YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley

Position Title: Latinx Victim Advocate

Supervisor: Assistant Director of Victim Services

Job Type: Full-Time (37.5 hours weekly), Salary

Overview:

YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women in East Tennessee. We live this mission every day in six counties, bringing lifesaving and life-changing services and transforming our communities. Our values, rooted in an intersectional mission of antiracism, promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. YWCA leads initiatives for women who would otherwise be homeless, survivors of domestic violence, families, and young people across the region. Our dynamic workplace promotes excellence and balance and places high value on innovation, collaboration, and growth. Join us!

Job Description:

Under the general supervision of the Assistant Director of Victim Services, provides victim advocacy services including trauma-responsive court, community, and personal advocacy; Danger Assessment; safety planning; crisis intervention; resource linkage; and support group services to Latinx victims in Knox and Anderson Counties. Acts as a community and professional resource to ensure that the needs of the victims and the program are met. Implements activities and events to promote and meet the mission and goals of YWCA.

The successful candidate will have experience working with the Latinx population and have lived experience within the community. Must be fluent in English and Spanish.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Using knowledge of YWCA programs and policies, promotes YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley’s Mission Statement in the community and interacts with other YWCA personnel, volunteers, and staff to meet the goals of the program. Participates in YWCA activities as required.
• Recruits, develops, and maintains positive relationships with community partners. Ensures successful execution of programming in alignment with program design.
• In collaboration with the Knoxville and Anderson County Family Justice Centers, court system, community, and partners; identifies and supports victims and their children through identification of resources, rights, and domestic violence related services.
• Works with Family Justice Center, partners, law enforcement, the courts, government entities, and others to assure victims are receiving the highest quality of support as they negotiate these systems.
• Provides a confidential environment for victims to process their needs, free of judgement or expectation for victims to follow-through on services.
• Offers support through Order of Protection filing, emergency shelter linkage, resources for basic needs, and referrals to other YWCA programs.
• Advocates for victims to maintain their autonomy in deciding the best route for themselves through the legal system, with or without law enforcement and/or court involvement.
• Trains, teaches, and guides staff, community members, and fellow partners in the implementation of domestic violence related program activities using best practices.
• Works closely with local Latinx organizations to accept referrals, provide support, and offer ongoing resource linkage to clients utilizing their services.
• Provides professional development and training opportunities to YWCA staff and the larger community on Latinx specific victim needs and considerations.
• Attends workshops, community initiatives, collaborative meetings, and events to advance the work of domestic violence victim advocacy.
• Works collaboratively as an integral part of the YWCA Victim Services team, offering guidance and support to other victim advocates.
• Keeps thorough and organized documentation of caseload efforts and executes accurate data collection to ensure effective, data-driven program implementation.
• Attends scheduled staff and agency wide meetings and weekly supervision with direct supervisor.
• Assists the Assistant Director of Victim Services in special projects as requested and understands flexibility is a key component of the position.
• Assures that confidentiality is maintained regarding all client information and agency proprietary information, including but not limited to record storage, organization, and maintenance in compliance with VAWA, HIPAA, and other confidentiality policies, laws, and requirements.
• Reliable transportation is required to meet with families in the community.
• Other duties as assigned.

Pay Information: $40,000/year

Schedule:

• 5 hours weekly
• Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm, 30-minute unpaid break during shift

Work Locations:

• 420 W. Clinch Ave., Knoxville 37902
• 1660 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge 37830
• 400 Harriet Tubman St., Knoxville 37915
• 301 W. Broadway Ave., Oak Ridge 37830

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability and Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Competitive Retirement Plan
• Generous PTO including 10 holidays (plys the week between Christmas and New Years Day), Sick Leave, Mental Health Days, and Vacation Time

Preferred Qualifications:

• Passion about working in an organization that values and promotes antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Embraces and actively promotes an inclusive and equitable work environment for all.
• Strong attention to detail, excellent judgment, and the ability to work without close supervision.
• Minimum education for this position is a bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, or a related field of study. Candidates with high school diploma and 5+ years of experience may be considered. Lived experience relevant to this role may also be considered in lieu of educational experience.
• Experience providing case management, trauma-informed, and trauma-responsive models.
• Experience in domestic violence victim assistance/legal advocacy.
• Knowledge of and experience in Knox and Anderson County resources and services.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Requires skills and life experiences that indicate sensitivity to domestic and sexual violence and individuals with significant barriers.
• Requires possession of organizational, numerical, communication, computer, and interpersonal skills.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is necessary.

YWCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and United Way Community Partner. In line with our mission, YWCA is a safe and welcoming environment for clients, partners, and employees. We actively pursue diversity in our team members and are committed to personal and professional growth in areas of racial and social justice, including racial equity, justice, and healing; gender identity and sexual orientation; religion; immigration; and intersectionality. Women, historically excluded populations, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

TO APPLY: please provide a resume (including references), a cover letter, and a completed YWCA application form (available at www.ywcaknox.com) delivered in person, or via US or other mail service, or by email to:

HR Department

YWCA Knoxville

420 West Clinch Avenue

Knoxville, TN 37902

Email: nstair@ywcaknox.com