Community Advocate

Description

Job Title: Community Advocate

Location: Detroit Warehouse

Hours: Full-Time

Who We Are:

Michigan Humane is a non-profit animal welfare organization dedicated to improving and saving lives through compassionate care, community engagement, and advocacy for animals. For over 140 years, Michigan Humane has been providing compassionate care and advocacy for animals in need, including rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption services. With a team of dedicated professionals and volunteers, Michigan Humane works tirelessly to protect and advocate for the animals and families within our communities.

Why Work with Us:

We’re a mission-based organization, with a commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of animals and families within our communities. If this sounds like something you want to be a part of, we’d love to talk to you.  In addition to being a part of an organization that truly makes a difference, there are plenty of additional reasons to consider joining us, including:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Account
• Opportunities for professional development, growth, and continuing education
• A positive and collaborative work environment
• Work-life balance and flexible working hours (compressed work schedule option!)
• Paid Time Off & Holidays
• Human & Pet Bereavement
• Clinic discounts to up to 75% off services for your own pet(s)
• Relaxed dress code
• Wellness program with professional counseling services available to employees
• Animal food discount
• Free or discounted adoption fees to adopt a new friend.
• Sabbatical Policy
• Uniform Allowance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Yearly performance reviews & employee engagement surveys
• Student Loan Relief Eligibility through Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

The Community Advocate assists with planning, monitoring, and managing all aspects of  Michigan Humane’s Humane Communities initiative, a program that works to support both ends of the leash through compassionate care and human partner referrals. The Community Advocate provides outreach and support services to the Detroit community through direct outreach, partner with other departments to support the whole pet family and work to provide other community-oriented animal welfare services. This person works as a partner to pet owners providing necessary support to keep the animal in the home and out of the shelter, resolving the human-centric issues that lead to surrender in the first place.

Responsibilities:

• Provides outreach services to the community through door-to-door work in Detroit in partnership with the coordinators, attending block clubs and neighborhood meetings, and other outreach services as needed.
• Safety Net programmatic support. Safety Net is a foster program for families who temporarily are unable to care for pets. This role will assist the manager in occasional touch bases and providing navigational support for resources as needed.
• Work with the Volunteer Team to recruit, educate and provide resources for Safety Net foster volunteer families
• Build relationships and rapport in the community to drive conversations around spay/neuter, medical services, and other support we offer as an organization.
• Design a personalized plan for safety net clients and provide relevant resource referrals to promote self-sufficiency with the goal to reunite clients with their pets. 
• Provide educational opportunities to groups in the Detroit community in conjunction with medical staff.
• Coordinate and attend outreach events in order to provide support to underserved and low-income communities in need
• Build effective bridges to other human support partners in order to cultivate referrals to MH services and increase avenues of support for clients we serve.
• Connect clients in crisis to human and pet-centric resources
• Lead on effective community organizing to work with community members in building programs that are community driven and last beyond our engagement.
• Support facility efforts to engage effectively with clients through compassionate, whole-family engagement.
• Distribute pet food and supplies to clients while providing excellent customer service by treating clients with dignity and respect.
• Provide one-on-one customer service and/or humane education to clients, including warm handoffs and referrals to other human services offered in the city.
• Complete daily data entry using databases, spreadsheets, and software programs to track inventory donations and usage as well as volunteer events.
• Miscellaneous projects as requested.

Qualifications:

• Ability to prioritize tasks, take initiative and work in a fast-paced environment
• Well organized with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision or collaboratively with a team
• Ability to solve problems and resolve conflicts, using good interpersonal skills
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. repeatedly
• Ability to consistently adhere to prescribed protocols

Acquired Knowledge:

• Strong customer service skillset critical to success.
• Experience working in the field of Human Service/case management, specifically with low-income populations.
• BSW preferred, or 3 years related experience.
• Willingness to get a chauffeur’s license.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred
• Familiarity with Detroit communities, especially Southwest or North End communities preferred
• Prior experience working with volunteers preferred but not required
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook) together with solid Internet and social media skills.

Join our team at Michigan Humane and make a positive impact, grow your skills and career, and be part of a compassionate and dedicated organization. Apply today!

Qualifications