Domestic Violence Response Advocate

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:
$31.94 - $39.29 Hourly

Department:
Department of County Human Services (DCHS)

Job Type:
Regular Represented

Exemption Status:
United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):
November 27, 2026
The Opportunity:

Multnomah County | Domestic and Sexual Violence Coordination Office

Are you a compassionate, skilled advocate who believes survivors deserve safety, dignity, choice, and support during some of the most difficult moments of their lives?

The Domestic and Sexual Violence Coordination Office (DSVCO) is seeking thoughtful, collaborative, and dedicated Domestic Violence Response Advocates (DVRAs) to join our Domestic Violence Crisis Response Unit (DVCRU). All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations. This position is contingent on successfully passing a secondary in-depth background check with Portland Police Bureau.

Currently seeking:

- One (1) Full-Time, 40 hours/week, Swing Shift Advocate, Wednesday – Saturday, 1:00 PM – 12:00 AM.
- One (1), Full-Time, 40 hours/week Limited Duration Advocate, various shifts, TBD
- Two (2) On-Call, (0-19 hours/week) Advocate, various shifts, TBD

The eligible list created from this recruitment may also be used to fill future regular, limited duration, or temporary/on-call positions in DCHS.

Location: Gateway MDT Building, 10225 E Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97216, with field-based work at PPB and community locations.

Essential Employee: These positions are designated as Essential Employees and may require reporting to work during County closures or emergencies, consistent with applicable County policies and collective bargaining agreements.

This is an opportunity to provide meaningful, survivor-centered crisis intervention, safety planning, and advocacy while working alongside a dedicated team committed to strengthening safety, access to services, and coordinated community responses to domestic violence.

VIRTUAL INFORMATIONAL SESSION:

Join us on Friday November 20, 2026 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM to meet the hiring supervisor, Andrew Altman, Supervisor, Averi Sage, Program Specialist Senior and Rhea DuMont, Manager to learn more about this position and the work of the Domestic Violence Crisis Response Unit at Multnomah County. This informational session will take place via Google Meet. There will also be time for all interested applicants to ask questions. If you would like to receive a calendar invite for this session or have any questions feel free to send an email to [email protected]. This session is not a requirement for applying for this position.

Join with Google Meet: meet.google.com/xqs-kcsj-hnh

Join by Phone: ‪(US) +1 929-324-9895 PIN: 826310066

About DSVCO and DVCRU:

Our mission: The Domestic and Sexual Violence Coordination Office (DSVCO) strengthens safety, healing, and justice for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking through system coordination, community partnership, and survivor-centered advocacy.

Our values guide how we support survivors, collaborate with partners, and work with one another. Learn more about our mission, vision, values, and programs .

The DVCRU provides immediate on-scene crisis intervention in partnership with law enforcement, safety planning, specialized advocacy, case management, elder and vulnerable adult advocacy, and multi-system service coordination for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Working primarily in partnership with the Portland Police Bureau's Family Services Division, DVCRU is an essential part of the region's coordinated community response and the broader continuum of survivor services within DSVCO.

What You'll Do:

- Provide compassionate, survivor-centered crisis intervention and advocacy. Respond to survivors of domestic violence following referrals from law enforcement, hospitals, and other authorized sources. Provide trauma-informed emotional support, crisis intervention, and individualized safety planning through in-person, field-based, and telephone advocacy. Approach each interaction with care, respect, cultural humility, and an understanding that survivors are experts in their own lives.
- Support survivor safety, autonomy, and informed decision-making. Help survivors assess immediate safety concerns, understand available options, and identify next steps based on their own priorities and circumstances. Provide information about protective orders, criminal and civil justice processes, and available resources while respecting survivor choices and avoiding prescriptive or coercive approaches.
- Connect survivors with resources and ongoing support. Assist survivors in accessing emergency shelter, housing, financial assistance, culturally specific advocacy, and other community resources. Provide short-term case management, follow-up advocacy, and service coordination to help survivors navigate complex systems and address barriers to safety and stability.
- Collaborate across systems while maintaining the distinct role of survivor advocacy. Work alongside law enforcement, hospitals, the District Attorney's Office, courts, community-based organizations, and other service providers to support coordinated responses. Build effective working relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries, survivor confidentiality, and a clear commitment to survivor-centered practice.
- Advance equitable and accessible services. Recognize how racism, disability, language barriers, economic insecurity, and other forms of systemic inequity shape survivors' experiences and access to resources. Work to reduce barriers, support culturally responsive services, and ensure survivors are treated with dignity and respect.
- Maintain accurate records and uphold confidentiality. Document advocacy services, referrals, case activities, and financial assistance accurately and in a timely manner. Use case management and authorized criminal justice information systems appropriately while clearly communicating and following confidentiality requirements, applicable laws, and program policies.
- Contribute to a collaborative, supportive team culture. Participate in team meetings, case consultations, professional development, and reflective practice. Share knowledge, offer and receive constructive feedback, and work collaboratively to strengthen service delivery, support colleagues, and continuously improve how DVCRU serves survivors.

