Veteran Advocate

The Wellspring; Monroe (LA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wellspring in Monroe, LA seeks a Veteran Advocate to support Veterans experiencing homelessness in the VA GPD program. You will provide low-barrier, same-day access to shelter and guide Veterans toward permanent housing and income goals.

You will conduct outreach, intake, ISPs, connect to VA benefits, meals, transportation, and crisis intervention, while documenting care with confidentiality and respect.

Qualifications

• Minimum: High School education or equivalent.
• Enrolled in or pursuing a related degree preferred.
• Two years of experience in human services or outreach.
• Knowledge of veterans and housing services preferred.

Responsibilities

• Outreach to Veterans experiencing homelessness on a regular schedule.
• Complete same-day intakes and admissions.
• Develop and review Individual Service Plans (ISPs).
• Connect Veterans to VA benefits and community resources.
• Support housing placement and income strategies.
• Document accurately in HMIS.
• Maintain confidentiality and trauma-informed approach.

Skills

Empathy

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Confidentiality

Team collaboration

Advocacy

Communication skills

Non-judgmental

Rapid decision making

Cultural responsiveness

Education

High School diploma

Pursuing social work/related degree

Tools

HMIS

Job description

Job Title: Veteran Advocate

Job Purpose: The Veteran Advocate supports Veterans experiencing homelessness who are living in Wellspring’s VA Grant and Per Diem (GPD) transitional housing program. The Veteran Advocate offers low-barrier, same-day access to a safe place to stay and walks alongside each Veteran, using a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach that respects Veterans as the authors of their own lives, as they work toward permanent housing, increased income, and long-term stability.

Experience & Knowledge:

• Minimum of High School education or equivalent
• Preferred: currently enrolled in or pursuing a degree in social work, psychology, counseling, sociology, human services, or a related field
• Two years experience working with people, preferably in human services, housing, or outreach
• Experience with Veterans, homelessness, mental health, or substance use preferred; military service or lived experience welcome
• Knowledge of community resources and benefits programs in Northeast Louisiana
• Valid Louisiana driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of auto insurance

Skills and Abilities:

• Must be sensitive to the needs of others
• Maintains confidentiality
• Has the ability to work with Veterans in a manner that is trauma-informed, respectful, and non-judgmental
• Supports Veterans in making their own choices and setting their own goals
• Communicates and interacts with other staff, Veterans, VA staff, community partners, and volunteers from various backgrounds
• Acts as an advocate for Veterans at all times
• Maintains poise in crisis situations
• Promotes a spirit of cooperation and respect in a shared living environment
• Has the ability to act quickly when a Veteran is ready for housing or services
• Exhibits flexibility within the work environment, including a non-traditional schedule
• Possesses the ability to work as part of a team that supports Veterans
• Accepts change
• Maintains personal appearance consistent with agency standards
• Exhibits effective verbal and written communication skills, including accurate, timely documentation
• Assumes responsibility for personal learning

Core Values of Staff:

Compassion. We act with compassion toward others and work for the good of others by respecting people as the authors of their own

lives.

Customer Service. We work to delight our customers, both internal and external

Integrity. We act with the integrity that promotes the highest confidence, trust and accountability

Leadership. We demonstrate leadership in our organization and the community.

Teamwork. We work as a team, achieving more collectively than individually.

Job Related Training Courses/Programs:

• Orientation, including confidentiality, conflict of interest standards, and incident reporting procedures
• Annual suicide prevention training (such as VA S.A.V.E.) and the agency’s suicide prevention procedures developed with the local VA medical facility
• Crisis Intervention and de-escalation
• Trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and housing-focused case management
• VA Grant and Per Diem program requirements (38 CFR Part 61)
• HMIS data entry and data quality
• Mandated reporting of child abuse and neglect under Louisiana law
• On-going in-service training on Veteran culture, military trauma, homelessness, substance use, and cultural responsiveness
• Residential staff meetings and trainings

