Housing Advocate - Foundations Family Shelter

This job was posted by https://www.vermontjoblink.com : For more information, please see: https://www.vermontjoblink.com/jobs/1419764 Position Description Program Chittenden County Family Shelter Title Family Shelter Housing Advocate Reports to Program Director / Associate Program Director Supervises N/A Job Summary\ The Family Shelter Housing Advocate will provide client-centered, trauma-informed support for emergency\ housing families and others experiencing homelessness with the goal of empowering the family to access\ safe, sustainable housing. The Family Shelter Housing Advocate will work with families to secure housing and\ access essential benefits, and refer people to employment, medical, mental health and substance use\ disorder services. The Family Shelter Housing Advocate will work with an array of community partners to help\ families access options for housing and social services. Addressing barriers to housing and working with\ partner agencies to address those barriers is a crucial aspect of this role. The Family Shelter Housing\ Advocate works in partnership with families to promote a sense of community and may continue to work with\ families as needed once theyre successfully housed. A flexible schedule and local travel are required. Summary of Essential Job Functions:\ Facilitate screenings and intakes for those seeking shelter at the Family Shelter. This requires an understanding of the shelter setup and policies.\ Create and maintain a housing plan with families and conduct one-on-one housing meetings with families at a minimum of once a week providing information and encourage engagement. The goal is to\ move people into transitional and permanent housing as soon as possible and by the end of month 4 of\ their stay at the Family Shelter. Organize and facilitate groups, workshops and educational services for the entire family as directed by the\ Program Director and Associate Director. Assess family barriers to housing and utilize the Agencys programs and those of partner agencies to\ ensure barriers are addressed and essential needs are met. Have a strong understanding of financial assistance programs, lease agreements, rental unit requirements\ and tenant rights. Assist clients in submitting applications and navigating appeals. Build and maintain strong working relationships with local landlords.\ Work with the Program Director and Associate Director to assist in obtaining monetary and in-kind donations as needed for the Family Shelter Program.\ Assist with regular statistical and programmatic reporting requirements.\ Maintain case files for each family in accordance with the Family Shelter Program Manual.\ Assist families in keeping the shelter clean, safe and comfortable.\ Respond to emergency situations in a calm, effective manner.\ Report all shelter issues to the Program Director, Associate Director, Shift Coordinator and Executive Director as needed.\ Monitor policy and new research surrounding economic justice issues which may be pertinent to families.\ Participate in community committees and coalition meetings relevant to issues regarding housing and homelessness as requested.\ Participate in regular meetings with community partners to collaboratively serve all those in need in our community.\ Represent CVOEO in a professional manner in accordance with our mission, beliefs and values.\ Participate in the CVOEO Orientation and CVOEO trainings.\ Participate in weekly staff meetings and regular supervision and programmatic meetings.\ Staff may be asked to cover at different CVOEO homeless programs / sites and/ or conduct outreach.\ Other duties as requested. Minimum Requirements\ Bachelors degree in social or human services or combination of education and experience from which comparable skills and knowledge are acquired.\ Experience and/or work with families and children experiencing homelessness or living in economic poverty.\ Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.\ Effective verbal and written communication skills required; bilingual abilities are a plus.\ In-depth knowledge of the causes and effects of homelessness, affordable housing, poverty, economic justice and multiple oppressions affecting economically vulnerable groups.\ Direct experience in advocacy and service provision to individuals affected by housing and economic insecurities.\ Knowledge of community resources.\ Assessment and case-planning skills.\ Must be well organized, detailed, proficient at prioritizing, and able to adhere to simultaneous deadlines.\ Proficiency in Microsoft Office, computer and data entry skills.\ Demonstrated ability to collaborate with internal and external partners.\ Group facilitation skills include team building and conflict resolution and de-escalation skills.\ Ability to arrive at work on time and to t