ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Community Advocate Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Church World Service

Community Organizer

Harrisonburg, VA · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Overview Church World Service (CWS) is seeking a passionate and community-centered Advocacy & Grassroots Organizer to help build the collective power of refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers, and ...

CWS NorCal

Community Organizer

Harrisonburg, VA · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Overview Church World Service (CWS) is seeking a passionate and community-centered Advocacy & Grassroots Organizer to help build the collective power of refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers, and ...

Church World Service

Community Organizer

Harrisonburg, VA · On-site +1

$45K - $56K/yr

Through leadership development, public education, coalition building, issue campaigns, and advocacy, the organizer will support impacted communities in shaping public narrative and influencing policy ...

Somatus, Inc.

Patient Health Advocate- VBC

Lynchburg, VA · On-site

$17.25 - $22.25/hr

As a leading provider of outcomes-driven care for individuals and communities living with chronic ... The Patient Health Advocate (PHA) role supports Somatus high needs Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsCommunity Advocate JobsCommunity Advocate Jobs in Virginia

Community Advocate information

See Virginia salary details

$14

$21

$30

How much do community advocate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for community advocate in Virginia is $21.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.61 and $23.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a community advocate?

A community advocate provides advocacy on behalf of a community and lobbies for development or change within neighborhoods. They are responsible for providing information to citizens about public issues that the community might not be aware of, such as taxes, education finances, environmental issues, and other political and social issues. In this job, your duties may include performing a variety of outreach services, such as holding public meetings, attending city and neighborhood council events, and meeting with politicians, business owners, and other parties in the community. Many community advocates work with a specific population, such as the deaf, battered women, or human populations affected by environmental contamination.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a community advocate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Community Advocate, you need a solid understanding of community issues, advocacy strategies, and relevant social services, often supported by a degree in social work, public administration, or a related field. Familiarity with data collection tools, case management software, and knowledge of local government or nonprofit systems is beneficial. Outstanding interpersonal communication, cultural competency, and organizational skills help advocates build trust and effectively mobilize resources. These skills and qualities are crucial for empowering communities, influencing policy, and ensuring that the needs of marginalized groups are addressed.

What are some common challenges community advocates face when engaging with diverse communities?

Community Advocates often work with individuals from varied backgrounds, which can present challenges such as language barriers, cultural differences, and differing levels of trust in institutions. Building strong relationships requires patience, empathy, and adaptability, as advocates must tailor their communication and support strategies to meet the unique needs of each group. Successful Community Advocates collaborate closely with local organizations and stakeholders to bridge gaps and ensure all voices are heard, fostering a sense of inclusion and empowerment within the community.

What is the difference between Community Advocate vs Community Organizer?

AspectCommunity AdvocateCommunity Organizer
Required CredentialsRelevant experience, sometimes certifications in social work or advocacyExperience in organizing, community outreach, sometimes certifications in community development
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, government agencies, advocacy groupsNonprofits, grassroots initiatives, social service agencies
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across advocacy, social justice, and public policy sectorsCommon in community development, activism, and social services

While both roles focus on supporting communities, a Community Advocate primarily promotes and defends community interests, often working on policy or awareness campaigns. A Community Organizer actively mobilizes community members to take collective action, focusing on grassroots efforts. Both roles are vital in community development but differ in their approach and daily activities.

More about Community Advocate jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Community Advocate jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Community Advocate jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Community Advocate jobs in Virginia?

For Community Advocate jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Community Advocate jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Community Advocate jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Community Advocate jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Community Advocate job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Community Advocate jobs in VA?

For Community Advocate jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Community Advocate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Community Advocate job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,388 per year, or $21.8 per hour.

Victim Advocate - Virginia Beach Police Operations

YWCA South Hampton Roads

Virginia Beach, VA • On-site

$40K - $45K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Provide victim advocacy services, including accompaniment and crisis intervention, to primary and secondary victims of interpersonal violence.

  • Collaborate with law enforcement, legal, and community partners to support clients and maintain communication while ensuring confidentiality.

  • Assist clients during legal proceedings, law enforcement interviews, forensic exams, and provide community referrals and resource information.

