Bilingual Advocate Reports To
- Advocacy
- Services
- Manager
- Team: Integrated Advocacy Services (IAS)
Benefits
Full-time, health, dental, vision insurance, Vacation/Sick Leave, Simple IRA, Non-Exempt status Office Location: Spencer, IA but will serve multiple surrounding counties
Position Summary
The Bilingual Advocate in the Integrated Advocacy Services (IAS) Division provides on-site crisis intervention, advocacy, and support for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, homicide, and other violent crimes. Based in a medical or similar facility, this position emphasizes immediate response, survivor-centered care, and resource coordination to ensure comprehensive support for victims. The advocate also conducts community outreach, education, and collaboration to enhance advocacy services. Fluency in Spanish is essential, as this role includes a strong focus on serving Spanish-speaking survivors and communities with trauma-informed, culturally responsive services.
Key Responsibilities
Direct Client Services & Advocacy Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and survivor-centered support in medical and community settings. Provide verbal and written interpretation and translation in Spanish and English as needed during client interactions, documentation, and community outreach. Ensure language access for limited English proficient (LEP) clients by facilitating clear communication and understanding of services and rights. Respond to referrals from clinic staff, law enforcement, or external agencies, ensuring timely assistance. Assess and address immediate crisis needs, prioritizing survivor safety and well-being. Accompany survivors to medical exams, law enforcement interviews, court hearings, and other essential services. Advocate on behalf of survivors with police, prosecutors, medical providers, public benefits agencies, and other service organizations. Establish and uphold clear professional boundaries with clients, following ethical guidelines and organizational policies. Ensure all interactions remain respectful, professional, and focused on client well-being while maintaining confidentiality and avoiding conflicts of interest. Maintain direct service hours per month supporting victims. Participate in on-call rotations, providing crisis response for seven-day periods, including holidays (if applicable). Flexibility to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. Case Management & Documentation Manage incoming crisis calls and walk-ins, ensuring proper assessment and documentation. Complete intakes, service logs, needs assessments, confidentiality agreements, and referrals accurately. Maintain confidential and complete case records, ensuring timely data entry into the agency’s database for compliance and reporting. Follow all agency policies, confidentiality laws, and grant requirements. Community Outreach & Education Educate survivors on the dynamics of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and available resources. Develop and maintain partnerships with referral agencies, medical providers, and social service organizations to enhance survivor support. Conduct community outreach and education, providing training and awareness presentations to healthcare providers, law enforcement, schools, and community organizations. Represent the agency at community meetings, coalition events, and advocacy initiatives. Assist with fundraising and awareness efforts, including attending vendor fairs, selling raffle tickets, and participating in agency events. Training & Professional Development Attend staff meetings, case conferences, and required training sessions. Successfully complete mandatory 20-hour victim counselor training upon hire. Complete all required training certifications, including the Iowa Domestic Violence Victim Counselor Certification and any others within one year of employment. Engage in ongoing training and development to stay current on best practices in victim advocacy. Staff Wellness & Support Prioritize self-care and seek support when experiencing work-related crises or vicarious trauma by utilizing available mental health resources, participating in debriefings, and implementing personalized self-care strategies. Communicate effectively with staff and supervisors to foster a supportive work environment, ensure clarity in expectations, and promote collaboration to enhance victim services. Adhere to all Family Crisis Centers’ policies, procedures, and confidentiality. Adapt to evolving organizational needs by taking on additional responsibilities as necessary. Support agency-wide initiatives and assist with special projects as needed.
Qualifications
Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in human service related field or equivalent professional and personal experience. Experience in crisis intervention, victim advocacy, or case management preferred. Bilingual in Spanish and English required. Must be able to read, write, speak, and interpret in both languages. Fluency in both spoken and written Spanish and English, with the ability to effectively interpret and translate in real-time. Skills & Competencies: Strong ability to respond effectively in crisis situations and establish trust with survivors. Excellent public speaking, written communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and maintain organized client records. Training & Certification: Must complete mandatory victim advocate training within 30 days of employment and fulfill on-going certification requirements. Travel Requirements: Willingness to travel frequently for client support, outreach, and training. Background Requirements: Must pass all required background checks, including/not limited to: Criminal and child/dependent adult abuse background checks Sex Offender Registry clearance Must possess a valid driver’s license and adequate motor vehicle insurance. FCC is an equal opportunity employer. FCC is fair and impartial in all of its relations with its employees and applicants for employment and makes all employment related decisions without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status, parental responsibility, language, national origin, age, health status (including HIV-positive), physical or mental disability, or any other categories protected by federal, state, or local law.