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conducts outreach and engagement with Veterans experiencing homelessness by
  Going out on a regular schedule to streets, camps, parks, vehicles, abandoned buildings, and emergency shelters, including during evening and weekend hours,
  Reaching Veterans who may not see themselves as eligible, including those with other-than-honorable discharges, and connecting them to the VA for an eligibility determination,
  Increasing outreach when beds are open so Veterans are not left waiting, and
  Participating in coordinated entry, the Veteran by-name list, and case conferencing for the LA-505 Northeast Louisiana Continuum of Care.
• Provides low-barrier, same-day access to the program by
  Completing intakes on the same day a Veteran is identified or referred by the VA or a community partner, including nights and weekends,
  Keeping entry requirements to the minimum allowed by program policy and helping remove delays such as missing documents,
  Welcoming Veterans to the program, explaining program guidelines and what to expect, and completing the intake packet, and
  Distributing basic need items and helping each Veteran settle in.
• Provides for Veteran physical and emotional needs by
  Establishing personal rapport with each Veteran and listening carefully and without judgment,
  Working with each Veteran to develop and regularly review an Individual Service Plan (ISP) with goals for housing, income, health, and support networks,
  Connecting Veterans to VA, Medicare, Medicaid, and community medical, mental health, and substance use care,
  Supporting access to at least three nutritious meals a day, seven days a week, and
  Arranging or providing transportation to appointments, employment, and services.
• Helps Veterans move into permanent housing and increase income by
  Helping Veterans search for, apply for, and secure permanent housing, and engaging landlords,
  Teaching tenant rights and responsibilities, budgeting for rent, and how to resolve conflicts with landlords and neighbors,
  Supporting job search, job training, and employment, and connecting Veterans to workforce and Department of Labor resources,
  Assisting with applications for VA benefits, SSI/SSDI, SNAP, and other income supports, and
  Connecting Veterans to aftercare such as GPD Case Management or SSVF before discharge to prevent a return to homelessness.
• Promotes a safe, respectful shared living environment by
  Making and documenting daily contact with each Veteran and meeting residential supervision requirements under 38 CFR § 61.80(b)(13),
  Conducting resident meetings and supporting Veteran voice in the operation of the facility,
  Securing the facility at the designated time and conducting checks throughout the night, and
  Upholding the program’s clean and sober environment policy in a supportive way that keeps Veterans engaged in services after a relapse.
• Maintains the cleanliness and safety of the residential facility by
  Completing and turning in a daily task list,
  Receiving, sorting, and distributing donations and food deliveries,
  Following the regular cleaning schedule and supporting residents with shared chores, and
  Reporting maintenance or safety concerns so the facility continues to meet VA inspection standards.
• Provides crisis intervention for Veterans by
  Responding to crises calmly and respectfully, and coordinating with the VA medical facility and community partners for urgent medical, psychiatric, or substance use needs,
  Recognizing signs of suicide risk and following agency suicide prevention procedures, including connection to the Veterans Crisis Line, and
  Reporting any critical incident (such as injury, overdose, or death) to the supervisor immediately so the agency can notify the VA GPD Liaison within 24 hours.
• Supports medication safety by
  Following the program’s medication control procedures and documenting as required.
• Assures quality service by
  Upholding program guidelines, VA Grant and Per Diem requirements (38 CFR Part 61), and grant terms and conditions,
  Entering timely and accurate data into HMIS and agency files, including intakes, ISPs, progress notes, daily contacts, and discharges,
  Supporting program performance goals for exits to permanent housing, employment and income at discharge, and fewer negative exits, and
  Following agency procedures.
• Assumes responsibility for professional development by
  Attending educational workshops, seminars, and agency staff meetings and trainings.
• Contributes to the team effort by
  Communicating effectively with other staff persons,
  Exhibiting a willingness to help other staff,
  Demonstrating flexibility in work situations,
  Engaging in friendly, supportive, and cooperative contacts with others.
• Maintains safety of Veterans and staff at all times by
  Complying with agency procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Performs other duties as related to the position and as assigned
  Work non-traditional hours, including evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays, as scheduled,
  Work alternate schedules during special projects or to meet agency deadlines.