JOB DESCRIPTION
Title: Bilingual Peer Counselor (English- & Spanish-speaking)
Description: Known as “A Sisterhood of Women Facing HIV Together,” BABES Network-YWCA is a Seattle-based peer support program for women and families affected by HIV. BABES reduces isolation, promotes self-empowerment, enhances quality of life and serves the needs of women living with HIV and their families through peer support, advocacy, education and outreach. Operating on the concept that HIV positive women are uniquely qualified to understand and encourage one another, BABES’ team of HIV positive Peer Counselors support our mission by providing one-on-one peer support to other HIV positive women and their affected family members; facilitating support groups, events and retreats; and performing community outreach and prevention education at local schools, treatment centers, shelters, jails, churches, businesses and other groups. The Bilingual Peer Counselor will also be responsible for coordinating peer support services for our Latina members, including recruiting new members and developing new programs to better meet their needs.
Reports to: Program Manager
Duties and Responsibilities:
· Protect client confidentiality
· Provide a welcoming, calm, courteous presence in the office and on the phones
· Facilitate support groups, events and retreats
· Visit clients in the hospital or at home as prearranged with supervisor
· Serve as the primary contact person for Latina and monolingual Spanish-speaking members
· Keep accurate computer records of all member contacts
· Perform community outreach to Spanish-speaking HIV positive women
· Work with the Program Manager to develop new programs to better serve our Latina members
· Assist other staff members with event planning, community outreach and fund-raising activities
· Work with co-workers to develop an effective team to fulfill the BABES Network mission
· Meet regularly with the Program Manager to assess and adjust program strategies
· Attend weekly staff meetings and assist with rotating duties such as facilitating and note-taking
· Help keep common spaces clean, orderly and welcoming
· Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
· Must be an HIV positive woman
· Must be fluent in English and Spanish, native Spanish speakers preferred
· Ability to maintain client confidentiality
· Ability to set healthy boundaries
· Ability to communicate and work with staff, members and volunteers from a variety of racial, cultural and economic backgrounds
· Knowledge of and sensitivity toward issues affecting women living with HIV/AIDS
· Willingness to speak publicly about one’s own experiences as an HIV positive woman
· Ability to represent the BABES program to health care providers, community groups, media outlets and people at-risk for HIV infection, newly diagnosed and/or previously underserved
· Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Outlook
· Good verbal and written communication skills
· Flexibility and ability to multi-task
· Willingness to learn new skills as needed
· High School diploma or equivalent
· Experience with peer counseling, health education and/or public speaking preferred
Rate, Hours and Benefits:
· $14.25/hour+, DOE
· 10-20 hours per week, some evenings and weekends required
· Positions of 20 or more hours per week include pro-rated, accrued YWCA benefits including medical, vacation, sick leave and holiday pay.
To apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter electronically to Program Manager Sarah Kent at sarah@babesnetwork.org, via fax to 206.720.5901 or by mail to BABES Network-YWCA, 1118 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101.
