Job Announcement: Family Advocate - Opening Doors Rapid Re-Housing/Safe Home Projects

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR HUMAN SOLUTIONS

Job Title:                    Family Advocate – Opening Doors Rapid Re-Housing/Safe Home Projects

Department:               Social Services

Reports to:                 Deputy Director

Hours:                         Generally 8-5 M-F, occasional evening and weekend work may be required

Benefits:                     Medical, dental, paid holidays, personal leave, AD & D, short and long term disability

Compensation:           $13.90/hour ($28,912/year)

Status:                        Non-Exempt

Location:                    Outer SE Portland

SUMMARY

 

CRITICAL PERFORMANCE FACTORS:

1.      Conduct in-depth needs assessments with all households in need to identify a history and profile to assess the following:  housing history, income and work history, physical/emotional health treatment, criminal history, debt, social support and available resources, etc.

2.      Assist each household to develop and track implementation of a goal plan that systematically addresses the actions needed to achieve self-sufficiency including but not limited to development of personal and work skills, employment, increased income, housing stability, transportation and child care.

3.      Facilitate budget discussions with households to formulate and implement a plan that allows them to successfully manage financial resources, provide for current needs, address debts and plan for the future.

4.      Use creativity and resourcefulness to ensure that households are aware of all community resources available for them and advocate with other service providers for the needs of families as appropriate.

5.      Maintain accurate, complete, up-to-date documentation of service activities using Human Solutions procedures, forms and data reporting systems.  Submit paperwork in a timely manner.

6.      Maintain current case notes and goal plan for each household assigned and make regular entries regarding their activities to achieve goals.

7.      Ability to understand and follow complex written and oral instructions, rules and procedures; to work independently and to be a vital and contributing part of a team.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge and abilities required.

Knowledge of:

·        Social and economic issues creating poverty, working successfully with practices and techniques related to people with low income to achieve greater self- sufficiency. 

·        Community resources and agencies providing social services needed by the homeless population.

Ability to:

·        Apply required knowledge and identify in partnership with clients their needs and effective solutions

·        Non-judgmentally elicit information and help problem solve around sensitive issues including but not limited to alcohol and drug use, domestic violence, child abuse and mental health.

·        Plan and coordinate delivery of services

·        Empower and support clients in life choices and change

·        Provide leadership and to facilitate group process, and to relate and work cooperatively with all volunteers and staff

·        Develop and maintain productive working relationships within Human Solutions, with public and private agencies, the general public and clients

·        Be culturally sensitive to and communicate respectfully with a broad diversity of families

·        Prepare and maintain clear, accurate, complete and timely records and reports

·        Maintain professional boundaries with all families served

 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

·        Any combination of education and work experience in social services and case management totaling two years. Bachelor’s Degree in social sciences or related field preferred but not required.

·        Experience with crisis intervention, community networking and resource development.

·        Bi-Lingual Spanish/English or Russian/English preferred but not required.

·        General computer and word processing skills and willingness to learn other computer skills.

 

TRANSPORTATION

LANGUAGE SKILLS

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

REASONING ABILITY

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and distance vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

 

TO APPLY