Deaf and DeafBlind Advocate and Case Manager - Salem, OR

Position Title: Deaf and DeafBlind Advocate and Case Manager
Position Title: Director ofAdvocacy Services
Location: Salem 
Status: Full time, hourly, non-exempt, and at-will position
Salary Range: $24.00 - $26.50/per hour / $50,000 - $55,000 annually
Benefits: Bridges Oregon offers paid sick time off, vacation time, paid holidays, health insurance, an employment assistance program, short and long term disability leave, life insurance, a retirement package, and professional development opportunities.

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

A cover letter, resume, completed application and list of three names for references and their contact information must all be received to be considered. If any of the three application materials are missing or incomplete, your submission will not be considered. Please email all materials to apply@bridgesoregon.org.

Organization Summary
Established in 2017, Bridges Oregon is a statewide culturally and linguistically specific and responsive non-profit organization serving Oregonians who are D/deaf, DeafBlind, deaf-blind, D/deaf with additional disabilities, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened, and/or persons with unilateral/bilateral hearing loss. It is in our mission to facilitate equity and inclusiveness and to provide a bridge to opportunities through advocacy, education, and communication.

Position Summary:
Under the supervision of the Director ofAdvocacy Services, this position provides general advocacy and case management services to individuals who are Deaf or DeafBlind in the metropolitan and rural areas of the I-5 corridor, from Portland to Ashland.

Duration of this Position
This is a grant-funded position with current funding expected to end on June 30, 2025, with the possibility of renewal for up to five years, depending on future funding from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the outcome of the 2025  legislative session.

Primary Purpose ofthe Position
The primary role of the Deaf and DeafBlind Advocate and Case Manager position is to serve as an advocate for individuals who are Deaf and DeafBlind of all ages, the majority of whom use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate. Duties to individuals include: assessment of needs, provision of resources and skill development to help consumers achieve success in daily life, development of service plans, maintenance of database, inter-agency service coordination, guidance and counseling in major life areas, such as, but not limited to, employment, law, health or education.
Duties to the community include: identification of all major outreach targets and development of strategies for implementing outreach activities in catchment area, provision of seminars/presentations for Deaf and DeafBlind consumers or other groups related to the rights and responsibilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other state or federal laws in addressing communication access and daily living issues, and assisting them in understanding and implementing communication access policies and procedures for Deaf and DeafBlind consumers. Consumer education workshops may include topics related to physical and mental health, leadership or self-reliance or opportunities for other services or resources in the community. Presentations and workshops to agencies, school organizations, businesses or civic groups, in the catchment area pertain to Deaf Culture, American Sign Language (ASL) and the communication challenges and needs of the target population.

The Bridges Oregon Advocates and Case Manager provide the following services:

Advocacy and Case Management
● Informs and assists Deaf and DeafBlind clients in addressing challenges and obtaining communication access in medical, legal, educational, and workplace settings. This does not limit to Social Security Administration, WorkSource Oregon, county or state jail and federal prison, judicial, law enforcement, guardianship, payee representative, public assistance, healthcare, and many more.
● Provide client assistance, case management, and advocacy in dealing with public and private agencies through peer counseling. 
● Develop and implement action plans to remove communication and/or independent living barriers for individual clients.
● Provides information and refers individuals to public or private agencies or community services for assistance.
● Advises clients regarding food stamps, childcare, food, money management, sanitation, or independent living.
● Provides advocacy for the Deaf and DeafBlind clients who seek help which includes, but is not limited to interpreting, translating, counseling, and finding clients places to live.
● Helps clients fill out and understand forms.
● Attends doctor’s appointments so that the clients may understand the doctor better.
● Familiarize or train Deaf and DeafBlind people concerning government, legal, communication, and community, cultural, and self-advocacy issues.

Outreach
● Outreach topics include, but are not limited to: the Americans with Disabilities Act, effective interaction with law enforcement, selecting appropriate auxiliary aids, advances in communication technology, 911 emergency services, education issues, employment, independent living skills, and social services.
● Assist in developing and maintaining cooperative relationships with governmental, community organizations, and agencies providing resources for
clients.
● Work as a team member by providing cross-referral to other departments within the agency with the goal of improving and enriching the lives of Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened and those with additional disabilities in the communities served.
● Train and assist community partners in using Assistive Communication Technology (i.e., Protactile, Loop, Assistive Listening Devices, phone boosters,
etc.) for Deaf and DeafBlind community members for communication access.
● Plan and lead educational workshops in ASL for local Deaf community members.

