Advocate

BCFS Health and Human Services•San Antonio, TX

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The advocate acts as a liaison with available placement and service resources for survivors and their families and ensures that each partner agency complies with agency policies and procedures and established state and federal standards and requirements. The Advocate provides trauma-informed, relational advocacy and case management services to survivors, ensuring high-quality support in both crisis and long-term situations. Responsibilities include immediate crisis response, safety planning, case documentation, and coordination of ongoing services in alignment with program, state, and federal standards. This role requires flexibility for after-hours and weekend crisis coverage. Employees must have a reliable personal vehicle. Mileage is reimbursed in accordance with organizational policy. Travel is primarily regional; however, occasional overnight travel, including air travel, may be required based on program needs. Participation in an on-call rotation is required. Candidates must be available to respond to emergencies at any time, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. This role is highly mobile and requires exercising sound independent judgment and managing responsibilities with minimal supervision.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, sociology, or a closely related field.
Personal or professional experience serving victims of human trafficking, victims of child abuse and neglect, or youth experiencing homelessness and/or addiction.
2–3 years of case management and/or crisis intervention experience.
Pass a pre-employment drug screen and random drug screens.
Demonstrate mastery of safety, resiliency, and mental health assessments
Possess current auto insurance, driver’s license and proof of work eligibility.
Acquire and maintain licenses and certificates required for the position.
Provide proof of work eligibility status upon request.
Obtain all required programmatic certification and participate in all required program training courses.
Respond sensitively and competently to the service population’s cultural and socio-economic characteristics.
Communicate effectively in writing and verbally in English (Spanish is a plus).
Respond effectively to crisis situations.
Knowledge in DFPS and Law enforcement designations, definitions and Acronyms a plus.
Work in a fast-paced environment and maintain emotional control and professional composure always.
Maintain computer literacy required to meet the responsibilities of the position.
Organize and prioritize responsibilities and duties efficiently.
Always maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Demonstrate working knowledge of all applicable BCFS HHS policies and procedures.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Nice To Haves

Spanish is a plus.

Responsibilities

Comply with all applicable federal and state regulatory guidelines and standards for this position.
Monitor partner victim service agencies to ensure assigned cases meet quality assurance standards, including accurate needs assessments, service plan development and implementation, and ongoing contact with survivors.
Travel frequently throughout the target service region using a personal or agency vehicle in accordance with program protocols.
Consult with the Program Supervisor when making decisions that affect survivor safety and permanency.
Ensure partner victim service agencies actively engage each survivor and family in casework activities.
Participate in community meetings and help build program relationships within the community.
Collaborate with partner victim service agencies to support survivor progress toward risk reduction, treatment goals, and positive case outcomes.
Maintain survivor records, files, forms, statistics, and related information in compliance with agency, federal, and state standards and requirements.
Communicate promptly through the appropriate chain of command, including all safety concerns and required reporting.
Provide intensive case management to survivors when needed, including 24/7 dispatch to meet with newly recovered victims.
Participate in scheduled meetings, in-service trainings, and team decision-making processes.
Work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed or as directed by the position supervisor.
Uphold BCFS HHS professional and ethical standards as outlined in the employee handbook, including demonstrating respect for agency staff, participants, victim service partners, and community members and complying with the required dress code.
Provide comprehensive, trauma-informed services, including safety planning, immediate risk reduction, and short-term therapeutic support.
Independently coordinate referrals, service planning, and documentation for assigned cases.
Respond to crisis calls and provide timely support to children and families in need.
Complete assessments, develop treatment plans, and make independent field decisions related to the safety and well-being of assigned children and families.
Provide in-home family preservation services as assigned.
Serve as a liaison with stakeholders, including legal providers, child protection, law enforcement, federal partners, and others, while ensuring compliance with program and local protocols.
Participate in community meetings and work directly with stakeholders to strengthen survivor services.
Participate in weekly supervision with the assigned supervisor.
Travel within the region approximately 75% of the time, including overnight stays and use of a personal vehicle as needed.
Meet deadlines established by program supervisors and federal partners.
Maintain thorough knowledge of BCFS Health and Human Services policies and procedures.