Community Resources and Advocacy Resource Advocate Job Northampton Massachusetts USA,Social Work

Position: Community Resources and Advocacy Resource Advocate (37.5 hr./wk.; $21.91 - $23.25/hr.)

Community Resources & Advocacy Resource Advocate

Community Resources & Advocacy (CR&A) provides supportive services and referrals for community members in the Community Action Pioneer Valley (CAPV) service area. CR&A receives thousands of inquiries and works with hundreds of households per year. CR&A Resource Advocates answer the information and referral phone line and web inquiries and make internal and external referrals. CR&A Resource Advocates help participants apply for public benefit programs, such as SNAP, and work with eligible participants to offer financial assistance.

This position provides in-depth screening, application assistance, advocacy, education, and other follow-up services. We are exploring new CR&A service models focused on longer-term case management for individuals and families. This position will conduct case management/advocacy services alongside participants, focusing on financial and housing stability.

Essential Responsibilities:

Meet with individuals and families in person and/or over the phone or through video to do in-depth assessments. Assist with a variety of applications for benefit programs and financial assistance offered both through our agency and other community partners.

Provide advocacy and assistance to individuals navigating systems to assist in obtaining the best possible outcome for their situation. In the future, provide individual support/case management to 15-25 participants. Work with participants to establish and support progress toward their goals.

Answer the CR&A phone line and web inquiries. Provide comprehensive benefits screening, information, and referrals to callers while maintaining the agency's customer service standards. Schedule appointments for eligible participants.

Maintain knowledge of the availability and program guidelines for resources serving low-income households offered in our service area and be able to share this information with participants and team members.

Maintain participant files in accordance with CR&A guidelines. Ensure participant files and applications meet income eligibility and program requirements and review with supervisor for approval.

Contact vendors and landlords to make pledges for approved financial assistance applications. Prepare letters and gather documents required for fiscal processing.

Follow CR&A guidelines for the use of required database systems following grant and security protocol. Ensure required data is completed in an accurate and timely manner. Use the referral and inquiries data system to record and track phone and web inquiries.

Follow guidelines, procedures, and policies of the program's funding sources, of the Community Services department, and of CAPV.

Limited remote work is available complying with the agency's policy.

Required to travel occasionally throughout CAPV's service area, to the CR&A office location in Greenfield, and outside of the service area.

Attend regularly scheduled supervision meetings, staff and department-wide meetings, mandatory agency trainings, and participate in professional development activities.

Maintains strict confidentiality.

Perform other reasonable duties as assigned by the supervisor, director, or designee

This does not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications/Skills

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:

Interpersonal communication – verbal and written
Conflict resolution, problem-solving, establishing priorities, navigating change
Judgement and decision-making
Practiced organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to adapt to changing priorities
Openness to understanding participants as experts of their own varied experiences and identities with empathy and patience
Skillful relationship building with participants, staff, and community partners
Balance of initiative to work independently and interest/ability to collaborate with others
Promote equity by deconstructing barriers to a racially just system. Cultivate work environments that value truth-telling, courage, vulnerability, space to think and reflect, community-mindedness, hope, and openness to difficult conversations

Key Knowledge and

Experience:

Knowledge of social services, advocacy, and navigating resources
Knowledge of Franklin and Hampshire counties and North Quabbin regional organizations and resources
Experience working with marginalized communities and individuals with low incomes supporting stability efforts and providing case management and advocacy for individuals
Experience with any of the following: housing/tenant rights, eviction proceedings, utility shut-off procedures, affordable housing resources and programs
Experience with data management, data capture, tracking methods and analysis for outcome measurements
Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Suite and databases)
Bi-lingual in…