Community Care Advocate - High Volume Call Center (multiple positions available)

United Way for Southeastern Michigan; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Major medical

Dental

Vision

403(b) retirement plan

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

AD&D

Pet insurance (ASPCA)

DoorDash discount

Paid time off (20 days)

Holidays (12)

Floating holiday

Job summary

United Way for Southern Michigan is seeking a Community Care Advocate to answer calls, provide information, and refer clients to social services. You will handle high volumes with empathy, using strong listening skills to assess needs and connect callers with local resources.

The role requires compassionate communication in a fast-paced environment, with a full-time schedule from 12:30 PM to 9:00 PM, and a comprehensive benefits package. Equal机会 employer committed to inclusion.

Qualifications

• High school diploma; social services coursework or experience preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in a high-volume crisis center.
• Basic computer skills including MS Word, Outlook, Excel, and Internet searches.

Responsibilities

• Process a high volume of incoming calls from low-income clients seeking information and referrals for social services.
• Employ listening skills to understand all caller needs.
• Demonstrate empathy and care without judgment.
• Identify and offer effective solutions to expressed and latent needs.
• Connect callers with resources in the caller's area.
• Utilize the department's database information for efficient outcomes.
• Report inaccurate database information for correction.
• Record caller data according to policies.
• Represent United Way 2-1-1 at community events.

Skills

Listening skills

Empathy

Customer service

Telephone communication

Education

High school diploma

Social services coursework/experience preferred

Tools

MS Word

Outlook

Excel

Internet searches

Job description

Every day, United Way for Southern Michigan (UWSEM) works alongside community partners, donors, and nonprofits to create measurable, lasting change across southeastern Michigan. By investing in programs that support education, economic stability, and health, UWSEM helps ensure individuals and families have the resources they need not just to get by, but to thrive. Our work is grounded in collaboration, accountability, and a deep commitment to the communities we serve.

This full‑time position offers a hourly pay rate of $19.24, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes major medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 403(b) retirement plan, short‑and long‑term disability, AD&D coverage, ASPCA pet insurance, a DoorDash discount, 20 days of paid time off per year, 12 paid holidays, and one floating holiday.

The Community Care Advocate answers calls and provides information and referrals to community members who are in need of assistance. The incumbent in this position demonstrates compassion and empathy while employing exceptional listening skills in order to fully understand caller's needs and recommend effective alternatives for resolution.

Key Responsibilities

• Process a high volume of incoming calls from low-income clients seeking information and referrals for social services. This may include: food, clothing, shelter and housing, and utility bill payment assistance.
• Employ listening skills in order to understand all of the caller's needs.
• Demonstrate a high degree of empathy, showing the appropriate levels of care and understanding, without being, or being perceived as, judgmental.
• Identify and offer effective solutions to both expressed and latent needs.
• Connect callers with resources in the caller's area that offer assistance.
• Utilize the department's database information, demonstrating technical skills that lead to efficient and effective outcomes.
• Report inaccurate database information to the Resource group for correction.
• Record caller data accordingly to prescribed policies.
• Represent United Way 2-1-1 at community events designed to inform people in the community about 2-1-1 services.

In addition to the core responsibilities of the position, may be asked, or may seek, to engage unique abilities, strengths and passions through participation on cross-functional teams.

Competencies

• Communicates Effectively
• Relationship Management
• Adaptability
• Tenacity
• Continuous Learning
• Self-Management
• Drives for Results
• Problem Solving / Critical Thinking
• Customer Focus
• Teamwork and Inclusion
• Self-Awareness

Demonstrated Abilities

• High-impact, customer-focused telephone communication skills
• Effective listening and problem solving involving customer service via telephone
• Ability to function successfully in a fast-paced, often stressful work environment

Acquired Knowledge

• High school diploma, with some social services coursework or experience preferred
• A minimum of 1 year of experience in a high-volume crisis center
• Basic computer skills, including MS Word, Outlook, Excel, and Internet searches

United Way for Southern Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities and skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable disabled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

The schedule for this position is 12:30 PM - 9:00 PM M-F

This job posting will close 11/16/2026

customer service, call center, case manager, high volume, customer service associate, customer representative CSR, intake, crisis, queue, customer satisfaction

Salary: $19.24 per hour