Navigator/Advocate for Survivors of Crime

Job Title: Navigator/Advocate for Survivors of Crime (English/Spanish)

Location: Santa Cruz, California. This is a fully in-person position

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Type: Full-Time

Hourly Rate Range: $25.00-$33.00 per hour (depending on experience which includes bilingual differential)

Benefits Package: Dental, Vision, Medical, Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and option of enrolling in a retirement plan, Flexible Spending Plan (FSA). This benefit package is valued at $12,000 per year.

14 paid holidays annually in addition to accrued vacation and sick paid time off.

About Us: The Coastal Community Justice Center of Santa Cruz County (fiscally sponsored by Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center) opened in March 2026. We are a warm and welcoming one-stop center for survivors of interpersonal violence (IPV) -- domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking. The Justice Center serves victims and survivors regardless of their income, immigration status, or location. We meet survivors where they are and help them through the process of healing and agency. The Center is a public-private partnership committed to safety, healing, wellness, and prevention of violence now and into the future.

Position Summary: We are accepting applications for a bilingual Spanish/English Navigator to work out of our 5300 Soquel Avenue location in Santa Cruz, CA. The Navigator will use a strength-based, empowering approach to engage with survivors and families, to identify supportive services, and guide them in accessing these services. The Navigator position requires excellent interpersonal skills, and someone willing to become extremely skillful at navigating Santa Cruz social services and the people who provide them.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Completion of the DV Advocacy Training (compensated training)
• Greet and welcome guests and clients, provide phone support, and schedule appointments as needed.
• Adhere to strict confidentiality requirements and behave at all times with attention to client privacy
• Conduct screening interviews with all incoming clients, including needs assessment, danger assessment as needed, safety plan, service plan, and follow-up plan.
• Document and maintain confidential data about services provided in a timely manner
• Participate in active, ongoing case-planning with partners.
• Prepare monthly reports of clients and services.
• Participate in short- and long-term strategic planning and program development.
• Organize and maintain paper and electronic files.
• Attend multidisciplinary team meetings to coordinate efforts with community partners
• Work with the VOICES committee and other team members to attend community outreach events.
• Coordinate special projects, partner meetings, and trainings.
• Perform other duties, functions, special projects, and responsibilities as assigned and deemed necessary by the Center Director/Executive Leadership Team.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (criminal justice, social work, or psychology) plus experience working in the field or
• Minimum of four years’ experience relevant to the position (at least some of which involve serving folks who are survivors): experience may include lived experience, case management, victim advocacy, legal advocacy, or criminal justice experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Flexibility and strong problem-solving capabilities.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required. Biliterate preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of or a background in intimate partner violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, elder abuse, or human trafficking.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking and proofreading.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Project management experience and report writing skills.
• Competency with multi-media equipment and applications, computer software (MS Office Suite) and data systems.
• Ability to multitask and learn new areas and practices.
• Teamwork and interpersonal flexibility.
• Cultural responsiveness and an alignment with our values and commitments to equity and inclusion.
• Must be able to pass a LiveScan background check.
• Ability to travel, when necessary, between sites.

Special Consideration:

• Ability to create effective social media posts.
• Comfort with website design and graphics.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical issues.
• Interest in or experience with non-violence work.
• Innovative and creative self-starter.
• Interest in staff and organizational development work.
• Lived experience navigating social services.
• Deep understanding of public systems.

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and professional references. Please explain in your cover letter: (a) why you are interested in the position and (b) why you believe that you are qualified for the position, and (c) please include three professional references. We will not review your application without a cover letter. Please note that finalists may be asked to perform research and writing tasks.

We practice equity in all aspects of the organization and value diversity of culture, thought, and lived experiences. We seek talented, qualified individuals who will contribute to the culture of diversity and inclusion at Coastal Community Justice Center.

It is the policy of Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center to provide equal employment, volunteer opportunities and services (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices),national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by federal, state or local law.