Bilingual Spanish/English Domestic Violence Community Victim Advocate

The Women’s Center, a non-profit organization with offices in Fairfax County, Virginia, and Washington, DC, is seeking a Bilingual Spanish/English Domestic Violence Community Victim Advocate & Immigration Specialist (Intimate Partner Violence Focus) to serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The position works on-site and hybrid mode from different sites, including but not limited to The Women's Center office, Fairfax County Domestic Violence Center (DVAC), Fairfax County Courthouse, and a co-located service center, staffed by county and community non-profit partners.

Core Purpose:

Provide culturally and linguistically responsive advocacy, support, and case management to Spanish- and English-speaking survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), domestic violence, and sexual assault, including specialized support related to immigration concerns and inquiries. This role works exclusively with IPV victims.

Direct Client Services:

• Provide trauma-informed crisis intervention, emotional support, and safety planning exclusively to IPV victims in both Spanish and English.
• Conduct intake, risk assessment, and ongoing needs assessments for IPV survivors, and develop client-centered service and safety plans.
• Offer information, psychoeducation, and options counseling regarding IPV, domestic violence, sexual assault, healthy relationships, and safety strategies.
• Accompany and support IPV clients during appointments (e.g., civil and criminal court hearings, law enforcement, social services, and other community agencies) as needed.
• Assist IPV clients in accessing emergency resources such as shelter, food, transportation, medical care, financial assistance, and protection options.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and humility in working with diverse, immigrant, and marginalized populations affected by IPV.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential client files, case notes, and data for IPV cases in accordance with agency policy, funder requirements, and applicable laws.
• Excellent interpersonal, active listening, organizational, and documentation skills, with proficiency in case file management and basic computer applications (e.g., Microsoft Office).
• Reliable transportation and flexibility for occasional evenings/weekends for client support, outreach, or emergencies.
• The position may also require openness to performing other duties or assignments as directed by program leadership to support overall agency operations and client needs.

Immigration-Related Support (Non-Legal):

• Provide general information about common immigration-related protections available to IPV survivors.
• Make timely referrals and follow-ups to qualified immigration attorneys or accredited representatives for legal advice and representation.
• Support IPV clients in preparing for meetings with legal providers (e.g., helping them organize documents, timelines, and personal narratives), without interpreting or explaining the law.
• Assist IPV clients with understanding non-legal aspects of immigration processes that affect safety and access to services (e.g., potential impact on benefits, work, housing), always deferring legal questions to legal counsel.

Minimum Qualifications:

• The Bilingual Spanish/English Domestic Violence Community Victim Advocate & Immigration Specialist (IPV Focus) position includes full professional proficiency (written and spoken fluency) in Spanish and English, foundational education, experience, language proficiency, and key competencies tailored to serving IPV survivors.

Education:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in social work, Human Services, Sociology, or a related field strongly preferred.
• Master’s Degree preferred.

Experience:

• At least 2 years of direct experience in victim advocacy, case management, crisis intervention, or support services for survivors of domestic violence, intimate partner violence (IPV), or sexual assault.
• Familiarity with immigrant communities and immigration-related challenges faced by IPV survivors (e.g., VAWA, U visas) through prior work or volunteer roles.

EOE