Advocate (Bilingual or Non-Bilingual)

Job Description

Job Title:  Advocate (Bilingual or Non-Bilingual)

Department: Client Support Services

Reports To: Advocacy Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classification:  Full-time

Revised: July 2025

Summary: 

The Advocate is responsible for providing support, advocacy, referrals, and assistance to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and stalking. This position is 100% devoted to direct client services, which include: crisis intervention, safety planning, documentation, hotline response, community outreach, facilitating support groups, job-related training, and participation in internal WCA meetings.

Advocates collaborate with WCA team members and partner agencies to ensure a seamless, trauma-informed response to survivors’ needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide client-centered services in person, by phone, and in the community (e.g., hospital, court, or other settings).
• Deliver crisis intervention and safety planning tailored to each client’s unique situation.
• Respond in person to clients at the hospital or other designated locations as needed.
• Support clients navigating systems such as healthcare, legal, criminal justice, and social services.
• Assist clients with obtaining emergency shelter, financial assistance, and other basic needs.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of community resources and contribute to resource lists.
• Facilitate client groups on topics such as boundaries, self-care, coping strategies, and self-esteem.
• Present information about WCA services to community partners and at outreach events.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation in client files and databases; support clients with forms and applications as needed.
• Provide community education and outreach specifically aimed at reaching survivors.
• Serve in an on-call capacity to respond to walk-ins, hotline calls, and client crises; collaborate with WCA staff and partners to meet client needs.
• Attend regular WCA staff meetings and training.
• Complete new employee orientation and a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education annually.
• For bilingual advocates: Fluency in Spanish and English is required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience:

• Minimum 6 months to 1 year of experience in a human services role (volunteer or paid) required.
• A Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• WCA values both formal education and personal lived experience in human services.

Qualifications:

• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Commitment to providing inclusive, trauma-informed, survivor-centered services.
• For bilingual advocates: Fluency in both Spanish and English.
• Understanding of the impact of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.
• Strong problem-solving and crisis management skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs and client database systems.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Reliable transportation for client meetings and community engagement.
• Commitment to confidentiality and adherence to HIPAA standards.
• Regular and predictable attendance is essential.
• Passion for and commitment to the mission and values of the WCA.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee will be in a normal office environment while performing the duties of this job and will be required to sit, stand, walk and occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Additionally, employees will be required to travel to other locations to conduct company business.

WCA is an E-Verify employer and will provide the necessary information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.