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
About YWCA South Hampton Roads
YWCA South Hampton Roads (YWCA SHR) is the oldest and largest multicultural women's organization in the world. YWCA SHR is dedicated to the fullness of its mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
Serving approximately 8,000 individuals each year, YWCA SHR is a source of strength, courage, and empowerment for women and families facing crisis. We are a community catalyst for meaningful change and the advocate for shaping vital impact through quality services responding to the critical needs of survivors of sexual violence and domestic violence. YWCA SHR works across racial, gender, religious and social lines with organizations-partners in all sectors to educate about disparities, advocate for change and provide resources and tools to dismantle oppressive systems.
YWCA SHR is in the midst of a rapid transformation from a well-established direct service provider for women and families facing crisis to an organization working at the intersection of eliminating racism, empowering women, standing up for social justice, helping families, and strengthening our community.
About the Position
Under general supervision of the Survivor Services Director, provides victim advocacy services, victim advocacy accompaniment, legal education, crisis intervention counseling, emotional support, and community referrals to primary and secondary victims of interpersonal violence.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Provide in-person and telephone communication with clients providing; crisis intervention, legal victim advocacy, personal safety planning, service planning, and community referrals
  • Work collaboratively with YWCA staff, law enforcement units, Commonwealth Attorney, and Victim Witness staff to provide immediate and ongoing communication regarding clients while maintaining YWCA confidentiality policies
  • Maintain documentation of clients' requests for services, intervention initiatives, service plans, and services provided through the ECM and VADATA systems
  • Provide advocacy and accompaniment services during legal proceedings, during law enforcement interviews, emergency rooms, local jails, magistrate offices, and during forensic exams to primary and secondary victims of interpersonal violence
  • Provide advocacy and accompaniment services during forensic PERK exams to victims of sexual assault
  • Assist with facilitating sexual assault support group meetings
  • Act as a resource person for staff. Prepare and deliver in-service programs and training for agency staff, interns and volunteers
  • Provide community and allied professional training regarding YWCA services and interpersonal violence
  • Pursue ongoing training and education regarding interpersonal violence, legal issues, community resources, and other related topics
  • Attend staff meetings and attend related professional activities as assigned
  • Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS
We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.
Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, or a related Human Services field required
  • Two (2) years of experience in the field

Other Requirements
  • Must be 18 years of age
  • Must complete the training programs of YWCA SHR
  • Must complete a successful background check

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Must possess a strong understanding of interpersonal violence
  • Demonstrate knowledge of interpersonal violence and a strong commitment to ending violence against women, men, and children
  • Must possess strong organizational skills
  • Must be able to work independently and manage multiple priorities and respond to participants in a professional and reassuring manner
  • Demonstrate ability to act as an advocate on behalf of clients with a working knowledge of legal, medical and social service systems
  • Demonstrate ability to function as part of a team with co-workers
  • Demonstrate ability to work well with people of various ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds
  • Demonstrate ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing
  • Must complete the YWCA Onboarding and Advanced Training
  • Requires willingness to work and travel alone
  • Travel is required; must have and maintain reliable transportation
  • Must have an excellent driving record and have a valid driver's license; certificate of insurance from an insurance carrier licensed in the State of Virginia

CORE VALUES
The Victim Advocate - Virginia Beach Police Operations is expected to model YWCA SHR Core Values:
  • Compassion
  • Honesty
  • Integrity
  • Ownership
  • Responsibility
  • Empowerment

WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed in a typical office environment with a high standard of confidentiality. This role requires working on-site at the Norfolk Police Department to ensure immediate response capabilities and effective collaboration with officers and investigators.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
  • Must have the use of sensory skills to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to: Frequently walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, and talk or hear.
  • Often required to stand and sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, squat, or crawl. Ability to lift and carry up to 20-25 pounds.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
  • The noise level in the work environment is moderately loud.
  • Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office-related equipment, such as but not limited to, a personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine.

COMPENSATION: This position offers a hiring range of $40,000-45,000 that is based on experience and a full benefits packet to include health, vision, and dental insurance, 17 paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, retirement and other benefits. We actively welcome all candidates from a wide range of backgrounds who have the skills to fulfill this role - regardless of compensation history.
START TIMEFRAME: The position will be open until filled. Interested applicants are requested to submit a cover letter and resume to the job posting at www.ywca-shr.org
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) DISCLOSURE: We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and any other status protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS: YWCA SHR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires YWCA SHR to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.
SUBSTANCE USE AND WORKPLACE SAFETY POLICY: It is the policy of YWCA South Hampton Roads to maintain a safe and healthy workplace that is free of the effects of alcohol and drug abuse. Employees, volunteers, and interns of YWCA South Hampton Roads are prohibited from the use, sale, dispensing, distribution, possession, manufacture, or being under the influence of drugs that are illegal under any federal, state or local law.
Salary Description
$40,000 - $45,000

Apply