Job description

Position Description

Job Title: Transitional -Age Youth Housing Advocate

Job Location: Woonsocket Housing Office

Reports to: Manager of Special Projects

Position: Full-time (37.5 hours per week); $21 to $23 an hour, depending on experience, with benefits that include health/dental insurance, paid holidays, accrued vacation/sick/personal time, an Employee Assistance Plan, and a 401(k) plan.

ABOUT US: Sojourner House is a comprehensive domestic violence and sexual assault agency that provides residential, educational, and community-based interventions to families and individuals impacted by abuse. We have offices in Providence and Woonsocket, and programs that operate statewide. Our goal is to help our clients rebuild their lives, through a variety of services. All of our programs work from the premise that violence is an unacceptable means to solving interpersonal conflict, and we encourage only non-violent methods of working out conflicts.

BASIC FUNCTION: Working with the Housing Team and the larger residential program, the Advocate will provide direct services and programming to Transitional Aged Youth, asges 18 - 24, (TAY) in Crisis Housing and Rapid R-Housing clients. The Advocate will work alongside other staff of the Residential Housing Program to provide clients with support and empowerment as they seek to rebuild their lives.

PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES:

• Provide individual case management services to clients in Sojourner House’s Youth Crisis Housing and Youth Rapid-Rehousing programs. This includes weekly 1:1 meetings, regular phone check-ins, and periodic visits to their apartment. Develop action plans with clients that outline goals related to education, employment, childcare and maintaining housing. Assist clients in obtaining appropriate substance abuse, mental health, and/or medical services as needed.
• Develop and implement programming to benefit clients in the housing programs, which can include units statewide. At a minimum, the advocate will facilitate 1-2 support groups, meetings and/or programs per week that will benefit Youth housing clients and other community members. The advocate will regularly assess the needs of Sojourner House’s housing clients and offer programs reflective of those needs.
• Working with the Family and Child Clinician, and School Based Advocates, coordinate children’s services and make referrals as necessary for families with minor children, which may include but are not limited to: enrollment in the local school system, art expressive therapy groups, tutoring sessions, play groups, field trips, after school, recreational and enrichment activities, child care and mental health programs.
• Answer phone calls, conduct intakes of new clients, and provide referrals and information to potential housing clients.
• Provide shelter coverage when needed at Sojourner House’s emergency shelter(s).
• Monitor and implement crisis and rapid re-housing policies and ensure that residents follow these rules and procedures by creating an environment of trust and community.
• Complete data entry and submit necessary reports as required for grant compliance.
• Address the maintenance needs of housing units as needed. This may include communication with landlords and property management companies to provide repairs.
• Provide support to clients in Sojourner House’s Youth Housing Program, including a regular weekend day once a month and one late night a week.
• Stay abreast of RI community housing issues by building and maintaining relationships with housing and social service agencies in Providence, northern Rhode Island, and throughout the state.
• Prepare and deliver community presentations in Rhode Island on issues related to domestic violence, youth, and housing when requested.
• Support Sojourner House’s philosophy of client empowerment and respect for individual choices.
• Work as necessary with the Volunteer Coordinator to help supervise volunteers.
• Perform other duties as requested by the Sojourner House management team.

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree in social work, psychology or related field preferred

EXPERIENCE AND SPECIAL SKILLS:

• A minimum of two to three years’ experience in human or social services
• Familiarity with domestic violence and/or gender issues
• Familiarity and/or experience with youth homelessness or housing insecurity
• Must be organized and demonstrate superior leadership skills
• Proficiency in Spanish is preferred
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, and general Internet skills)
• Familiarity working with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds
• Experience developing and delivering community presentations
• A demonstrated familiarity with youth, LGBTQ+, HIV/AIDS, mental health, and/or substance abuse populations
• Access to a vehicle in order to facilitate traveling between the agency’s multiple locations
• Comfort working individually and in teams
• Innovative thinking to approaching issues of poverty and service delivery
• Familiarity with social service services in Rhode Island
• Applicant must pass a BCI check
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including one weekend day and occasional evening shifts.

Schedule: The schedule for this role is either Sunday – Thursday, 9am – 5pm or Tuesday – Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm

COVID Policy Notice: Sojourner House has mandated that its employees obtain a COVID-19 vaccine. Eligible employees may request an exemption from this policy for medical or religious accommodation reasons by working with our Human Resources Department.

TO APPLY: Please send a resume, cover letter, and list of 3 professional references to resumes @ sojournerri.org with the subject line “TAY Housing Advocate” or by mail to Sojourner House, Attn: HR Department, 386 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02908. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, so early submissions are encouraged. No phone calls, please.

Sojourner House is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. To learn more about Sojourner House, please visit www.sojournerri.org.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.00 - $23.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Weekend availability

Experience:

• human or social services: 2 years (Preferred)
• Case management: 2 years (Preferred)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location: One location

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