To Qualify:

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

Minimum Qualifications:

- Equivalent to an associate’s degree AND
- One (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. (Equivalency 3-6 years of qualifying training and/or experience).
- 40-Hour Domestic Violence Advocacy Training: Completion of an approved 40-hour domestic violence advocacy training program or equivalent.
- Valid Driver's License: A valid driver's license and ability to operate a vehicle for field-based advocacy.
- Must pass a criminal background check with Multnomah County and an additional in-depth criminal background check with the Portland Police Bureau (these steps occur after a job offer)

Preferred Qualifications: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates.

We are interested in candidates who bring.

- Experience providing direct advocacy, crisis intervention, safety planning, or case management to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or other forms of interpersonal violence.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed, survivor-centered, culturally responsive advocacy and the dynamics of domestic violence, coercive control, and survivor safety.
- The ability to respond thoughtfully and effectively in complex, emotionally challenging, and time-sensitive situations.
- Strong interpersonal communication, relationship-building, and collaboration skills, including experience working with multidisciplinary partners.
- An understanding of confidentiality, mandatory reporting, professional boundaries, and the importance of maintaining survivor trust and autonomy.
- Experience navigating community resources, public systems, and barriers to services affecting historically underserved communities.
- A commitment to teamwork, reflective practice, accountability, and continuous learning.

Screening and Evaluation:

Application Packet: Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter describing their interest, relevant qualifications, and transferable skills.

The selection process may include application review, interviews, reference checks, County background screening, and the required PPB background check.

The Application Packet: (Attachments other than cover letters will not be reviewed unless specifically requested.)

Your completed application must include all of the following:

1. A completed online application and or resume . Please make sure that you provide enough detail about your work experience and transferable skills to demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications as outlined in the TO QUALIFY section above.

2. Cover Letter. Please attach your cover letter as a separate document. Please be thorough in your responses, as these materials will be scored and determine your eligibility to advance in this recruitment process. Please be clear and specific in the applicable sections of the online application/resume about how your background is relevant. This information must also be consistent with your response if applicable.

Note for internal candidates: After you have applied, you will receive the Oregon Veteran Preference Questionnaire in your Workday inbox. Your application as an internal candidate is not complete until you fill out and submit the Oregon Veteran Preference Questionnaire.

-- Only apply ONCE for this opportunity. Duplicate applications CANNOT be submitted in Workday. --

We will not review attached files that are not your resume or documentation that establishes your eligibility for veterans' preference. (The recruiter as listed on the job announcement must receive all attachments by the closing date of the recruitment. Please attach veterans' preference documentation to the separate

Oregon Veteran Preference Questionnaire, not the regular application. Please contact the recruiter as soon as possible if you experience complications uploading your attachments.)

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process . We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

1. Initial review of minimum qualifications

2. Cover letter review

3. Interview

4. Consideration of top candidates

5. Background and reference checks

Note: Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Type of Position: This hourly union-represented position is eligible for overtime pay.

Benefits: Multnomah County offers a comprehensive Benefit package to all eligible employees.

Pay Equity: The county regularly reviews pay equity for our workforce. Wen setting pay we consider applicants’ education, experience, seniority, training, and tenure in relation to other employees performing a similar level of work.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

Ad Hoc Telework: This position is designated as “Ad Hoc telework,” meaning you will be working both remotely (from home) and in person at an onsite location. The designation of Ad Hoc Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Work Location: The onsite work location for this position is Domestic Violence Crisis Response Unit (DVCRU), 10225 E Burnside St., Portland OR 97216.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters: Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.

In accordance with Oregon Law , Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:
Gary Miguel

Email:
[email protected]

Phone:
+1 (503) 3148943

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:
6247 - Victim Advocate