Senior Consumer Advocate, Transition

ABOUT US: - We believe that everyone deserves a home!

Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness.

But we didn't stop at providing housing. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness - especially those who have been on the streets the longest - to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get, and stay, on the path to a permanent home.

Senior Consumer Advocate, Transition

Reporting to the Director, Housing Placement Services, the Senior Consumer Advocate, Transition manages Consumer Advocates, Transition and partners with Transition Coordinators, program-based staff, and community partners to provide support for clients throughout the stressful move-in process. The Senior Consumer Advocate, Transition ensures quality services, assessments, client engagement, and ensures all required data is entered into databases. The Senior Consumer Advocate, Transition also ensuring clients are acclimating to their new home and help them navigate community resources.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise Consumer Advocates, Transition

• Draw on lived experience of homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues to build rapport with clients and develop appropriate service connections

• Provide a small group of clients post move-in support

• Ensure clients are prepared for the housing process by conducting mock interviews

• Escort clients to housing interviews and viewings

• Conduct post interview follow-up with clients and provide clients with feedback

• Provide clients with support on move-in day into permanent housing, ensuring client is safe, secure, and has the necessary items

• Conduct health surveys before move-in and every 6 months, for 2 years and ensure staff are updating tracker

• Provide clients with community resources (pre and post move-in), as needed

• Maintain record keeping in compliance with agency standards and those of City, State, and Federal agencies

• Document all client interactions in AWARDS database system and ensure Consumer Advocates, Transition have made accurate and timely updates for their clients

• Intervene in crisis situations, when necessary

• Attend clinical supervision and trainings

• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or equivalent required

• Minimum 2 years of experience working with homeless adults and substance use issues required; 1 year of supervisory experience preferred

• Lived experience with homelessness, unstable housing, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues, and willingness to appropriately use lived experience as a tool for building client rapport and developing service connection preferred

• Knowledge of local benefit agencies (e.g., Public Assistance) and familiarity with substance abuse, mental health, immigration, and employment resources

• Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams required; familiarity with AWARDS database preferred

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled