La Vida-Youth Trafficking

Schedule: Full time, 37.5 hours/week, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm, with some evening and/or weekend hours

Summary

Reporting to the Director of Human Trafficking Services, the Bilingual Support Specialist will provide free, voluntary, and confidential case management, wraparound service planning, individual and group counseling, and systems navigation in support of survivors’ self-identified needs. Highly effective Support Specialists generally have extensive knowledge of community-based services on which to rely when making referrals for mental health, housing, immigration, and education resources.

Expectations of all employees

• Demonstrate commitment to the YWCA’s mission and principles of trauma-informed work.
• Represent the YWCA in a professional and competent manner to participants, community members, organizational partners, and others.
• Reflect on and interrupt assumptions, personal and systemic biases, and sources of power when interacting or communicating with colleagues, clients, and external partners.
• Support policies, practices, and decisions that demonstrate our shared accountability for racial equity.
• Perform quality work within program guidelines and deadlines.
• Work effectively as a team contributor and foster a positive working environment.
• Work independently while understanding the need for communication and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.

Essential Responsibilities

• Conduct intakes, screenings, and assessments of trafficking survivors’ while providing supported referrals for additional services (e.g., health, dental health, legal/immigration advocacy, educational support).
• Provide confidential case management, wraparound service planning, and systems navigation to assist survivors and their families when interacting with complex social service, health service, criminal justice, and/or immigration systems.
• Develop and update, as needed, safety plans with survivors.
• Ensure survivors’ access to family support and reunification services.
• In conjunction with case management and advocacy, promote survivors’ continual development of life skills.
• Ensure survivors’ access to YW resources for food, clothing, and other daily necessities.
• Provide transportation assistance utilizing agency resources (e.g., program van).
• Provide interpretation / translation and documentation assistance.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and community partners to ensure the communication, documentation, and coordination of service responses while promoting survivor outcomes.
• Document client interactions in accordance with program guidelines.
• Contribute to the timely development and submission of regular reports as required by grantors and other stakeholders.
• Participate in regular staff meetings.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

Qualifications 

• Associates Degree with 3 years of direct experience in human services field; Bachelor’s with 1 year direct experience in human services field preferred;
• Experience working with survivors of gender-based violence and exploitation;
• Lived experience as a survivor of youth trafficking preferred;
• Experience addressing the impacts of decisions and actions on multiple communities;
• Understanding of both interpersonal and structural racism and bias;
• Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) language proficiency required;
• Strong teamwork, organizational and communication skills;
• Knowledge of/contacts with youth-based community services;
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation; and
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt