Community Legal Advocate, Gender Based Violence

Why work with YWCA Seattle King Snohomish?

YWCA SKS is the region’s largest non-profit organization with a 120+ year legacy, focused on the needs of women, with programs serving 7,000 people each year. When you work with YWCA, you make a difference.

We’re women and BIPOC-led, family-centered, and supportive of employees. As a full-time YWCA employee (30+ hours), you’ll enjoy a benefits package including medical insurance, generous vacation, holiday, sick leave plans, and an outstanding retirement plan. Put your passion for racial equity and social justice to work – apply today!

What You'll Do

The Legal Advocate works within Gender-Based Violence Services at YWCA and provides culturally relevant services that are designed to meet the needs of survivors of domestic violence/sexual assault and commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). As a Legal Advocate, you will provide legal advocacy to adult survivors which may include support with protection orders, family law, CPS, housing navigation, safety planning, life skills, and employment.  You will use a model of best practice trauma-informed advocacy with a strength-based approach.

NOTE: This position is fully onsite at YWCA Offices

• Support clients in navigating the civil and legal systems including assistance with filing protection orders, breaking leases, relocations, CPS, and interactions with law enforcement
• Personally accompany clients to court and/or clerk’s office as needed
• Responds to referrals and calls within the required time frame
• Conducts intakes with new clients, including screening for eligibility and determining legal needs
• Provide legal and crisis intervention advocacy
• Collects and completed reporting and quarterly narratives using data and statistical information
• Develops and maintains relations with community partners and attends community meetings.
• Facilitate and create presentations that are relevant to associated partners and offer services
• Engage in community networking activities to both increase access to services for survivors furthest away from opportunity specifically Black and African American survivors.
• Maintain 20 hours of continuing education hours about advocacy-based Domestic Violence
• Actively engages in agency-wide Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) and strives for racially equitable outcomes; takes responsibility for creating and maintaining a safe and welcoming community by making room for populations who routinely encounter system oppression
• Development and implementing legal information sessions.

• Strong orientation and familiarity toward legal advocacy, with experience navigating multiple systems (i.e., municipal, superior courts, legal systems, and law enforcement)
• One year of direct social service experience or translatable lived experience in lieu of degree.
• Knowledge of working with survivors that have experienced gender-based violence, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking
• Demonstrated understanding of the intersection of racism and poverty, specifically for African Americans and other women of color
• Valid Drivers License and ability to travel independently between multiple work sites within a day
• Willingness to complete a minimum of 20 hours of initial basic training that covers: advocacy-base counseling, history of domestic violence, safety planning, and crisis intervention

• Continuously exchanges information through listening and talking with clients, agency staff, employers, representatives of community organizations, and other individuals in the community
• Frequently stands, walks, sits, and climbs in performing duties in the workspace and in the community
• Continuous use of telephones, computers, fax machines, and other office equipment and supplies
• Occasionally must access personal living spaces within multi-level apartment complexes
• Frequent travel up to 50% of the time by personal vehicle
• *Continuously = Over 80% of the time * Frequently = 20-80% * Occasionally = Under 20%

YWCA encourages applicants with a variety of experiences to apply!

At YWCA, we recognize that lived expertise is a powerful asset. This refers to the insights, knowledge, and skills developed by those who have navigated systems and experienced inequity.

Valuing lived expertise helps build trust with program participants, develop culturally responsive programs, and break down barriers to equity. It enriches our collective understanding and enhances our ability to serve communities that are furthest from opportunity.

Mental Health Considerations

All employees of the YWCA interact with clients who have experienced or are experiencing trauma in various forms, including but not limited to, racial trauma, domestic violence, sexual violence, homelessness, unemployment, and financial hardship. As a result, employees are at risk of secondary trauma. We encourage employees to seek support inside and outside the workplace and maintain self-care routines.

Equal Opportunity Employment

YWCA Seattle King Snohomish is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  To read more about this, view the EEO is the Law Poster and this EEO is the Law Poster Supplement.

For more information

Contact us at careers@ywcaworks.org with any questions or if you need accommodation for your application.