Lead Advocate, Deaf Survivor Services
Remote
Full Time
Mid Level
About Activating Change
Activating Change’s mission is to end the widespread victimization and mass incarceration of people with disabilities and Deaf people. We bring together people and organizations across the country working in disability, survivor advocacy, and criminal legal system reform fields. We foster alignment, build capacity, and support greater coordination across fields to realize our goals of freedom and healing for people with disabilities and Deaf people. We collaborate with disability and Deaf communities across the country and work in close partnership with government and advocacy leaders to implement change.
Deaf survivors face communication, cultural, and other barriers to accessing hearing victim services that are often insurmountable. “For Deaf, by Deaf” victim services offer a solution for Deaf and DeafBlind survivors of violence, but they don’t exist in most communities. Through the newly launched Deaf Survivor Services (DSS) program, Activating Change – in partnership with Deaf leaders from across the country – is establishing a new, national victim services program for Deaf survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking. The program will provide crisis intervention services, on-going case management support, and other assistance to Deaf survivors in American Sign Language by Deaf advocates. Our goal is to ensure that any Deaf survivor can access victim services provided by Deaf advocates, in American Sign Language or other languages of Deaf communities, using practices rooted in Deaf culture – regardless of where they live.
About the Position
The Lead Advocate position is responsible for providing trauma-informed, survivor-centered direct services to Deaf survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking who contact the DSS. The Lead Advocate provides immediate crisis intervention, emotional support, safety planning, and long-term case management to Deaf survivors. The Lead Advocate will work closely with Deaf and hearing service providers around the country to ensure survivors have access to the resources and support they need for safety and healing.
This position is supported through a federal award. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of this funding.
ScheduleThis is a full-time position, requiring a 7-hour workday, Monday through Friday, 12:30 pm ET – 8:30 pm ET (9:30 am PT – 5: 30 pm PT). Occasional flexibility in schedule preferred to ensure crisis line coverage.
We are hiring for multiple positions under this project with different schedules. If you are interested in being considered for more than one shift, you must submit a separate application for each position you would like to be considered for.
What You’ll Do
Work Environment
This is a remote position. A critical requirement of the role is having a dedicated, private workspace that ensures confidentiality and protects the safety and privacy of survivors. The workspace must be separate from shared household areas and shielded from others seeing or overhearing conversations or accessing personally identifiable information. Advocates are expected to maintain a secure environment in compliance with confidentiality and data protection protocols. Reliable access to high-speed internet is required to support secure video calls, online documentation, and communication with survivors and team members.
Background Screening
Employment in this position is contingent upon successfully completing a fingerprint-based background check and verification of residence history. Candidates with convictions involving minors, sexual assault or exploitation, kidnapping, or other related crimes will not be considered eligible for employment.
In-Person Onboarding
Employees are required to attend an in-person orientation of approximately three days in duration; related expenses will be covered. There may also be one to two additional trips required within the first year.
Activating Change’s mission is to end the widespread victimization and mass incarceration of people with disabilities and Deaf people. We bring together people and organizations across the country working in disability, survivor advocacy, and criminal legal system reform fields. We foster alignment, build capacity, and support greater coordination across fields to realize our goals of freedom and healing for people with disabilities and Deaf people. We collaborate with disability and Deaf communities across the country and work in close partnership with government and advocacy leaders to implement change.
Deaf survivors face communication, cultural, and other barriers to accessing hearing victim services that are often insurmountable. “For Deaf, by Deaf” victim services offer a solution for Deaf and DeafBlind survivors of violence, but they don’t exist in most communities. Through the newly launched Deaf Survivor Services (DSS) program, Activating Change – in partnership with Deaf leaders from across the country – is establishing a new, national victim services program for Deaf survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking. The program will provide crisis intervention services, on-going case management support, and other assistance to Deaf survivors in American Sign Language by Deaf advocates. Our goal is to ensure that any Deaf survivor can access victim services provided by Deaf advocates, in American Sign Language or other languages of Deaf communities, using practices rooted in Deaf culture – regardless of where they live.
