Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Community-Based Advocate

Department: Mission Impact

WHO WE ARE: We offer compassionate support and safe housing choices for survivors of domestic violence and their children. We specialize in fresh starts – letting survivors lead the way in creating their own paths forward. We serve everyone – women and men, transgender and nonbinary – because everyone is welcome, everyone belongs.

Community-Based Housing Advocate represents the core values and mission of the organization and is responsible for advocating for survivors of interpersonal abuse by providing mobile, flexible, holistic, and trauma-informed case management, access to flexible funding resources, supportive services, and appropriate community referrals designed to foster overall wellbeing and housing stability. As a vital part of the Advocacy Team, Community-Based Housing Advocates work with all team members to ensure a warm environment is maintained while ensuring resources are provided to all survivors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned

1. Ensures all program services are delivered according to a voluntary service and trauma-informed care model, complies with all funding source guidelines, and empowers all program participants to achieve goals that improve their well-being and guide them on their journey to permanent housing with a housing first mindset.
2. Occasionally, complete Coordinated Entry Assessments with community members experiencing homelessness due to fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence.
3. Provides holistic case management, crisis intervention support services, safety planning, triage resources, and referrals to survivors who will participate in Coburn Place rapid-rehousing programming to aid in their successful transition to safe, affordable permanent housing.
4. Ensures all program participants receive proper orientation into the program, and an individual plan is developed aimed at assisting each survivor to thrive.
5. Assist survivors in creating personalized assessment plans that focus on their chosen goals for immediate and long-term safety, emotional and social well-being, self-sufficiency, and secure, sustainable housing.
6. Facilitate connections to supportive services at Coburn Place and other relevant community resources.
7. Engages with the Housing Navigator and local housing service providers, landlords, and property managers as part of a robust housing curriculum and referral system.
8. Participates in rotating on-call schedule to provide crisis intervention support to callers and program participants. During work hours, keep the location finder activated on company-provided cell phones for safety purposes.
9. On occasion, facilitate support groups, workshops, or educational sessions for survivors.
10. Ensures all required programming data and outcomes, as well as client file documentation (including electronic client database) is completed accurately and in a timely manner according to standards. Works with the team to ensure that all data is collected and tracked appropriately.
11. Acts as a mandatory reporter and engage with the Department of Child Services in the event of any suspected child abuse or neglect.
12. Promotes an open and supportive flow of communication within the department and with other departments. Works with other direct service staff to ensure that the program is working cohesively to provide seamless and holistic supportive services to families served by Coburn Place.

Competencies:

• Case Management
• Crisis Management
• Attention to Detail
• Oral/Written Communication
• Residential/Low-Income Housing (or Overcoming Barriers to Obtaining Residential/Low-Income Housing)
• Ability to take initiative and utilize creative problem-solving to make decisions based on changing needs
• Work collaboratively within a fast-paced, solutions-focused team.

TYPICAL INTERACTIONS:

• 60% with program participants
• 20% with Advocacy and Housing team members
• 15% with Housing Program Director
• 5% with Coburn Place staff (across all departments)

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty according to the requirements of Coburn Place. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. /B.S.) in psychology, social work or other related field; and two plus year’s related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Previous advocacy/case management work in domestic violence intervention, response and/or prevention in a non-for-profit environment is preferred.
• Previous experience working with individuals experiencing housing instability and knowledge of housing stabilization resources is preferred.
• A valid Indiana driver’s license and a satisfactory MVR are required for this position.
• A clear DCS history, and clear criminal and sex offender background checks are required.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate thinks and acts strategically, anticipates and addresses barriers, and considers how actions and decisions impact individuals and the organization. Highly organized and uses transparent tools and systems to monitor performance of complex goals. Must possess a clear driving record. Must clear national, state, and local law enforcement criminal and sexual offender background checks and DCS history background check.

ADA DISCLAIMER:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the above representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This job description is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive list of all functions and duties performed for this position. Factors such as regular attendance on the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function.

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