ORGANIZATION: Family Pathways

POSITION TITLE: Community Advocate

TYPE: Full Time | Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Community Advocacy Manager

SALARY: Commensurate salary with experience and Family Pathways pay structure

ORGANIZATIONAL VISION: Every Voice. Every Possibility. Every Day.

ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION: Family Pathways works alongside people to enhance lives through a continuum of essential services and-together with the community-champions positive social change.

POSITION OBJECTIVE: The Community Advocate is responsible to provide crisis intervention, personal and legal advocacy, court support and systems advocacy for individuals affected by domestic violence and/or sexual assault. It is expected Shelter Advocates’ job performance will incorporate the practice and promotion of Family Pathways guiding principles: trust, collaboration, communication, integrity, respect, positivity, and creativity.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Advocacy (75%)

• Provide emotional support, advocacy, crisis intervention and information and referral to callers on the 24-hour crisis line.
• Provide direct advocacy and support services to victims of domestic and sexual violence.
• Assist clients in pursuing civil, criminal and family court remedies.
• Notify victims regarding significant events relating to the investigation and prosecution of the victim’s case.
• Provide trauma-informed and empowerment model services to clients. Assume positive intent.
• Effectively “triage” priorities and multi-task as needed.
• Collaborate with agency staff to review client cases and make recommendations to aid in client success.
• Develop and facilitate an active support group.
• Provide transportation for clients when necessary and with approval.
• Develop and maintain listings of available community resources/referrals and act as a liaison between those resources and clients as needed.
• Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and integrity of sensitive information always.
• Role model positive behavior, interactions, conflict resolution etc. for clients and with other staff.
• Offer support, assistance to and inclusion of volunteers.
• Maintain a welcoming, peaceful, healing office environment for clients.
• Attend and participate in all staff and supervision meetings, training and in-services as required.

Community (15%)

• Greet visitors, callers, and donors, handling their inquiries or directing them to the appropriate person according to their needs.
• Receive, record, thank and organize donations. Financial contributions must be given to the supervisor immediately.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with community partners specifically victim services, county attorney, law enforcement, court services, and family services.
• Participate in outreach and awareness efforts and public speaking engagements as directed.
• Participate in local multi-disciplinary teams as directed.
• Professional behavior, dress and conduct are expected in all aspects of work with clients as well as contact with the community.

Administration (10%)

• Read and communicate through email, text etc. with team; manage and keep calendar current throughout workday.
• Complete documentation to assure compliance with agency standards and funder expectations. Complete necessary electronic entries and all agency required forms in a timely fashion.
• Comply with funder, state and federal rules, laws, and regulations.
• Complete agency forms to document critical incidents or injury, notify supervisor immediately.
• Adhere to and promote Family Pathways organizational, program and personnel policies.
• Report needed repairs to supervisor. Assist in up-keep of the office and grounds. Complete minor repairs.
• Recruit financial donations as opportunities arise.
• Assist with organization and transportation of donations.
• Perform other duties as assigned and work as a team member with staff, volunteers, and administration.

Required:

• Associates Degree in human services or 2 years’ experience in human service field preferably providing domestic/sexual violence advocacy
• Experience working with people who are managing crisis.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed and participate in an on-call rotation.
• Must have a dependable vehicle, a current and valid MN state driver’s license and proof of insurance.

Preferred:

• BS degree in human services or related field

Qualifications:

• Familiar with trauma-informed, client-centered, strength-based and empowerment models
• Experience providing advocacy to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
• Sensitivity and knowledge of the issues regarding domestic violence and sexual assault
• A team player committed to advancing vision, mission, values and team’s guiding principles
• Demonstrated passion to work with diverse and/or low income populations, including those experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, domestic violence and/or mental illness.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive information and confident matters
• Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills; excellent listening skills
• Organized and works well under pressure and manage multiple projects/deadlines
• Position requires ability to sit for extended periods of time, close vision, ability to adjust focus and see color
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Family Pathways is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for their job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.