Counselor Advocate

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Long Beach, CA, US

2 days ago Requisition

Organization

YWCA Greater Los Angeles (YWCA GLA) is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YWCA GLA provides direct services, empowerment programming, and advocacy to support marginalized individuals and families, especially women and girls of color, while working to challenge structural barriers to equity.

Position Overview

The Counselor Advocate provides trauma-informed advocacy, crisis intervention, case management, and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking, elder abuse, and other forms of gender-based violence, including women who are justice-involved and system-impacted. This position provides information and referrals, safety planning, advocacy, accompaniment, and resource navigation while participating in the operation of the 24-hour crisis hotline, Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) advocacy, and community outreach.

The Counselor Advocate works collaboratively with internal staff and community partners to promote survivor safety, healing, stability, and empowerment while advancing the mission of YWCA Greater Los Angeles.

Statement of Duties

• Provide trauma-informed advocacy, crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals, accompaniment, and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking, elder abuse, and other forms of gender-based violence, including women who are justice-involved and system-impacted.
• Conduct participant intakes, assess immediate needs, develop individualized service plans, and coordinate ongoing case management services in collaboration with clinical staff, as appropriate.
• Educate participants on victims' rights, reporting options, the criminal and civil justice systems, campus adjudication processes, victim compensation, restraining orders, and other legal protections and available resources.
• Coordinate referrals and link participants to community resources, including medical and behavioral healthcare, substance use treatment, public benefits, housing, employment, education, transportation, legal services, and other supportive services.
• Maintain regular contact with assigned participants to monitor progress, support goal achievement, provide life skills development, and address barriers to self-sufficiency and safety.
• Participate in the operation of the 24-hour crisis hotline and provide Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) advocacy, hospital accompaniment, court accompaniment, and other systems advocacy as assigned.
• Evaluate participant progress, assist with program evaluation, collect outcome data, prepare reports, and provide recommendations to support continuous program improvement.
• Conduct community outreach, assist with participant recruitment, represent YWCA GLA at community meetings and events, and support the development of educational and promotional materials.
• Collaborate with program staff, therapists, community partners, and multidisciplinary teams to coordinate participant services and ensure continuity of care.
• Attend required meetings, trainings, and professional development activities, provide coverage during staff absences as needed, and devote approximately 80% of work time to direct service activities in accordance with program work plans.
• Maintain participant privacy and confidentiality, report relevant program information to the Program Manager and Director, and perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required
• Associate degree in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Criminal Justice or related field preferred
• One (1) year of paid, volunteer, internship, or lived experience working with survivors, vulnerable populations, or in human services preferred.
• California Certification for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Advocate training. Current certification required or must be obtained as a condition of…