CSE Housing Advocate/ Specialist

The Organization for Prostitution Survivors (OPS) will be creating a new Housing Advocate position to support the shelter, housing, and stabilization needs of survivors of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE).

We are looking for an individual with lived or professional experience in CSE and a deep understanding of the sex trade. OPS values passionate self-starters who can utilize best practices in holistic care. This position will be responsible for supporting survivors who are actively seeking and/or adapting shelter and housing but will not have a designated caseload. This role requires meeting with participants off-site throughout King County.

Job Duties

Housing Advocacy

• Work with other OPS staff members to identify participants who require housing services
• Manage referrals from advocates and community partners 
• Remain knowledgeable about shelter and housing opportunities throughout the region, including subsidized and affordable housing, emergency shelter services, and housing assistance opportunities
• Accompany survivors to view housing opportunities, assist in assessing and pursuing housing opportunities, and assist in the transition to housing 
• Refer participants to safe hotel stays through the Safe Stays by ReloShare program
• Provide education around housing life skill development (e.g., signing up for utilities, furnishing a home, paying rent, understanding leases and lease requirements)
• Participate in crisis interventions, case consultations, and debriefs with the Survivor Services team
• Connect participants to relevant in-house and partner services that will support their emergency, housing, and personal development needs
• Take detailed case notes and submit reports by stated deadlines
• Maintain documentation of confidential participant information in internal (e.g., Apricot) and external (e.g., HMIS) data tracking systems
• Other duties as assigned

General

• Participate in the programming of other services such as drop-ins, support groups, participant events, and team meetings.
• Participate in community collaborations and partnerships to ensure the most appropriate and culturally relevant resources and referrals are available for participants.
• Participate in supervision and team meetings as directed by the Director of Survivor Services and/or Executive Director.
• Deliver all services and strategies in a manner that is culturally sensitive and centers the person's strengths and dignity.
• Assist in community-building activities at OPS and throughout the region
• Attend meetings with community and coalition partners as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Empathetic and compassionate listener with the ability to problem-solve
• Ability to stay grounded and calm for participants during a crisis
• Knowledge of substance dependence recovery support
• Experience with empowerment-based advocacy
• Understanding of trauma and the structural/systemic factors that inform it
• Knowledge of gender-based violence, including sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking
• Understanding of systems of oppression, including misogyny, racism, and poverty
• Ready to receive and incorporate feedback to progress as an advocate
• Willingness to participate in bi-weekly Restorative Sessions to discuss critical topics at OPS
• Experience working across differences and problem-solving as a group
• Reliable and flexible, with an understanding of the ways team members impact one another
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Passion for creating social systems change, including the active dismantling of patriarchy, heterosexism, and classism
• Open to new ideas and continuous learning
• A commitment to the mission of OPS and women’s liberation

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Understanding of CSE through lived experience and/or work/education history
• Understanding of incarceration, reentry, and criminal justice systems through lived experience and/or work/education history
• Understanding of homelessness through lived experience and/or work/education history
• Knowledge and experience with local social service systems and resources
• Confidence and experience in general tech and computer skills (OPS primarily uses GSuite and Apricot Social Solutions)
• Experience partnering and networking with agencies
• Proven ability to make sound, proactive decisions in potentially emotionally charged situations and/or in the absence of complete clarity; comfortable utilizing de-escalation skills
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion

Transportation Requirements

This role requires access to reliable transportation and will necessitate regular off-site meetings

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform moderate physical work

Schedule

36-hour work week completed Monday through Friday, with the occasional evening or weekend shift. OPS staff can flex their schedules as needed, but standard work hours are between 10 am-6 pm. OPS employees work a mixture of remote and in-person shifts. In-person work will include duties at our Burien office and outreach/partner meetings in Seattle.

Compensation and Benefits

• $27- 29 per hour DOE
• OPS considers 1 FTE as 36 hours a week
• OPS provides vacation, paid holidays (including a winter break and two floating holidays), unlimited sick leave, wellness and self-care days, and bereavement leave
• OPS provides fully employer-covered medical, dental, STD/LTD insurance, retirement plan, and professional development funds

To Apply

Send a resume and cover letter to leadership@seattleops.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled; priority will be given to applications submitted by September 30, 2024. 

OPS supports inclusion and diversity in all its forms. We strive to create a safe and open atmosphere. We commit to listening to, representing, and embracing diverse perspectives and experiences in all we do. OPS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We seek to provide equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, age, color, religion, gender, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, national origin, or any other characteristic protected under the law. People of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply. We are dedicated to cultivating a diverse workforce that serves and reflects our community. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.