Community Advocate - Spanish or Somali Language

Community Action Center (CAC) is a community-based, non-profit, human services organization that provides and advocates for the basic needs of people and families throughout Rice County. Its programs create a robust safety net for low-income families and include food access, housing, employment services, clothing, emergency assistance, youth services, transportation, health care assistance, and more.

CAC’s resources and staff are integral parts of their communities and include partnerships with schools, businesses, faith communities, and other organizations. This extensive local network allows CAC to pursue community-engaged solutions, prioritize partnerships, and collaborate with thousands of volunteers.

Community Advocate

Resource Center Manager

Faribault Resource Center, with occasional travel to other CAC locations and community partner sites throughout Rice County.

Non-Exempt / Hourly

$20-22 per hour

Full Time

40 hours per week

Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm

The Community Advocate supports an organizational culture that is community-based, person-centered, and trauma-responsive. This position provides relational, responsive, and participant-centered services to address the unique needs of individuals accessing support through the Resource Center and in the community. The Community Advocate is responsible for amplifying the voices of participants throughout the community by fostering meaningful relationships, promoting innovative approaches to advocacy, and empowering participants to influence programs, services, and community solutions beyond traditional feedback or advisory opportunities.

CAC’s success is based on the flexibility of its staff and volunteers to dynamically adjust to meet the needs of the community. The primary responsibilities for this job include:

• Conduct intake to reflect the strengths, needs and challenges identified by individuals and families
• Provide appropriate service coordination in response to intake, either through services within CAC or on a referral basis (this may include, but is not limited to:
  Housing resources, emergency financial assistance, safety planning, county social services, emergency food access, clothing, youth scholarships, transportation, etc.)
• Identify service barriers and work to remove them through engagement with the community and by linking participants to formal and informal supports
• Utilize crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills to support families in need, and maintain safety and security of resource center
• Collect data and maintain accurate records for statistical, evaluation and funding purposes, maintaining confidentiality and participant-informed choice
• Assist participants with requests for financial assistance. Ensure request forms are completed. If a financial request is not approved, assist participants in accessing other community resources

• Obtain MNsure certification through CAC
• Guide participants in understanding, applying for, and maintaining health insurance coverage

• Complete housing assessments with individuals or families experiencing homelessness
• Connect individuals and families with emergency shelter resources within CAC or externally, as well as short-term hotel placements
• Ensure prompt case notes, documentation, and data quality within HMIS (Homeless Management Information Systems) and other organizational data and case management systems

• Demonstrate commitment to the agency’s mission: “To…