Family Advocate

Job Title: Family Advocate – Alder Housing Program

Group: Supportive Community Programs

Reports to: Community Programs Manager

Hours: Permanent - Full time, Non-Exempt, generally 8-5 M-F.

Compensation: Starting at $21.02 - $24.95/hour

Want to help make a difference? Our Just Future counters the forces that keep people and communities in poverty by building relationships and assets that create opportunity - today and for future generations.

We partner with people and communities impacted by poverty so they can achieve long-term housing and economic security. We invest in affordable housing and community assets that contribute to strong, inclusive neighborhoods. We advocate with our community for policies and investments that expand housing and economic opportunity, eliminate wealth inequality and end poverty.

East Portland/East Multnomah County, Oregon is our home and the heart of our investments, advocacy and programs.

Our Just Future envisions vibrant, healthy neighborhoods where all people can share in the security, hopes and advantages of a thriving, supportive community.

Our Just Future operates as a nimble, financially strong organization driven by our passion, strategic goals and guiding principles.

Diversity, inclusion and equity are fundamental values for Our Just Future, both internally and externally. OJF has an Equity Council, which acts as an internal board to vet and recommend personnel policies and compensation practices. The council staffed by primarily staff of color in non-management roles. It also helps with diversity-related projects, such as coordinating staff diversity trainings and provides ongoing input into our equity work.

Our Just Future is working to end homelessness and poverty in our community because everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

What Our Just Future Can Offer You: We offer a comprehensive array of benefits in support of your physical, emotional and financial well-being. A few highlights:

• Employer paid premiums for employee health insurance.
• Generous paid time off, 10 paid holidays, a floating birthday holiday and the ability to maintain a great work/life balance.
• Employer paid premiums for short-term and long-term disability insurance and life insurance.
• Access to an employee assistance program.
• Flexible spending accounts for health and for dependent care.
• Professional development opportunities, including employee driven committees and monthly optional staff workshops.
• Access to wellness initiatives and resources including things such as walking groups, yoga classes at two office locations and workshops on stress management, self-care and healthy living.
• Opportunity to contribute to a 401k retirement plan.

SUMMARY

Provide telephone and in-person screening for families with children attending Alder Elementary who are in need of rental assistance due to being homeless or at risk of homelessness. Assist families in finding and/or and stabilizing housing within Alder Elementary school boundaries. Explain agency and community services and eligibility guidelines. Administer short and long term rent assistance with supportive services. Many applicants face multiple challenging issues that may create barriers to housing and self-sufficiency. The office environment is extremely busy and there are many more people seeking services than resources available. Advocate will need to effectively manage time between working at Alder Elementary and Our Just Future’s Rockwood Office and/or working remotely.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Check in regularly with the family while they are in the house searching process.
• Assist each household, receiving rent assistance, to develop and track implementation of a goal plan that systematically addresses the actions needed to achieve self-sufficiency; including but not limited to development of personal and work skills, employment, increased income, housing, transportation and child care. (Overall goals of program are income self sufficiency, housing stability and academic success of children.)
• Perform at least monthly home or office visits with families receiving long term rent assistance.
• Refer households to other services provided by Our Just Future as appropriate, including but not limited to anti-poverty educational groups and domestic violence and employment support services.
• Maintain accurate, complete, up-to-date documentation of service activities using Our Just Future procedures, forms and data reporting systems. Submit paperwork in a timely manner.
• Compile monthly information and referral and short term intervention statistics.
• Maintain current case notes and goal plan for each household and make regular entries regarding the status of their situation and their activities to achieve goals.
• Conduct telephone or written follow ups with each family in accordance with requirements of funding sources.
• Participate in bi-monthly department staff meetings and monthly all staff trainings.
• Participate in community meetings as appropriate, including but not limited to information and referral and interagency housing.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge and abilities required.

Knowledge of:

• Social and economic issues creating poverty, working successfully with practices and techniques related to people with low income to achieve greater self- sufficiency.
• Community resources and agencies providing social services needed by the homeless population.
• Knowledge of, and/or willing to learn, practice, and apply Assertive Engagement and Trauma Informed Care models of providing services.

Ability to:

• Apply required knowledge and identify, in partnership with clients, their needs and effective solutions
• Apply Assertive Engagement model of providing services when working with clients. Show willingness to learn (and/or deepen knowledge of) Assertive Engagement model.
• Plan and coordinate delivery of services
• Empower and support homeless and low income persons in life choices and change.
• Work cooperatively with all volunteers and staff.
• Maintain close partnerships with Alder Elementary school staff and liaisons.
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships within Human Solutions, with public and private agencies, the general public and clients.
• Be culturally sensitive to diverse client populations.
• Prepare and maintain clear, accurate, complete and timely records, files and reports via computer.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and professional boundaries with all households served.
• Understand and follow complex written and oral instructions, rules and procedures; to work independently and to be a vital and contributing part of a team.
• Experience with crisis intervention, community networking and resource development.
• Speak fluently in English

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE and other QUALIFICATIONS

At least 2 years of case management experience in social services, working with low income families and/or individuals. High school diploma or GED required. Bachelors or Associates degree in related field strongly preferred.

Must possess a valid driver’s license, clean driving record and reliable transportation required. Vehicle insurance coverage limits must be $100,000 bodily injury liability for one person, $300,000 bodily injury liability for all people in an accident and $100,000 property damage liability.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

TO APPLY

Please have resume with cover letter and contact information for three professional references ready upon applying