Advocate for Youth Survivors of Sex Trafficking

Description

NAYA Family Center is seeking a compassionate, culturally responsive, and survivor-centered Advocate for Youth Survivors of Sex Trafficking to join our Family Services Department and Healing Circle Program. This role provides confidential, culturally specific support to youth ages 12–25 who are at risk of or currently experiencing sexual exploitation or trafficking, with a focus on supporting Native American-identified survivors. As an Advocate, you'll manage a caseload of approximately 10–15 youth and provide comprehensive case management, advocacy, crisis intervention, safety planning, goal setting, life-skills support, and resource navigation. 

You'll work alongside youth to identify their strengths, support their self-determined goals, and help them navigate complex systems including child welfare, courts, criminal justice, housing, health care, education, and employment. You'll use a strengths-based, survivor-led, trauma-informed, harm reduction, and Positive Youth Development approach to support young people in ways that honor their experiences, choices, culture, and goals. This position is ideal for someone who understands the dynamics and root causes of sex trafficking and exploitation and who can build trusting relationships with youth while remaining grounded and effective during moments of crisis. Compensation for this position is $27.00 per hour.

Who You Are

• You have a Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related field or at least two years of experience working with high-risk youth and/or survivors of sex trafficking, domestic violence, or sexual assault. Applicable lived experience may also be considered.
• You have knowledge of local youth services, housing resources, victim services, and community resources.
• You understand the justice system as it relates to survivors of sex trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
• You have knowledge of Native American history and understand the diversity of local American Indian and Alaska Native communities and the Urban Indian experience.
• You have lived or professional experience working with high-risk youth.
• Experience working with survivors of sex trafficking, individuals in the sex trades, and/or unhoused or unstably housed individuals is strongly preferred.
• Experience providing case management or follow-up advocacy is strongly preferred.
• Experience working within a culturally specific program or organization is preferred.
• You have a working knowledge of the dynamics and root causes of sex trafficking, exploitation, domestic violence, and sexual violence, including the distinction between sex work and sex trafficking.
• You can apply harm reduction and Positive Youth Development approaches when supporting high-risk youth.
• You can provide trauma-informed, survivor-led support while helping youth navigate complex systems.
• You are able to remain composed and use sound judgment when responding to acute crises or challenging situations.
• You are organized and able to manage a caseload of approximately 10–15 youth while balancing changing priorities and deadlines.
• You have strong communication and active listening skills and are comfortable communicating with people from diverse backgrounds.
• You have strong computer skills, including email, Microsoft Word, Excel, databases, and web-based research.
• You have completed 40 hours of qualified domestic and sexual violence training or have the ability to complete the training within the first month of employment.
• You have CPR, First Aid, and AED certification or the ability to obtain and maintain these certifications.
• Assertive Engagement (AES) certification is strongly preferred.
• You have a valid Oregon or Washington State Driver License, or are able to obtain one upon hire, and are eligible to be an insured driver under NAYA Family Center's liability insurance policy.
• You are able to successfully complete required background investigations, including fingerprinting and a DHS Background Check Unit review.

What You'll Do

• Manage a caseload of approximately 10–15 youth and provide consistent, high-quality case management and advocacy services.
• Build trusting relationships with youth and support them in identifying and pursuing their self-determined goals.
• Collaboratively assess strengths, needs, and areas of growth and develop individualized action plans.
• Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, advocacy, and resource navigation using culturally responsive, survivor-led, trauma-informed, and harm reduction approaches.
• Support youth with acute safety concerns, court and legal matters, criminal justice system involvement, DHS Child Welfare cases, educational goals, and barriers to stable housing and employment.
• Help youth navigate housing, health care, education, employment, victim services, and other community resources.
• Provide accompaniment and advocacy as youth navigate complex systems and services.
• Complete intakes, goal plans, safety plans, exit forms, and other required participant documentation.
• Maintain accurate digital and paper client files and complete timely case notes and data entry in accordance with program and funding requirements.
• Track and document youth participation, progress, and outcomes.
• Maintain confidentiality and complete VAWA-compliant releases of information as appropriate.
• Disburse client assistance funds and supplies in accordance with funding requirements and program priorities.
• Provide support for hotline coverage and complete related documentation and data entry.
• Coordinate wraparound services with NAYA programs, staff, and community partners.
• Participate in program, department, agency, and community partner meetings.
• Participate in NAYA trainings, cross-departmental projects, and other activities that support program outcomes.
• Represent NAYA professionally at community events and other public-facing opportunities.
• Contribute to a safe, supportive, and secure environment for community members and staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Healing Circle Manager and Family Services Director.

Application Instructions

Providing a cover letter helps us better understand your experience supporting youth and survivors, your connection to this work, and your interest in joining NAYA, so we encourage you to submit one along with your resume. If you need accommodation during the application process, please email jobs@nayapdx.org.

Questions? Want to learn more about this opportunity before applying? We'd be happy to connect you with our Healing Circle Program Manager or Human Resources.