Survivor Advocate II

Position: Survivor Housing Advocate II

Job Class / Grade: Specialist 2 / Coordinator 1, Grade 7

Wage: Starting at $52,488 per year

FLSA; EEO; WC: Non-Exempt;
Professional; 8864

Locations: IRCO Main Office, 10301 NE Glisan St., Portland, OR 97220, and other IRCO Offices based in Portland or Beaverton (Hybrid Schedule)

Employment: Full-Time with Benefits, 1.0 FTE

IRCO’s Housing Stabilization department consists of its Survivor Housing program, which works with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking to identify and place survivors into transitional and long‑term housing; its Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program, which provides comprehensive support to families with children at risk or experiencing homelessness, delivering services to families residing at the Hazel Ying Lee & The Ellington apartments;

and its New Arrivals Housing program, which identifies and places newly arrived refugee families into transitional and long‑term housing. Together, these programs are comprised of teams of Housing Specialists who help clients with emergencies and stabilized housing solutions; case management; strengthening self‑sufficiency; linkages to education and employment opportunities; assistance with accessing grants or other community resources; transportation; and navigating housing issues.

The Survivor Housing Advocate II for IRCO’s Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program is responsible for delivery of housing‑related support and services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking. This role provides case management and resource connection to survivors in the EHV program. The Housing Advocate utilizes a survivor‑centered, strengths‑based, empowerment model to cultivate trust, establish and promote trauma‑informed communication, provide advocacy, direct services and support, and case management that facilitates, encourages, and assists clients to reach their goals.

The Housing Advocate utilizes their experience in the sector to enhance and improve programming, facilitate working groups, and is sometimes called upon to mentor less experienced staff members.

• Possess and apply an impeccable degree of confidentiality and utilize knowledge of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) laws about confidentiality, disclosures, and releases of information
• Collaborate with Multnomah County Housing Services Department (HSD), Home Forward, and partners to support participants referred to in the EHV program
• Conduct eligibility screening, barrier and needs assessments, and referral to appropriate services/agencies as necessary
• Coordinate closely with Home Forward case managers to support and advocate for participants moving through the process of attaining housing
• Provide trauma‑informed advocacy through referral process and transition into the housing program from internal and external direct service providers
• Work with up to 30 clients; collaboratively develop plans for safety, health and wellness, employment and educational placements, and other appropriate services as driven by survivor priorities and goals
• Assist participants in obtaining basic essential household items to set up their new rentals, while abiding program procedures, budgets, and financial processes
• Provide or secure interpretation, translation, and accessibility services

• Continuously contribute to the Housing Team’s network resource of new and existing private landlords, property managers, and other housing options to ensure proper housing for survivors
• Identify prospective safe affordable housing sites and establish relationships with landlords and property managers
• Partner with survivors in barrier reduction, locate housing, support to move in, and engage in housing mediation and/or advocacy as necessary
• Facilitate linkages with educational and employment programs within and outside of IRCO
• Encourage financial empowerment, support participants to increase income and connect with other financial resources, including pursuing child support, TANF, Social Security benefits, Victim Compensation, etc.