Community Advocate
Job Description

Position Title: Community Advocate
Reports To: Community Connections Program Manager
Pay Range: $13-16/hour, per experience level
Type: Full-time, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Position Summary: The Community Advocate provides support to the Community Connections program by providing trusted and strength-based supportive services and programs to LatinX families in the
Greater Battle Creek area in order to ensure that families have access to the resources they need to promote family and child well-being. As a part of the Community Connections team, the Community
Advocate is the “go to” resource for LatinX families to get information and connect with community resources. The Community Advocate will show a strong connection to the local LatinX community, and will show persistence in the face of obstacles and creative thinking to remove them.

Essential Functions:
● Primary function is serving as the advocate who provides direct services to community members to help them navigate and overcome barriers to accessing community resources and services as needed. The Community Advocate:

• Provides diverse kinds of assistance depending on the unique and variable needs of

Voces’ clientele

■ Assistance may include sight translation of documents, interpretation in social services settings, assistance reading and filling out forms, providing referrals and other assistance as needed

■ Types of services vary greatly. Common service requests include helping with public benefits applications and renewals, new medical patient forms, unemployment application assistance, legal referrals, social services referrals, domestic violence referrals and more. Services are generally transactional to address a client’s immediate need. Some require limited case management

■ Services are provided via appointment, walk-in, phone, and/or as appropriate
■ Provides direct assistance with Community Connections Programming

● Collaborates with other program staff to provide effective wrap-around supports as appropriate with families participating in other Voces’ programs

● Utilize a strength-based approach with families while challenging and supporting them to increase their self-sufficiency, develop resources, and fulfill their potential

● Maintains a variety of manual and electronic documents, files and records and fully documents all notes and details of services provided using Voces’ online content management system.

● Serves as the initial point of contact for the Organization
● Maintains strict confidentiality of family records and information
● Other duties as necessary

Qualifications:
● Associates degree with primary focus on Social Work or related fields.
● Bicultural/bilingual, with fluency in speaking, reading and writing Spanish and English
● Primary residence in Battle Creek or Calhoun County preferred
● One year of experience working with families or related work experience is preferred

(*Experience qualifications may be waived depending on other qualifying factors)
● Personal or professional experience with immigration law and procedure preferred
● Strong knowledge and experience with the LatinX community and culture, with familiarity of the local community preferred
● Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to ask detailed and clarifying questions, and give appropriate non-legal advice
● Strong ability to handle ambiguity and work within an adaptable and changing environment
● Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop trusting relationships with the families we work with as well as to network extensively with local agency partners
● Demonstrates emotional intelligence with ability to balance the need for building compassionate, caring relationships with families as well as setting appropriate boundaries and tending to self-care

● Familiarity with food stamps, medicaid and immigration state and federal guidelines preferred
● Impeccable attention to detail; easygoing, relaxed, and skilled to work under pressure
● Basic computer skills
● Strong sense of ethics and commitment to confidentiality
● Good communicator with listening skills and ability to explain complex information in a simple manner and a heart for people
● Excellent ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
● Ability to have a flexible schedule to accommodate after-hours appointments if needed
● Safe driving record; current vehicle that is insured and available to use for Voces business

Application Process:
● Application deadline: Until filled. Voces seeks to fill this position as soon as possible and applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until filled
● Please include your resume, cover letter and two references

• Cover letter should include a personal statement explaining how your experience and education have prepared you to successfully fulfill the functions of this position

● For more information on Voces, please visit our website www.vocesbc.org

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER
Voces is an Equal Opportunity Employer who strives to provide an inclusive work environment that involves everyone and embraces the diverse talent of its people. The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. Salary range is subject to adjustment. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $13.00 - $16.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Battle Creek, MI 49037: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

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