About Clackamas Women's Services

Staff with bilingual competencies provide an additional and essential value to our organization and we increase our starting wage accordingly for bilingual staff.

Note to Candidates:

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description. Clackamas Women’s Services is committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications as described or if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for or perform job duties.

About Clackamas Women’s Services (CWS):

Clackamas Women’s Services (CWS) was incorporated in 1985 as Clackamas County’s first shelter for survivors escaping family violence and domestic abuse. CWS’ service delivery framework is built on trauma-informed best practices that promote safety and self-determination. Our vision is to live in a society that no longer tolerates domestic and sexual violence but rather thrives on mutual respect.

CWS offers comprehensive, responsive solutions for adults and children impacted by sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, the sex industry, and elder abuse. Through our emergency shelter, A Safe Place Family Justice Center, satellite offices, and throughout the community, CWS coordinates services with other public and private agencies in order to best serve survivors seeking help. Participants in our programs receive no-cost services by highly trained staff.

CWS is committed to building an organizational culture that reflects our values. We envision a community of survivors, staff, partners, volunteers, and donors who are deeply committed to breaking the isolation of domestic and sexual violence. We do this by creating community and partnership, honoring and celebrating survivors, and engaging in work toward equity and social change through community engagement and by investing internally in continual improvement and learning processes. We are dedicated to the ongoing work of creating and sustaining a community where everyone can thrive.

Benefits of working at CWS:

Clackamas Women’s Services is proud to offer competitive wages, paying above market for all positions and offering a full package of benefits, including:

•Professional development opportunities.

•CWS was voted one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon in 2024! (2022 & 2023 too!)

•Work with a heart-centered team providing culturally responsive emergency, transitional, and long-term support and services. CWS helps survivors build hope and resilience so they can achieve their goals for personal safety, physical and mental wellness, financial autonomy, and family stability.

Pay: $25/hour

Position Purpose

The MSW Intern – Advanced Macro Concentration will engage in organizational and systems-level practice with a focus on program evaluation and organizational development. This practicum is designed for an advanced-standing MSW student with a macro concentration and offers opportunities to contribute to organizational learning, policy advocacy, program evaluation, and group facilitation with survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence.

Key responsibilities

Program Assessment & Evaluation

• Conduct organizational assessments using established methods, such as the Hope Scale, Brief Sense of Community Scale, COM Surveys, focus groups, and individual interviews to evaluate the effectiveness of program offerings and participant outcomes.
• Collaborate with Program Leadership to analyze organizational and program data to identify organizational strengths, opportunities for improvement, and recommendations that improve communication, cross-team collaboration, and service delivery.
• Develop a summary report and facilitate a presentation based on research findings.

Public Policy & Legislative Action

• Participate in CWS’s monthly Public Policy Committee, including but not limited to:
• • Monitoring legislation and public policy developments relevant to the CWS’s mission and communities served.
  • Identifying opportunities to elevate survivor voices in policy efforts, including attending state-wide Advocacy Days at Oregon’s State Capitol.

Organizational Development

• Partner with CWS’s HR Team to implement employee feedback processes using surveys, focus groups, and assessment tools to identify emerging themes and create recommendations to enhance the experiences of participants and employees.
• Provide support to strategic planning projects such as building tools for ongoing communication, monitoring, implementation, etc.

Additional Activities: (If schedule / internship priorities allow)

Leadership Development

Partner with CWS’ Admin Team to support leadership development projects such as:

• Create a leadership development plan (i.e. first-time manager training modules, inclusive leadership practices, trauma-informed supervision and coaching guidelines, etc.)
• Create a searchable repository of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), communication templates, decision guides and institutional knowledge to support smooth provision of services and staff supports.

Support Group Facilitation & Curriculum Implementation

• Co-Facilitate psychoeducation support groups for survivors at CWS’ office locations, including participant intakes, feedback surveys, and outreach efforts.

General responsibilities

• Represent the mission and values of CWS to program participants and community partners.
• Keep up-to-date and accurate records. Complete documentation of all services, including intakes, releases of information, demographics tracking, and statistics within the agency database in a timely manner consistent with agency expectations.
• Maintain appropriate participant confidentiality in accordance with advocate privilege, federal statutes and counseling program requirements.
• Work in conjunction with other staff to provide consistent services to participants.
• Represent CWS at community meetings and outreach events within the community.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in a certified Master of Social Work university program. Advanced standing or completion of at least 2 years of master's level coursework required.
• Willingness to complete 40hr Domestic Violence Advocacy Training (provided by CWS).
• Ability to apply an equity lens when organizing information, analyzing data, synthesizing findings, and developing recommendations.
• Demonstrated understanding of the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence and its effect on survivors, their children, and society.
• Demonstrated understanding of systems of oppression, ability to work effectively and non-judgmentally with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and understanding of culturally competent service delivery
• Ability to work both independently and in a team.
• Reliable transportation required; position includes the use of a personal vehicle to complete some tasks.
• Must pass a background check.

Preferred:

• Experience in facilitating research and evaluation.
• Experience in the field of domestic violence, sexual violence, and/or child abuse.
• Demonstrated skills working with diverse populations in a social service setting.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that represents the communities we serve. Women, people of color, LGBT, older adults, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.