language, cultural competency, and crisis management skills while contributing to the organization’s mission in a variety of ways.
If you are bilingual/multilingual, comfortable building rapport, thinking outside the box, and working with a team to meet ever-changing needs, we are eager to hear from you. WC&S will offer you an environment that provides endless opportunities to advance your knowledge and skills.
Here’s what you’ll do:
- Actively participate in the RIL Team, including attending weekly meetings and making improvements to the quality of WC&S services to this population
- Grow to become a subject matter expert in regards to working with survivors of IPV who are refugees, immigrants, or have limited English proficiency
- Maintain building security and assure confidentiality of clients, residents, and location at all times
- Conduct intake interviews with residents to identify individual needs
- Provide individual advocacy and case management for residents related to ongoing safety planning, goal planning, housing support and advocacy, and more
- Work regularly with residents on meeting basic daily needs
- Facilitate weekly IPV educational support groups for residents
- Prevent and manage crises through rapport building, active listening, mediation, and problem solving
- Provide crisis counseling, safety planning, and information and referrals to Hotline callers and users of Text/Chat
- Assist with training of new staff, volunteers, and interns
- This position requires being available 40 hours per week; the typical schedule is Sunday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with one Friday per month for required meetings.
- Perform other duties as assigned
Here’s what we are looking for:
- Bilingual or multilingual – fluent in speaking, writing, and comprehension is required and the primary requisite for this position.
- Bachelor’s degree in social work/social sciences or related field required.
- 1-3 years experience in direct services or human services field required.
- A demonstration of the understanding of abusive family dynamics, including intimate partner violence, cycle of abuse, power and control dynamic, cultural diversity issues, and child abuse and neglect.
- Ability to establish healthy boundaries, trust, respect, and rapport with adults and children.
- Ability to understand confidentiality and safety procedures.
- Strong command of general technology including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite is required; familiarity and understanding of information technology, including Salesforce, Tableau, and Teams strongly preferred.
- Experience working in organizations with a successful track record in diversity and inclusion cultures preferred.
- Act 33/34 Clearances and FBI Clearances will be required.
About the benefits
WC&S offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including generous
paid time off; health, vision, and dental insurance; short-term and long-term disability coverage; group life insurance; retirement plan; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; paid training and professional development opportunities; and is a Public Service (Student) Loan Forgiveness eligible employer.
This position is also eligible for premium pay for on-site work WC&S is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to ensuring that both applicants and employees are treated without discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity expression, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sexual orientation/identity, citizenship status, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment to all.
TO APPLY:
To ensure consideration for an interview, please send a resume and cover letter via email with the subject line “Bilingual Direct Service Advocate” by December 13 to careers@wcspittsburgh.org