Community Bridges · 13 hours ago
ADVOCATE II
Santa Cruz, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
2+ years expCommunity Bridges envisions a thriving community where every person has the opportunity to unleash their full potential. The Advocate II provides direct human services and referrals to community members in need, collaborating with program staff to deliver education and support, while collecting data and ensuring access to essential resources.
CommunitiesHealth CareNon Profit
Responsibilities
In rotation with other staff, greets clients over the phone and in person, assesses their needs, and provides them with information and/or referral to any relevant services; maintains a database of current community resources and services
Helps clients obtain, complete, and submit applications and forms for a variety of services, including housing, health insurance, education, employment, and others
Provides immediate, short-term assistance to clients in crisis
Works with clients to assess their strengths and needs, helps them to develop goals, and then supports and follows-up on their progress
Educates clients in a variety of life skills, including nutrition, parenting, and interpersonal communication; coordinates and leads support groups and classes
In collaboration with other staff, sets up and assists with the Center’s food distribution
May transport clients as needed
Serves as a State Mandated Reporter for vulnerable populations
Assists in the preparation of reports
Collects, organizes, and records data about clients and services; enters data into a centralized system, and complies with the reporting requirements of all funders
Plans, coordinates, and implements community events hosted by the Center
Performs outreach to raise program visibility in the community—represents the program at events, distributes informational material, and maintains contact with other relevant organizations and government bodies
Completes all training requirements, including maintaining any accreditation, as required by Community Bridges and its funders; engages in ongoing training and development to ensure effective programming
Attends all required staff meetings
Communicates and works effectively and respectfully with people from different racial, ethnic and cultural groups and from different backgrounds and lifestyles; demonstrates a knowledge of and sensitivity to their needs. Will work with specialized populations that may include the homeless, foster families, youth on probation, and others
Develops and maintains positive community relationships with clients, coworkers, supervisors, partners, stakeholders, and the public
Assists in the training of new staff, interns, and volunteers through job shadowing
In accordance with the Community Bridges Customer Service Plan, provides excellent customer service to clients, colleagues, and the public
Performs other duties as assigned
May be required to work at other Family Resource Collective sites as needed
Qualification
Required
Knowledge of interactive education and training techniques
Knowledge of standard office practices and procedures, including filing, record keeping and gathering of detailed information
Knowledge of social service programs and other community resources, as well as their eligibility and enrollment requirements
Knowledge of the particular challenges facing at-risk populations and best practices for helping them overcome those challenges
Knowledge of effective outreach and marketing principles and practices
Ability to manage competing priorities
Ability to maintain organized, accurate information and records
Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations
Ability to work independently and with a team
Ability to use a computer, including word processing, email, and data management programs, as well as other ancillary office equipment
Ability to recognize confidential information and maintain it appropriately
Ability to identify strengths and underlying needs in individuals, families, and communities
An AA/AS degree or higher in Psychology, Sociology, Community Studies or a related field required
Must be able to work at a computer for full workdays; some routine lifting and reaching required
Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs
Must have a valid CA Driver's License, have access to drive a motor vehicle incidental to the performance of the work, and be insured
Must pass a criminal background check and maintain a clean record
Advocates who transport clients must pass a pre-employment drug screen and comply with periodic testing for drug use and alcohol misuse
Bilingual English/Spanish required
Preferred
BA/BS in Psychology, Sociology, Community Studies or a related field
At least 2 years of experience in the human service or a related field
Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred
Triple P Certification
Benefits
$.40/$.10 per hour bilingual/biliterate differential after passing a test administered by the HR Department.
Company
Community Bridges
Community Bridges is a non-profit healthcare institution that provides human services to children, families, and elderly.
Founded in 1977Watsonville, California, USA
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Tonje Wold-Switzer
Assistant to the CEO
Company data provided by crunchbase