Mental Health Advocate

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) was founded in 1933 with the mission to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster. The organization operates in over 40 countries and has 27 offices across the United States. The IRC aims to lead individuals from harm to home, providing essential services to refugees and immigrants. The Seattle office, established in 1976, offers a range of services including intensive case management, employment and economic empowerment services, immigration assistance, health and wellness programming, and educational support to families in Washington State. The IRC Seattle is dedicated to delivering trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services while fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

Job Overview:
The Mental Health Advocate plays a crucial role in supporting the mental health and resilience of survivors of trafficking through the WARN program. This position involves providing one-on-one peer support, referrals, and group-based services to clients. The advocate will engage directly with clients, offering psychoeducation and skill-building workshops, as well as facilitating mental health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support (MHPSS) groups. Additionally, the advocate will be responsible for coordinating program logistics, recruiting participants, documenting services, and supporting program evaluation through data collection. The role requires connecting clients to appropriate mental health resources, assisting with care coordination, and collaborating with supervisors to provide crisis support as needed, ensuring that clients receive comprehensive and effective support.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Mental Health Advocate will engage with clients by providing psychosocial support, including manualized interventions, and developing individualized action plans based on assessment findings. They will assist clients in navigating health services by providing referrals to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health care providers. The advocate will support crisis assessment and intervention in collaboration with their supervisor and represent the WARN Mental Health program at outreach events. In terms of program facilitation, the advocate will facilitate psychosocial group programs, ensuring compliance with contract guidelines, and conduct psychoeducation and skill-building sessions using evidence-based approaches. They will also be responsible for recruiting and enrolling participants in WARN programs, as well as planning and organizing logistics for these programs. Monitoring and evaluation tasks include preparing Participant Service Reports, documenting client interactions, and assisting in evaluating current services to identify opportunities for new offerings. The advocate will attend team meetings and trainings, collaborate with team members to ensure program quality, and perform other duties as assigned to support the success of WARN programming.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant social services field such as social work, human development, or psychology, or have equivalent professional and/or lived experience in social work, social service provision, psychosocial support, mental health, and community engagement. Preferred qualifications include lived experience as a refugee or immigrant, or experience working with these populations. A strong understanding of the systems intersecting with migration and resettlement, as well as the social service system, is essential. Candidates should demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, fluency in English and Spanish or other relevant languages, and possess strong intercultural communication skills. Proficiency in computer skills, including email and general office tasks, is also required, along with a current driver’s license and valid insurance.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as social work, human development, or psychology. Alternatively, equivalent professional experience in social services, psychosocial support, or community engagement may be considered. Candidates with lived experience as refugees or immigrants are preferred, but those with experience working with these populations or cross-cultural experience will also be considered.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have relevant experience in social services, mental health support, or community engagement. Experience working with refugees and immigrants is highly valued, as is any cross-cultural or overseas experience that demonstrates an understanding of the challenges faced by these populations. Candidates should be able to demonstrate their ability to provide effective support and advocacy for clients in need of mental health services.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in Spanish or other relevant languages is considered a strong asset. The ability to communicate effectively with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds is essential for this role, as it enhances the advocate's ability to provide appropriate support and resources to clients.

Additional Notes:
This position is represented by the OPEIU union and is subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement. The working environment is a standard professional office setting, with flexible options for remote and in-office work. The role may require evening and weekend work, as well as regular travel throughout the service delivery area. Compensation for this position ranges from $28 to $31 per hour, based on various factors including labor market conditions, job type, internal equity, and budget considerations. The IRC offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, medical, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement savings plan, and an Employee Assistance Program.