Bilingual Advocate
Reports To: Advocacy Services Manager Team: DAC
Benefits: Full-time, health, dental, vision insurance, Vacation/Sick leave, Simple IRA, Non-exempt status
Serving: Office location in Sioux Center, IA serving Lyon and Sioux counties with being a back-up for Osceola and O'Brien counties
Position Summary:
The Bilingual Advocate is responsible for providing trauma-informed, survivor-centered victim services to survivors of domestic abuse, homicide, and all victims of violent crime, with an emphasis on serving Spanish-speaking clients and communities. Additionally, the advocate conducts community outreach, training, and awareness initiatives to strengthen resources for survivors and enhance public understanding of victim needs furthering the impact of the agency’s mission.
Key Responsibilities:
Direct Client Services & Advocacy
- Provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered support and case management for survivors of all other violent crimes. Respond promptly to crisis calls, ensuring survivors receive immediate safety planning and emotional support.
- Assist survivors with protection orders, Crime Victim Compensation applications, and legal advocacy.
- Accompany survivors to court hearings, law enforcement interviews, and medical appointments for emotional and procedural support. Connect survivors with community resources.
- Provide verbal and written interpretation and translation in Spanish and English as needed during client interactions, documentation, and community outreach.
- Ensure language access for limited English proficient (LEP) clients by facilitating clear communication and understanding of services and rights.
- Provide in-home services and mobile advocacy when deemed safe and appropriate.
- Establish and uphold clear professional boundaries with clients, following ethical guidelines and organizational policies. Ensure all interactions remain respectful, professional, and focused on client well-being while maintaining confidentiality and avoiding conflicts of interest.
- Maintain a minimum of 60% direct service hours per month supporting victims.
- Participate in on-call rotations, providing crisis response for seven-day periods, including holidays (if applicable).
- Flexibility to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Case Management & Documentation
- Manage incoming crisis calls and walk-ins, ensuring proper assessment and documentation.
- Complete intakes, service logs, needs assessments, confidentiality agreements, and referrals accurately.
- Ensure timely data entry into the agency’s confidential database.
- Maintain confidential and complete case records, ensuring timely entry into the agency’s database for compliance and reporting.
- Follow all agency policies, confidentiality laws, and grant requirements.
Community Outreach & Public Awareness
- Conduct public speaking engagements and presentations to increase awareness of homicide and other violent crimes, domestic violence, trafficking, and victim services. Assist in distributing educational materials and resources for public awareness campaigns.
- Develop and maintain relationships with referral agencies, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and social service organizations to enhance community response to victim services.
- Represent the agency at community meetings, outreach events, and collaborative initiatives.
- Assist with fundraising and awareness efforts, including selling raffle tickets, attending vendor fairs, and supporting agency events.
Training & Professional Development
- Attend staff meetings, case conferences, and required training sessions.
- Successfully complete mandatory 20-hour victim counselor training upon hire.
- Complete all required training certifications, including the Homicide and Violent Crimes Certification within one year of employment.
- Engage in ongoing training and development to stay current on best practices in victim advocacy.
Staff Wellness & Support
- Prioritize self-care and seek support when experiencing work-related crises or vicarious trauma by utilizing available mental health resources, participating in debriefings, and implementing personalized self-care strategies.
- Communicate effectively with staff and supervisors to foster a supportive work environment, ensure clarity in expectations, and promote collaboration to enhance victim services.
- Adhere to all Family Crisis Centers’ policies, procedures, and confidentiality.
- Adapt to evolving organizational needs by taking on additional responsibilities as necessary.
- Support agency-wide initiatives and assist with special projects as needed.
Qualifications:
- Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in human service related field or equivalent professional and personal experience.
- Bilingual in Spanish and English required. Must be able to read, write, speak, and interpret in both languages.
- Experience in crisis intervention, victim advocacy, or case management preferred.
- Skills & Competencies: Fluency in both spoken and written Spanish and English, with the ability to effectively interpret and translate in real-time.
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- Strong ability to respond effectively in crisis situations and establish trust with survivors. Excellent public speaking, written communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and maintain organized client records.
- Training & Certification: Must complete mandatory victim advocate training within 30 days of employment and fulfill on-going certification requirements.
- Travel Requirements: Willingness to travel frequently for client support, outreach, and training.
- Background Requirements: Must pass all required background checks, including/not limited to:
- Criminal and child/dependent adult abuse background checks
- Sex Offender Registry clearance
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and adequate motor vehicle insurance.
FCC is an equal opportunity employer. FCC is fair and impartial in all of its relations with its employees and applicants for employment and makes all employment related decisions without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status, parental responsibility, language, national origin, age, health status (including HIV-positive), physical or mental disability, or any other categories protected by federal, state, or local law.
