Community Advocate Supervisor, Gender Based Violence Specialized Services (GBVSS)

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Community Advocate Supervisor provides direct staff leadership and daily coordination of community advocacy, outreach, prevention education, and emergency hotel services across King and Snohomish Counties. Reporting to the Program Director of Health and Safety Advocacy, this position supports advocates working in Seattle, Renton, Kent, Everett, and Lynnwood.

The Supervisor’s primary focus is ensuring advocates have the guidance, resources, and support needed to provide effective, trauma informed services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and commercial sexual exploitation and their children. Responsibilities include regular individual support, case consultation, workload coordination, de-escalation support, and client file compliance.

The Supervisor manages client assistance spending within established allocations and spending guidelines, maintains accurate assistance records, and communicates spending concerns to the Program Director. The Program Director retains responsibility for overall program budgets, Monthly Operating Report review, interpretation of funding requirements, and leadership of funder monitoring and external audits. The Supervisor supports this work through regular file reviews, documentation follow-up, and preparation of requested client records.

The position may carry a small caseload and provide direct advocacy coverage as needed. Applying antiracist principles in supervision, service delivery, and community relationships is an essential responsibility.

LOCATION AND WORK EXPECTATION

This position works in person at YWCA sites and in the community throughout King and Snohomish Counties. The designated home office may be any YWCA GBVSS site, with regular local travel and a consistent presence across relevant staff locations in Seattle, Renton, Kent, Everett, and Lynnwood. Hybrid and remote work are not available for this position.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Advocate Supervision and Support

Provide regular support, coaching, and case consultation to Community Advocates, CSE Community Advocates, the GBV Outreach Specialist, and Mobile Flexible Advocates.

Help staff manage priorities, caseloads, professional boundaries, and secondary trauma.

Support onboarding, staff development, and required training.

Provide performance feedback, complete evaluations, and address concerns with the Program Director.

Maintain a regular in person presence across assigned locations in King and Snohomish Counties.

Daily Operations and Participant Support

Coordinate schedules, caseloads, referrals, and service coverage; approve timesheets and time off requests.

Support advocates with complex participant situations and trauma informed de-escalation that respects safety, dignity, and participant choice.

Ensure staff follow established safety and incident reporting procedures.

Address routine service concerns and refer serious or unresolved issues, staffing needs, and service interruptions to the Program Director.

Maintain a small caseload and provide temporary advocacy coverage as needed.

Client Assistance Spending

Review and approve assistance requests within established spending limits, funding guidelines, and delegated authority.

Track expenditures and commitments against assigned spending plans, ensuring accurate eligibility and payment documentation.

Monitor available balances and anticipated needs; work with Finance and the Program Director to resolve discrepancies and seek approval for exceptions.

Client File Compliance and Audit Support

Review participant files and data entry for accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and compliance with established documentation requirements.

Give staff feedback and follow up on missing documentation or required corrections.

Support routine reporting and organize client records for funder reviews and audits under the Program Director’s direction.

Ensure confidentiality, consent, and recordkeeping requirements are followed, and refer funding or compliance questions to the Program Director.

Service Coordination and Quality

Coordinate referrals and warm handoffs to YWCA programs and community resources, respecting participant consent and minimizing repeated disclosure of traumatic experiences.

Maintain service partnerships and work with colleagues to resolve referral barriers.

Review participant feedback and service information to identify improvements and communicate recurring needs to the Program Director.

Support culturally responsive services and apply antiracist principles to supervision and advocacy, particularly in addressing barriers affecting Black and African American survivors.

Participate in supervisory meetings, carry out assigned program improvements, and perform other related duties.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

• A college degree and at least three years of direct service experience in advocacy, case management, crisis intervention, or related human services, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
• At least two years of experience supporting survivors of gender based violence is required, regardless of the combination of education and experience.
• Leadership experience such as mentoring coworkers, training new staff, serving as a senior advocate, or coordinating team activities. Formal supervisory experience is not required.
• Readiness to coach staff, provide constructive feedback, and help coordinate daily work.
• Understanding of trauma informed, survivor centered services, confidentiality, and professional boundaries.
• Ability to support de-escalation, exercise sound judgment, and seek guidance when needed.
• Experience maintaining accurate client records and meeting documentation deadlines.
• Strong communication, organization, and relationship building skills.
• Commitment to antiracism, cultural humility, and equitable services, particularly for Black and African American survivors.
• Basic computer skills and willingness to learn agency systems.
• Ability to travel regularly between staff locations in King and Snohomish Counties.
• Willingness to complete required advocacy training and continuing education.

Relevant work, community leadership, training, education, and applicable lived experience will be considered together when evaluating equivalent qualifications. All candidates must meet the minimum requirement of two years of experience supporting survivors of gender based violence.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In performing this position, the employee:

All positions at YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish are exposed to clients who have experienced or are experiencing trauma in various forms including but not limited to domestic violence, sexual violence, homelessness, unemployment, financial hardship, etc. As a result, staff are at risk of secondary trauma. Employees are encouraged to seek external support and maintain self-care when working indirectly or directly with clients.

Regularly work in office and community settings, including YWCA service locations, college campuses, hotels, and partner organizations.

Travel locally between staff and service locations throughout King and Snohomish Counties, sometimes visiting multiple locations within a workday.

Regularly communicate with advocates, participants, colleagues, and community partners in person, by telephone, and through electronic platforms.

Frequently use a computer and other office technology to review client files, prepare documentation, approve timesheets, and participate in meetings.

Perform work involving periods of sitting, standing, or moving within offices and community locations, with flexibility in positioning as duties allow.

Occasionally transport routine work materials, such as a laptop, files, and outreach supplies.

Respond to emotionally intense situations and participant crises using sound judgment, de-escalation skills, and established safety procedures.

This position involves exposure to accounts of domestic violence, sexual assault, commercial sexual exploitation, and other traumatic experiences. Regular supervision, consultation, and available staff support resources are important components of the work environment.

*Continuously = Over 80% of the time | Frequently = 20–80% | Occasionally = Under 20%