Case Worker & Advocate Specialist

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center is hiring!

Since 2003, The DC Center has worked to educate, empower, celebrate, and connect the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities in the District. We envision communities where LGBTQ+ people feel healthy, safe, and affirmed. The DC Anti-Violence Project (DCAVP), a program of The DC Center founded in 2008, works to reduce violence against LGBTQ+ individuals (and those perceived as LGBTQ+) through case management, advocacy, crisis intervention, community outreach, education, and individual and group counseling.

Position Summary The DCAVP is seeking a community-based trauma-informed professional to serve as our part-time Case Worker and Advocate (CWA). The CWA provides needs assessment, information and referrals, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ survivors of trauma, violence, and abuse in the DMV area. The CWA also provides community leadership in collaboration with survivor services providers to strengthen appropriate and effective response of LGBTQ+ competent service provision to LGBTQ+ trauma survivors in the District. The CWA works directly with community members individually via email, phone, HIPAA-compliant Zoom and in person, works as a member of the Behavioral Health Services (BHS) team supporting two licensed mental health clinicians in connecting BHS clients to needed services and works as a team member of the DC Center.

Functions and Duties

• Be the point of contact and triage for those who contact the DC Center seeking mental health assistance, case coordination and advocacy
• Provide trauma-informed and interculturally competent case coordination assistance to LGBTQ+ survivors of trauma, violence and abuse in accessing appropriate organizations and providers for services
• Provide email/phone/drop-in and virtual response to and follow-up with clients’ requests for advocacy, info & referral and warm-handoffs
• Provide client crisis intervention and referrals to appropriate support systems (safety plans, hospitalization, referrals, etc.)
• Build and maintain an LGBTQ+ friendly providers network of competent, trauma-informed, culturally diverse mental health support services partners
• Facilitate the monthly community meetings of the DCAVP and manage the outreach and advocacy activities
• Write and coordinate DCAVP Community Impact Statements to support hate bias cases, in partnership with the US Attorney's Office
• Respond to requests for DCAVP collaboration and expertise on LGBTQ+ client needs and best practices with the partnering organizations in the District
• Assist with quarterly reports and other grant deliverables for the OVSJG grant throughout the fiscal year
• Utilize EHR and calendaring systems for accurate records of all clinical and non-clinical interactions using the protocols of BHS and The DC Center
• Work well with an interdisciplinary staff team to facilitate effective communications, team support and warm hospitality in the setting of an actively utilized community center.

Skills and Experience

• Minimum 2 years’ experience working as a trauma-informed Case Worker and advocate with a diverse client population
• Experience working with LGBTQ+ adult clients
• Crisis assessment, intervention and referral experience
• Experience working in an interdisciplinary community center setting
• Experience conducting and maintaining outreach to other service agencies for direct referral pathways for warm-handoffs of clients for services
• Knowledge about substance abuse, mental illness, housing issues, and intersecting systems of oppression
• Experience in providing services remotely as well as in-person
• Ethical, intercultural client care and community relationship skills
• Ability to problem solve and communicate at all verbal and written levels
• Experience working well as a team member
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Prior nonprofit experience

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of our LGBTQ+ community members we invite you to apply for the position of Case Worker & Advocate Specialist

We offer competitive compensation and a supportive work environment. Join our team today and help us create positive change in our community.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $35.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Washington, DC 20009