Schedule
Full Time (40 Hours/Week)
Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm
Women’s Night - Wednesdays 6-9 PM
Agency Summary:
Aurora Commons cultivates belonging and community to foster health and healing among neighbors experiencing poverty and homelessness. Guided by our values of hospitality, connection, and empowerment, we strive to co-create an equitable third space where people feel seen, heard & valued.
Position Summary:
Reporting to the Program Manager, the CSE Community Advocate provides trauma-informed, relationship-centered advocacy services for neighbors who may be experiencing Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Sexual Assault (SA), homelessness, poverty, addiction, mental health challenges, or other complex traumas. This role works within Aurora Commons’ Program spaces to build trusting relationships, provide advocacy and light case management support, connect neighbors to resources and services, and assist individuals in identifying and pursuing self-directed goals.
The CSE Community Advocate works collaboratively with Aurora Commons staff, Harborview clinic staff, service providers, and community organizations to support holistic and responsive care for neighbors. This role balances relational advocacy, crisis response, documentation, community engagement, and coordinated service navigation within a low-barrier, trauma-informed environment.
The successful candidate will:
- Have a self-motivated work ethic and an interest in contributing to growing our advocacy program to better serve our neighbors that come to us for services
- Have great organizational and administrative skills and be able to balance the work of relational advocacy with the required reporting and case notes.
- Have excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with people from all backgrounds and convey complex thoughts and ideas.
- Demonstrate a high level of professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues including those related to our guests.
- Model self-care, inclusiveness, and compassion for neighbors, staff, and other stakeholders.
- Have experience working with and deep compassion for people experiencing homelessness.
- Have a deep understanding of CSE, GBV, and the barriers faced by our neighbors experiencing these realities.
- Be committed to and consistently prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Responsibilities for the CSE Community Advocate: The following responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work performed in this role and are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties. Responsibilities may evolve or change based on organizational, operational, and community needs. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.
Advocacy & Case Management Support
- Provide trauma-informed, strengths-based, and person-centered advocacy and light case management services for Aurora Commons participants.
- Build authentic and trusting relationships with neighbors while maintaining professional boundaries through consistent, relationship-centered advocacy and engagement.
- Work with program staff to proactively engage neighbors accessing Drop-In services and support individuals experiencing CSE, GBV, SA, homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, and complex trauma, with a focus on CSE, GBV & SA survivors.
- Conduct intakes, support individualized goal planning, maintain timely progress notes, and assist neighbors in accessing services and resources aligned with their self-identified goals.
- Coordinate referrals and connections to housing, healthcare, behavioral health, legal services, benefits, identification assistance, and other community resources.
- Maintain an active advocacy caseload and provide ongoing follow-up and support as appropriate.
Crisis Response & Trauma-Informed Support
- Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, stabilization, and de-escalation for neighbors experiencing emotional distress or crisis situations.
- Utilize trauma-informed prevention and de-escalation strategies to help maintain safety and stability within the Commons space.
- Respond calmly, compassionately, and professionally to escalated situations while maintaining appropriate boundaries and safety practices.
- Maintain awareness of the impacts of complex trauma, exploitation, violence, and systemic inequities on individuals accessing services.
- Support a low-barrier, welcoming, and relationship-centered environment grounded in dignity, empowerment, and harm reduction principles.
Community Engagement & Program Support
- Support Drop-In programming, Women’s Night programming, other community activities and special events as needed.
- Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to support other program roles and operational needs as needed to ensure continuity of services and a welcoming community environment.
- Participate in relationship-building and community engagement efforts that strengthen trust and belonging within the Aurora Commons space.
- Work collaboratively with Harborview Clinic Staff, partner organizations, outreach teams, and other providers to support coordinated care for neighbors.
- Maintain familiarity with community resources and referral systems available throughout Seattle, King County and State of Washington & and share relevant resource information with program staff to support coordinated care.
Documentation, Reporting & Administrative Support
- Maintain accurate, organized, and timely case notes, files, referrals, and advocacy documentation using Aurora Commons’ case management systems.
- Assist with reporting, and grant-related documentation as requested.
- Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries in accordance with organizational policies and ethical standards.
- Communicate regularly with staff and leadership through Slack, meetings, and organizational communication systems regarding advocacy needs, safety concerns, and operational coordination.
- Participate in staff meetings, trainings, coalition meetings, and professional development opportunities.
Team Collaboration & Organizational Support
- Work collaboratively with program staff, leadership, volunteers, and community partners to support Aurora Commons’ mission and philosophy of care.
- Support a collaborative, trauma-informed, and community-centered workplace culture.
- Support organizational events, special programming, and cross-team initiatives as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in related field (social work, mental health, etc.) OR 2+ years working with vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness, addiction, and/or mental illness OR lived experience with any of these realities.
- Knowledgeable on the topics of homelessness and drug dependency.
- Knowledgeable on complex trauma and the impact of complex trauma on the brain.
- Knowledgeable about commercial sexual exploitation and gender-based violence.
- Professional experience with trauma-informed care.
- Ability to respond to crisis and/or escalated behavior with calm and confidence.
- Detail oriented.
- Ability to problem-solve creatively and under pressure.
- Excellent verbal communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, and demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications
- Reliable transportation
- Fluent in Spanish
- Experience with case management
- Familiarity with relevant community resources available in Seattle and King County
Please submit a resume and cover letter and make sure you answer all the screening questions.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Aurora Commons is committed to diversity in the workplace and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $27.50 - $30.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Application Question(s):
- How many years of experience do you have working with people experiencing homelessness? Please share a little about this experience either here or in your cover letter.
- What do you believe are some of the root causes of homelessness?
Experience:
- Social Work or Case Management: 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Seattle, WA 98103 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Seattle, WA 98103: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
