Youth Mentor for Survivors of Sex Trafficking (Part-time)

El Programa Hispano Católico (EPHC) is an organization that supports individuals in reaching their fullest potential. For nearly 40 years, our mission has been to advance racial equity and social justice through the power of our Latine roots, culture, and community. This mission drives our work in addressing the social determinants of health through program areas: Housing, Economic Sustainability, Education, Community Wellness, and DV/SA Prevention and Intervention. Today, EPHC serves more than 30,000 people annually and employs over 100 staff members, the majority of whom are bilingual and over 93% are bicultural. Although EPHC is affiliated with the Catholic Charities Network, candidates or participants do not need to be Catholic to work with us or receive services.

Benefits

• Vacation & Sick Time Benefits
• Paid Holidays
• 401k with Employer Contribution
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bonus Wellness Days
• Continuous Growth and Development Opportunities
• Opportunities to serve your community and make a positive impact

About The Role

UNICA is a program within El Programa Hispano Católico that provides prevention and intervention services to survivors of domestic, sexual violence, and trafficking. The goal of the program is to provide support, advocacy, and opportunity for self-empowerment that enables survivors to exercise free and informed life choices. UNICA operates the UNICA Crisis Line, the first and only 24-hour DV/SA Crisis Line in Spanish in Multnomah County and the state of Oregon.

The Youth Mentor works closely with other New Avenues and UNICA staff and community partners developing and implementing an innovative, adaptable, survivor-centered, co-advocacy service model for commercially and sexually exploited youth across Multnomah County. They will serve youth ages 12-25 that are at risk of, or currently being, sexually exploited or trafficked. Using a positive youth development and trauma-informed approach, the work will focus on prevention, intervention, and transition through harm reduction and life skill development & support.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for rapid, mobile response to youth referrals. At times, this position is expected to work outside of normal business hours.
• Using a harm reduction and assertive engagement model, keep youth engaged at multiple levels, allowing youth to access services at their own pace over time.
• Engage and administer a range of assessments to determine youth’s current skills and areas for internal growth.
• Integrate results into a comprehensive action plan based on the youth’s input and timeline that will guide your work.
• Accompany youth to community events and activities associated with their action plan.
• Utilize traditional and non-traditional methods of education to engage youth in the program and identify school, work, and life-related goals and plans.
• Work with trafficking-specific Child Protective Services workers, Parole Officers, or other system partners when a young person is involved in multiple systems.
• Caseload may also include parents who are survivors and have children involved in the child welfare system with the goal of preventing generational trafficking.
• Outreach as coordinated with team and manager.
• Attend stakeholder meetings as coordinated with manager.
• Provide trainings for staff, community partners, and other service providers as coordinated with manager.
• Track, document, and evaluate youth participation and progress in all activities and prepare required reports monthly, as required by contracts and agency protocol.
• Document all contact with youth through detailed written case notes and maintain detailed case files for all youth in accordance with contract and New Avenues requirements for documentation of youth eligibility, enrollment, participation, and progress.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all services in a timely manner.
• Track youth participation in development activities and document youth progress in these activities in accordance with performance reporting requirements using an electronic data collection system.

Requirements

• A college degree in social work, psychology, or related human services field OR equivalent work and life experience preferred.
• Ability to communicate concisely and effectively, both verbally and in writing in Spanish and English. Must be bi-culturally competent.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• A minimum of two years of experience working with high-risk youth.
• Prior experience engaging youth who face multiple barriers, preferably around contexts associated with exploitation.
• Experience providing case management and intervention services.
• Knowledge of local Latine community issues as they relate to sexual violence and trafficking.
• Ability and desire to work with diverse staff and excel in a multi-cultural environment.
• Complete 40-hour DV/SA Advocacy training within the first 30 days of hire.
• Data entry and database management experience preferred.
• Strong proficiency in all programs of Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrate judgment and discretion in dealing with confidential matters.
• Must be able to manage multiple priorities to ensure goals are met in a timely manner.
• Strong analytical and strategic problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work well in a team setting, as well as independently; be flexible and adapt well to different dynamics in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, which could include some evenings and weekends.
• Ability to support organizational and program-specific mission and goals.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds.
• Position will require some travel in the Tri-County area. Must have a driver’s license, access to a vehicle, and ability to obtain automobile insurance at levels required by the agency (100/300/100).
• Successful completion of civil, criminal, and/or motor vehicle background checks.

Pay

$24.00 per hour.

Location & Typical Working Conditions

Most of the work performed in this position will be done out in the community meeting with survivors where they feel safe or accompanying survivors to needed services. There are times that work can be done remotely from home; however, most work is done in the office. On-site work is located at EPHC's offices in Gresham, OR. Job duties may require occasional travel and evening and weekend work depending on project deadlines.