About the Position
The Lead Advocate position is responsible for providing trauma-informed, survivor-centered direct services to Deaf survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking who contact the DSS. The Lead Advocate provides immediate crisis intervention, emotional support, safety planning, and long-term case management to Deaf survivors. The Lead Advocate will work closely with Deaf and hearing service providers around the country to ensure survivors have access to the resources and support they need for safety and healing.
This position is supported through a federal award. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of this funding.
Schedule
We are hiring for multiple positions under this project with different schedules. If you are interested in being considered for more than one shift, you must submit a separate application for each position you would like to be considered for.
What You’ll Do
- Learn and incorporate a trauma-informed, survivor-centered, flexible approach into your work with survivors.
- Support Deaf survivors through texts, emails, video calls, and other communication methods.
- Provide direct services to Deaf survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking (and people in their support systems).
- Provide crisis intervention, supportive counseling, and information/referrals for Deaf survivors through the virtual service line.
- Provide safety planning, resources, advocacy, and referrals tailored to each survivor’s unique needs.
- Conduct intake and assessment for longer-term case management services.
- Provide ongoing case management, including coordinating services, navigating systems (housing, legal, health, etc.), and advocating on behalf of survivors.
- Assist survivors with victim compensation, address confidentiality program, and other resources as needed.
- Provide appropriate information and referrals to address survivors’ needs.
- Work with other Deaf and hearing organizations in the United States (including the U.S. territories) to facilitate advocacy and referrals for survivors.
- Maintain and contribute to comprehensive resource database.
- Use a web-based case management system and other technologies to engage with survivors and document work.
- Maintain accurate, confidential documentation of services provided.
- Assist with outreach and community education activities.
- Participate in regular individual and group supervision, team meetings, and professional development opportunities.
- Work in a collaborative team environment with strong communication and coordination to make sure the goals and services of the program are achieved.
Position Must-Haves
If you are excited about this position, but not sure if you meet the "must haves," please apply.- Connected to Deaf communities and fluent in American Sign Language.
- At least two or more years experience providing crisis intervention or other direct services to Deaf survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
- Experience facilitating support groups.
- Knowledge of trauma informed care and dynamics domestic violence and sexual assault.
- Enjoy connecting with people, working in partnership toward healing, you are willing to provide deep empathy for survivors.
- Experience providing excellent customer service and welcoming, individualized services to a wide array of people.
- Effective communication skills.
- Time management skills and the flexibility and ability to prioritize job tasks.
- Proven ability to collaborate with a team and to work independently.
- Comfortable with technology and using multiple apps to communicate.
- Confident with learning new technology.
- Ability to provide services according to Activating Change’s and the Deaf Survivor Services’ values, beliefs, and philosophies centered on principles of trauma informed, survivor centered care.
- Proven ability to work virtually from your home.
- Dedicated, private workspace with the ability to get high speed internet.
- Other tasks as assigned
Work Environment
This is a remote position. A critical requirement of the role is having a dedicated, private workspace that ensures confidentiality and protects the safety and privacy of survivors. The workspace must be separate from shared household areas and shielded from others seeing or overhearing conversations or accessing personally identifiable information. Advocates are expected to maintain a secure environment in compliance with confidentiality and data protection protocols. Reliable access to high-speed internet is required to support secure video calls, online documentation, and communication with survivors and team members.
Background Screening
Employment in this position is contingent upon successfully completing a fingerprint-based background check and verification of residence history. Candidates with convictions involving minors, sexual assault or exploitation, kidnapping, or other related crimes will not be considered eligible for employment.
In-Person Onboarding
Employees are required to attend an in-person orientation of approximately three days in duration; related expenses will be covered. There may also be one to two additional trips required within the first year.
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time hourly position with an annual salary range between $52,500 - $62,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Activating Change's total compensation package for employees. Supporting Activating Change staff—both personally and professionally—is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay increases, paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, employer-funded retirement plan, an annual stipend to support healing, education, and development, reimbursements for home internet expenses, stipends for work from home supplies, and fees relevant to Activating Change's work. Apply for this position
Required*