ADVOCATE I

Community Bridges; Watsonville (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Bridges is seeking an Advocate I in Watsonville, CA to provide direct client services, assess needs, and refer to essential resources. You will collect data, support program activities, and help with events while maintaining compliance with funders.

The role requires bilingual English/Spanish and the ability to lift up to 25 lbs, with computer-based tasks and community outreach as core duties.

Qualifications

• AA/AS degree in Psychology, Sociology, Community Studies or related field preferred.
• At least 2 years of experience in human services or a related field preferred.
• Must be able to work at a computer for full workdays; some routine lifting and reaching required.
• Must lift up to 25 lbs.
• Valid CA Driver’s License with access to drive; insured.
• Must pass a criminal background check and maintain a clean record.
• Advocates who transport clients must pass pre-employment drug screen and periodic testing.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required.

Responsibilities

• Greet clients by phone and in person; assess needs and provide information and referrals; maintain a resources database.
• Help clients obtain, complete, and submit applications for housing, health insurance, education, employment, and more.
• Provide immediate, short-term assistance in crisis situations.
• Offer basic life skills education and follow up on referrals and applications.
• Assist with Center food distribution and may transport clients as needed.
• Collect, organize, and record data; enter into central system; ensure funder reporting compliance.
• Assist with community events; conduct outreach to raise program visibility; represent the Center at events.
• Complete trainings; attend staff meetings; act as State Mandated Reporter; build positive community relationships.
• May work at other Family Resource Collective sites; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Data entry

Client assessment

Referral services

Bilingual English/Spanish

Crisis intervention

Education

AA/AS degree in Psychology, Sociology, Community Studies or related field

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: La Manzana Community Resources - Watsonville, CA 95076, Position Type: Limited-Term, Salary Range: $23.34 - $26.04 Hourly, Job Shift: 37.5 hrs/wk, Community Bridges envisions a thriving community where every person has the opportunity to unleash their full potential. Our family of ten programs delivers essential services, provides equitable access to resources, and advocates for health and dignity across every stage of life.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Under general supervision by the Program Manager, the Advocate I provides a combination of direct human services and referrals to community members in need. The incumbent collaborates with program staff, collects data, and performs other duties as required to provide clients with access to resources that offer stability and hope for the future.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Client Services:

• In rotation with other staff, greets clients over the phone and in person, assesses their needs, and provides them with information and/or referral to any relevant services; maintains a database of current community resources and services.
• Helps clients obtain, complete, and submit applications and forms for a variety of services, including housing, health insurance, education, employment, and others.
• Provides immediate, short-term assistance to clients in crisis.
• Provides basic life skills education.
• Follows up on referrals and applications as necessary.
• In collaboration with other staff, sets up and assists with the Center’s food distribution.
• May transport clients as needed.

Data Entry and Program Support:

• Collects,l organizes, and records data about clients and services; enters data into a centralized system, and compliance with the reporting requirements of all funders.
• Assists with all aspects of community events hosted by the Center.
• Performs outreach to raise program visibility in the community—represents the program at events, distributes informational material, and maintains contact with other relevant organizations and government bodies.

Professional Conduct:

• Completes all training requirements, including maintaining any accreditation, as required by Community Bridges and its funders; engages in ongoing training and development to ensure effective programming.
• Attends all required staff meetings.
• Serves as a State Mandated Reporter for vulnerable populations.
• Communicates and works effectively and respectfully with people from different racial, ethnic and cultural groups and from different backgrounds and lifestyles; demonstrates a knowledge of and sensitivity to their needs. Will work with specialized populations that may include the homeless, foster families, youth on probation, and others.
• Develops and maintains positive community relationships with clients, coworkers, supervisors, partners, stakeholders, and the public.
• Assists in the training of new staff, interns, and volunteers through job shadowing.
• In accordance with the Community Bridges Customer Service Plan, provides excellent customer service to clients, colleagues, and the public.
• May be required to work at other Family Resource Collective sites as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job descriptions are intended to be illustrative only; they are not designed to be restrictive or to define each and every assigned duty and responsibility. In an organization of this nature, each employee is expected to perform such duties as necessary to fulfill the stated goals of the agency.

We screen all applicants, require background checks on final candidates consistent with funding regulation requirements and are a Drug-Free Work Place.

UNION:

The advocate I position is represented by the SEIU bargaining unit.

OTHER JOB DETAILS:

• This is a FLSA non-exempt position.
• Hours are most commonly Monday-Friday, between 9AM-5PM, however, occasional weekend and evening work may be required.
• The position is eligible for a $.40/$.10 per hour bilingual/biliterate differential after passing a test administered by the HR Department.
• Regular on-site attendance is required.

Qualifications: EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Knowledge of:

• Standard office practices and procedures, including filing, record keeping and gathering of detailed information;
• Social service programs and other community resources, as well as their eligibility and enrollment requirements;
• The particular challenges facing at-risk populations and best practices for helping them overcome those challenges; and
• Effective outreach and marketing principles and practices.

Ability to:

• Manage competing priorities;
• Maintain organized, accurate information and records;
• Communicate effectively with diverse populations;
• Work independently and with a team;
• Use a computer, including word processing, email, and data management programs, as well as other ancillary office equipment;
• Recognize confidential information and maintain it appropriately; and
• Identify strengths and underlying needs in individuals, families, and communities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• AA/AS degree in Psychology, Sociology, Community Studies or a related field preferred.
• At least 2 years of experience in the human service or a related field preferred.
• Must be able to work at a computer for full workdays; some routine lifting and reaching required.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Must have a valid CA Driver’s License, have access to drive a motor vehicle incidental to the performance of the work, and be insured.
• Must pass a criminal background check and maintain a clean record.
• Advocates who transport clients must pass a pre-employment drug screen and comply with periodic testing for drug use and alcohol misuse.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required.