Survivor Support Worker (residential services)

The Salvation Army, an internationally recognized non-profit, faith-based organization, has a job opening for a Survivor Support Worker at Catherine’s Cottage, a program of the Central Maryland Area Command under the Potomac Division.

Position Summary

Catherine’s Cottage is a Salvation Army program that provides safe housing, intensive case management, and other wrap-around services to adult female-identifying survivors of human trafficking, including both sex trafficking and labor trafficking. Direct services are provided based on a trauma-informed, strengths-based, person-centered, and survivor-informed approach. Catherine’s Cottage is the only housing program in the area focused exclusively on adults who have experienced human trafficking.

The Survivor Support Worker (SSW) will function as a case worker/victim advocate to support comprehensive culturally appropriate case management services to survivors of human trafficking. The position will support survivors in restoring dignity, choice, safety, and self-agency to continue on a path toward self-sufficiency through intensive, goals-focused case management. This position will coordinate with the Case Manager to implement client-focused case management and other services provided to trafficking survivors who are clients of The Salvation Army. The position provides direct services to survivors, including case management, victim/survivor advocacy, and linkages with other services through referrals and serves as a liaison for the program.

The position will work in alignment with the philosophy, policies, procedures of the program and The Salvation Army and the Social Services Code of Ethics.

This position requires the ability to occasionally work a variable schedule to ensure client needs are met.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Human Services, or related field, AND two (2) years of experience in case management or social service work, especially in working with victims of human trafficking or sexual assault; OR any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

License/Certification

Valid Driver’s License (Approved Salvation Army Motor Vehicle Report), required.

Case Management or Victim Advocate Certification, preferred.

Ability to communicate in a second language, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of trauma-informed care best practices, anti-human trafficking best practices, and social work best practices, especially surrounding sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and substance use disorders.

Knowledge of and support of a core belief that every person is worthy of dignity, equality, and mutuality, including every resident, staff, volunteer, and visitor.

Skills in case management and trauma-informed care, including tailored approaches such as motivational interview and de-escalation techniques.

Skills in professional communication (oral and written), case notes, and report writing (in the English language; other languages preferred).

Skills (intermediate to advanced) in Microsoft Office software, including Excel, Word, and Outlook, and online applications, including Teams.

Ability to offer compassion, support, and a willingness to help others, including residents and colleagues.

Ability to be self-aware and open to giving and receiving feedback from staff, management, and residents.
 

Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including individuals who identify as LGBTQ.

Ability to lead and facilitate life skills trainings.

Ability to implement intensive, goals-focused case management with clients.

Ability to evaluate progress toward client goals.

Ability to effectively communicate and work as a team member in a cross-cultural environment.

Ability to organize and prioritize work to accomplish work in compliance with quality standard and deadlines.

Ability to use problem solving techniques to resolve issues independently.

Ability to use sound judgement and maintain boundaries with clients.

Ability to build and maintain a positive, cooperative, and professional relationships with volunteers, staff, clients, and community agencies.

Ability to work a flexible schedule occasionally to ensure client needs are met; and to meet attendance requirements.

Ability to work in stressful environments, cope with ambiguity and change, and effectively handle situations that do not have explicitly written instructions or guidelines.

Ability to work independently and with limited supervision, making decisions and addressing crisis situations based on established policies and procedures and sound judgment; self-motivation and a proactive mindset, including the ability and desire to look for things that need to be done in addition to accomplishing regularly assigned tasks.

Ability to effectively manage competing deadlines in order to handle multi-client caseload.

Ability to travel to external sites for meetings and to transport clients as needed.

Ability and willingness to perform all duties with an understanding of the mission, ministry, philosophy, culture, and protocol of The Salvation Army; conducts all communications and job duties with the highest level of professionalism.

Mental and Physical Abilities

Work is performed in a shelter environment that requires a combination of sitting, standing, and walking up and down stairs on a frequent change basis. Some physical effort required associated with walking, standing, lifting, and carrying light objects (less than 25 lbs.) 5-10% of work time. The shelter provides 24/7 coverage, including holidays, which requires the ability to flex schedules occasionally to ensure continuous coverage.

Additional Information

All employees recognize that The Salvation Army is a church and agree that they will do nothing as an employee of The Salvation Army to undermine its religious mission.

To apply, please select the “Apply Now” icon at the bottom of this posting.

*Application Submittal Period:  April 1, 2024 - April 28, 2024

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.