Housing Advocate - Daytime Drop In Center

Champlain-Valley-Office-of-Economic-Opportunit; St. Albans (VT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid holidays

Generous time off

Retirement plan

Gym membership discount

Job summary

Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity seeks a Housing Advocate for Samaritan House Shelter to provide client-centered, trauma-informed support for emergency housing clients and others experiencing homelessness.

You will help clients secure housing and access benefits while coordinating with medical, mental health, and social services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of social or human services or a combination of education and experience from which comparable skills and knowledge are acquired.
• A commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• In-depth knowledge of the causes and effects of homelessness, affordable housing, poverty, economic justice and multiple oppressions affecting economically vulnerable groups preferred.
• Direct experience in advocacy and service provision to individuals affected by housing and economic insecurities preferred.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record and access to reliable transportation and willingness and ability to travel within the CVOEO service area.
• Ability to uphold safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee our daytime drop-in center and address basic needs.
• Support emergency housing clients and others experiencing homelessness to secure housing and access benefits.
• Refer clients to medical, mental health and substance use services and coordinate with partners for housing options.

Skills

Advocacy

Trauma-informed

Client-centered

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social/human services

Job description

Description

CVOEO is seeking a Housing Advocate at our Samaritan House Shelter who will provide client-centered, trauma-informed support for emergency housing clients and others experiencing homelessness with the ultimate goal of empowering the client to access safe, sustainable housing. Housing Advocates work with clients to secure housing and access essential benefits, and refer people to medical, mental health and substance use disorder services. Housing Advocates work with an array of community partners to help clients 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. Housing Advocates work in partnership with clients to promote a sense of community and continue to work with clients as needed once they’re successfully housed. This position includes overseeing our daytime drop-in center, open to all address basic needs. A flexible schedule based on business needs and some local travel are required.

Starting pay: $26.50-$28.50 per hour

Housing Advocate

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of social or human services or a combination of education and experience from which comparable skills and knowledge are acquired.
• A commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• In-depth knowledge of the causes and effects of homelessness, affordable housing, poverty, economic justice and multiple oppressions affecting economically vulnerable groups preferred.
• Direct experience in advocacy and service provision to individuals affected by housing and economic insecurities preferred.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record and access to reliable transportation and willingness and ability to travel within the CVOEO service area.
• Ability to uphold safety standards.

When you come to work for CVOEO you're getting so much more than a paycheck!

We offer a great working environment and an excellent benefit package including medical, dental and vision insurance, paid holidays, generous time off, a retirement plan and discounted gym membership.

We are one of the 2026 Best Places to Work in Vermont!