Description:
Since 1896, Volunteers of America Oregon has been dedicated to meeting the needs of our community. Through our innovative programs in behavioral health, addiction treatment, reentry services, and support for children and families, we deliver life-changing services that promote safety, healing, and empowerment. At VOA Oregon, each staff member is part of a compassionate, mission-driven team working collaboratively to create lasting, meaningful, positive change. Every role contributes to the clients we serve and the mission we advance together. This work matters. Are you ready to join an organization committed to service, inclusion, and employee support? Read on to learn more and apply today! Benefits of Joining VOA Oregon Benefits vary based on employment classification. Employees hired into a full-time position are eligible for the benefits outlined below, subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements. Health & Insurance Coverage: 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. Life & Disability Protection: Employer-provided life insurance, along with short- and long-term disability coverage. Retirement & Financial Security: 403(b) retirement plan with an automatic 5.5% employer contribution after 18 months of employment, regardless of employee contribution. Paid Time Off & Work-Life Balance: A 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. Sick Leave: 80 hours of frontloaded sick time (prorated in the first year), resetting annually on January 1. Holidays and Personal Days: 10 paid holidays each year, plus 3 personal holidays (prorated in the first year) to allow employees time off for important holidays, events, or milestones. Student Loan Forgiveness: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, VOA Oregon is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which may help reduce or eliminate federal student loan debt for employees who meet eligibility requirements.
Additional Employee Benefits:
Flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program (EAP), and access to other voluntary benefits and employee discounts.. Position Close Date: September 1st, 2026 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. Essential Job Duties 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. Supervisory Responsibilities This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.
Qualifications:
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. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.
Education & Experience:
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. In addition to the education requirement, this position requires experience providing supportive services, advocacy, or case management within community-based, social service, or crisis response settings is strongly preferred. This includes 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. Certificates, Licenses, and/or Registrations Advocate Privileged State Certification within the first two weeks of hire. Other Eligibility Requirements 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. Travel Requirement This position requires occasional travel related to the job duties above. Travel will primarily consist of day trips within the Portland Metro area for job related activities. Occasional overnight travel may be necessary for training, meetings, or other business needs. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities 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. 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.
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
The physical demands described here must be met by an employee while performing the essential duties of this job. The employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and other office equipment, and communicate effectively in person and by phone. The employee may occasionally be required to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 25 pounds. The work environment characteristics described here may be encountered by an employee while performing the essential duties of this job. The work is primarily performed in a professional office setting with frequent use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and printers. Occasional travel between program sites, partner sites, and to community meetings is required. The noise level is generally low to moderate. Individuals in this role must be able 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. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent(s) of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required for this position. Duties and responsibilities may change with or without notice to meet organizational needs.
