Youth Advocate – Bilingual

Reporting to the Youth Advocacy Manager, the Youth Advocate is responsible for providing trauma-informed crisis intervention, advocacy, intensive case management, outreach, and coordinated support services to youth survivors of commercial sexual exploitation (CSEY), human trafficking, and their non-offending caregivers throughout The Landing's eight-county service region. The Youth Advocate serves as a primary field-based responder, providing immediate crisis intervention, safety planning, advocacy, and case coordination following referrals received from law enforcement, DFPS, Children's Advocacy Centers, hospitals, juvenile justice agencies, schools, prosecutors, community partners, and multidisciplinary teams.

This position requires independent decision-making, excellent professional judgment, extensive travel throughout Southeast Texas, and the ability to effectively manage crisis situations while maintaining a survivor-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach to service delivery. The Youth Advocate works collaboratively with multidisciplinary partners to ensure youth and caregivers receive comprehensive services that promote safety, stabilization, healing, and long-term recovery. Participation in a 24-hour on-call crisis response rotation, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, is required.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position.

• Provide trauma-informed advocacy and crisis intervention for youth survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, including responding to crisis referrals and participating in a 24/7 on-call rotation.
• Support clients and caregivers by conducting needs assessments, developing safety and service plans, offering emotional support, and connecting them with appropriate community resources.
• Coordinate case management by maintaining an active caseload, monitoring client progress, documenting services, and ensuring timely referrals for medical, mental health, housing, legal, educational, and other support services.
• Advocate for clients throughout medical, legal, child welfare, educational, and court processes while empowering youth through survivor-centered, strengths-based practices.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary partners, including law enforcement, DFPS, healthcare providers, schools, Children's Advocacy Centers, and community organizations to coordinate comprehensive care.
• Deliver regional field-based services across an eight-county service area, including travel to hospitals, schools, shelters, detention centers, and other community locations.
• Conduct community outreach and prevention education by presenting on human trafficking, internet safety, healthy relationships, and exploitation prevention while building partnerships with community stakeholders.
• Maintain professionalism and compliance by protecting client confidentiality, participating in ongoing training, representing the organization at community events, and ensuring accurate case documentation in agency databases.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Criminal Justice, or a related field required.
• Master's Degree preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) required.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience working with youth or vulnerable populations required.
• Experience in victim services, child welfare, juvenile justice, crisis intervention, or human trafficking preferred.
• Valid Texas Driver's License.
• Current automobile insurance.
• Reliable personal vehicle.
• Ability to travel extensively throughout the eight-county service area.
• Ability to successfully complete required background checks.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and participate in a rotating 24-hour on-call schedule.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• Frequent travel throughout the service region.
• Ability to transport clients when necessary.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and driving.
• Ability to respond safely in crisis and emergency situations.