Miscellaneous:
● Participate in team meetings and collaborate with other departments to enhance client services; tasks as assigned.
● Manages crises.
● Seeks out support from co-workers & supervisor, proactively takes responsibility for self and work.
● Maintain accurate service data in the database; complete necessary paperwork and forms related to survivor services.
● Documents work and submit reports thoroughly and on time. Maintain client files with the information required for compliance reviews.
● Effectively utilizes staff, direct services, and supervision meetings.
● Participates in outreach efforts upon request such as agency events, events organized by community engagement programs, and VLogs.
● Commits to practice organization’s Mission Statement & Core Values; understands the anti-oppression movement; stays current on culturally relevant
information about the populations being served and works in the position.
● Other duties as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provide advocacy, case management, system navigation, and support to Deaf and DeafBlind client
2. Providing the following support to clients:
     a. Short-term, crisis intervention services
     b. Emotional support
     c. Safety planning
     d. Assessment of participants needs, strengths, and challenges
e. Assist with individualized goal-setting
f. Information and referral for community resources
g. Provide accompaniment and transportation to clients in personal vehicles.
3. Provide in-person and virtual advocacy and case management
4. Liaise with community partner organizations including but not limited to police, courts, attorney general’s office, medical, and any other agencies with the goal of both receiving referrals and working with these agencies on behalf of clients.
5. Conduct initial or intake assessments of Deaf and DeafBlind clients to determine appropriate services.
6. Assist the Director of Advocacy Services with the creation and maintenance of a program design that will effectively outreach to the Deaf and DeafBlind community in Oregon.
7. Partner with the Director of Advocacy Services to create program and services outreach materials for the Deaf and DeafBlind
8. Create resources that identify and liaise with organizations that serve the Deaf and DeafBlind clients.
9. Work with the Director of Advocacy Services to identify, implement, and maintain the technology necessary to enhance a communications plan that will facilitate communication between Bridges Oregon and Deaf and DeafBlind clients and provide client advocacy and case management.
10.Ability and willingness to be on-call, work weekends and evenings, and willing to travel.
11.Work to establish effective, positive, and ongoing relationships with community partners.
12.Other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions:

● Frequent movement inside the office and community.
● Frequent computer use and communication with colleagues and clients.
● Ability to constantly problem solve, organize, and prioritize.
● Occasionally work outdoors in cold or high temperatures.
● Occasionally carry up to 20 pounds.

Expected Training:

1. Advocacy and Case Management
2. Anti-oppression, anti-racism, bias, and cultural responsiveness annually
3. HIPAA and confidentiality training annually
4. Familiarize with Bridges Oregon’s policy, procedure, and strategic plan.
5. Other training as assigned by the agency and/or the grant.

Required Qualifications:

● In-depth knowledge of the fields of Deaf and DeafBlind.
● Demonstrated cultural responsiveness and ability to effectively work with those from diverse backgrounds and experiences
● An understanding of the concepts of deafhood and the institutional and systemic audism, linguisticism, distantism, vidism, racism, bias, and oppression.
● Previous experience in social and cultural activities in the Deaf and/or DeafBlind population.● General familiarity with various sign systems. Profound appreciation of Deaf and DeafBlind Culture.
● Extensive knowledge of federal and state laws, programs and services relating to Deaf and DeafBlind citizens of Oregon.
● Effective public presentation and interaction skills.
● Ability and commitment to attain sign language skills at the Sign Language Proficiency Interview Level: Advanced / Advanced Plus within one-year from date of employment.
● Excellent interpersonal, sign language/verbal, and written communication, and organizational skills.
● Ability to represent the mission and value of Bridges Oregon to program participants and community partners.
● Ability to maintain positive interpersonal relationships and establish rapport with clients and colleagues
● Ability to effectively advocate for clients.
● Knowledge of community resources and how to access them
● Ability to be flexible, maintain appropriate professional boundaries, and use sound judgment
● Strong problem-solving abilities
● Ability to communicate effectively with Director of Advocacy Services
● High level of organizational skills and follow-through
● Ability to maintain a professional demeanor in challenging circumstances
● Sensitivity to the needs of clients and maintain appropriate client confidentiality in accordance with agency confidentiality policy and federal/state statutes.
● Strong work ethic.
● Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual statistical and narrative reports as assigned by the Director of Advocacy Services.
● Ability to work independently and to complete tasks with minimal supervision.
● Patience, sense of humor, and willingness to be open to new ideas and ways of doing things.
● Proficiency in Google Suite, Salesforce, Microsoft Word, Excel.
● Bachelor’s Degree in social work or related field OR equivalent combination of training, volunteering, and work experience.

Desired Qualifications:

● Demonstrated knowledge of the dynamics and ability to effectively communicate an understanding of their effects directly and indirectly on survivors, children, youth, and society.
● Knowledge of the connection between clients and various forms of oppression.
● Demonstrated understanding of anti-oppression issues, ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and understanding of culturally responsive service delivery methods.
● Computer proficiency in Google Suite including Google word processing, spreadsheets, Canva, and the EmpowerDB (survivor/client database preferred).
● Must possess reliable transportation and be able to attend off-site activities regularly throughout the state of Oregon.
● Must have dependable auto transportation, valid Oregon State Driver’s license and proof of insurance; clean driving record, the state-issued identification card is an optional.
● Must pass a criminal background check.

COVID-19 Requirements: As part of our commitment to ensuring the health and safety of our community and the vulnerable populations we serve, Bridges Oregon requires all employees, volunteers, and contractors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to beginning work. This policy is in place to protect individuals who are at a higher risk of severe illness and aligns with our mission to provide a safe and supportive environment.

Relocation Package:
No relocation assistance is provided for out-of-state candidates.

Bridges Oregon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates, including survivors of interpersonal violence, persons of color, LGBTQ-identified individuals, older adults, and people with disabilities.