Family Advocate

Job Code:  21-1021

Salary: $17.79 - $34.30

Status:  Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Permanent

Location:  Family Advocate Building

Department: CAP/Office of the Family Advocate

Reports To: Lead Family Advocate

Telecommute: Yes

Fleet: Yes 

Mandated Reporter: Yes

Background: PL 101-630
 

SUMMARY:  Under the direction of the Lead Family Advocate, the Family Advocate is responsible for helping families that have experienced trauma, from incidences of domestic and family violence, sexual assault, medical, or any other significant events/crises that may be affecting their lives at the time, in a trauma-informed manner.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide trauma-informed intervention and short-term case management services to individuals and families who are victims of crime, experiencing homelessness, are experiencing economic hardship, who are navigating the legal system, or who need to apply for benefits such as SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, SSI, or SSD.
• Respond to non-life-threatening crisis situations using sound professional judgement, ethical practice, and common sense.
• Initiate intake with victims/community members who are referred to the program or who call to request assistance.
• Serve as a liaison helping to facilitate necessary collaborations and interagency coordination efforts on an as needed, case by case basis.
• Provide planning, support, education, referrals, and advocacy to clients/families and coordinates services with other programs or agencies.
• Participate in weekly Family Advocate case management meetings to provide status updates to the Lead Family Advocate to ensure effective communication and collaboration between the staff.
• Participate in the CAP on-call rotation schedule with the ability to respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, violent crimes, homelessness, and other serious or urgent issues that cannot wait until the next business day.
• Establish the necessary collaborations with local agencies and stakeholder contacts in order to engage families, within the community.
• Accompany the individual or family to meetings with service agencies, including but not limited to, legal, social services, and medical programs and organizations.
• Work collaboratively with all Advocates under the CAP program for community outreach and public education.
• Keep families informed about the status of criminal or civil proceedings and provide support as needed. Will attend court hearings when required and track upcoming court dates.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case records and statistics in the case management software and utilize data to help formulate all required reports.
• Observes strict confidentiality for clients and their families.
• Obtain and maintain appropriate training and certifications per the CAP Program Manager’s staff training plan.
• Ability and willingness to travel to job-related trainings, conferences and meetings
• Other related duties as assigned.

Mandated Reporter: Must become a mandated reporter prior to having contact with children in a job-related capacity and maintain that status throughout employment. This includes completing any necessary training and adhering to all reporting obligations as defined by applicable laws and tribal policies.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: There are no supervisory responsibilities for this position. 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Due to the sensitive nature of information obtained, must maintain strict confidentiality at all times.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:                                                                                          

• Associate’s Degree in Human Services or a Related field with 2 years’ experience in Human Services; OR
• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or Related field.
• One year of experience working with trauma survivors preferred. 

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Strong oral and written communication skills required. Must have computer skills including Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe, and the willingness and ability to learn varying databases. Ability to interact sensitively with traumatized populations and to handle crisis appropriately.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to creatively solve problems, think logically, and remain calm in intense or stressful situations. 

Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license in accordance with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Fleet Policy.  

The successful candidate must pass a drug test and background check prior to employment.