Community Advocate - CCBYS

Arrowleaf • Vienna, IL

21h • $44,012 - $46,797

About The Position

When you join the Arrowleaf team, you are committing to a meaningful career where your work will make a difference for your neighbors throughout Southern Illinois and strengthen our region as a whole. You’ll have a chance to build well-being not just for the people you work with, but for yourself as well, as you gain life-changing experiences, enjoy highly competitive benefits, and experience unmatched opportunities for advancement.

Mission: Arrowleaf’s mission is to help all Southern Illinoisans reach their full potential. We provide resources and opportunities that support individuals of all ages so they can thrive, make our communities more vibrant, and build economic prosperity that benefits everyone.

Vision: We envision a Southern Illinois where all individuals are contributing to a community that is safe and vibrant for everyone.

Job Title: Community Advocate 

Home Office: Vienna, IL; Anna. IL; or Cairo, IL. Location is dependent on office space availability. 

Area of Focus: Community Collaboration 

Program(s): Comprehensive Community Based Services (CCBYS): helps young people, ages 10 to 17, and their families minimize involvement in the child welfare and/or juvenile justice system through stabilization and support services.

Immediate Supervisor: Senior Director of Community Resources 

Hours of Work: Full-time 40 hrs./week. Participates in after hours and day call crisis rotation.

FLSA Classification: Non-exempt

Community Advocate Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field; qualifies as a Mental Health Professional (MHP); Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) preferred. Must complete GOALS certification within 3 months of hire. 

Community Advocate Special Requirements: Must be 21 years of age or older to drive agency vehicle; maintains a valid driver’s license and vehicle liability insurance; operates agency vehicles and personal vehicles while driving for agency business in a safe and lawful manner at all times; maintain First Aid & CPR certification; must complete required registry clearances and criminal fingerprint background checks; travel to all agency sites when appropriate; schedules evening / or weekend hours as necessary; participates in after hours and day call crisis rotation. 

Community Advocate Skills & Competencies: Must have knowledge of case management processes, area resources/service systems, crisis intervention/conflict resolution, word processing and basic computer skills. Employee must be able to assist the QMHP in addressing individual client needs and document clients’ progress toward the goals and objectives identified on the Case Plan. Excellent written and oral communications, ability to teach basic life skills and problem solving strategies are required. General knowledge of the juvenile justice system and education system preferred.

Community Advocate Benefit Package 

Professional & upward mobility opportunities
A family-oriented atmosphere
Health wellbeing stipend ($200 per fiscal year, after 6 month probation period)
Health, vision and dental insurance option available.
Dental, vision and health available after 1st day of the month after 60 calendar days of employment
Up to $50,000 life insurance policy
Travel reimbursement
Up to 368 hours of paid time off just within your first year of employment! Includes 13 paid holidays, up to 40 hours personal time, 12 sick days, 40 hours bereavement leave, 12 vacation days (6 month probation period), and 8 hours volunteer paid time off per year.
Additional opportunities for compensation are available above starting salary!

Salary Range: $44,012 - $46,797 (pay is dependent on education level and credentials)

This is a bargaining unit, union position

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field
• qualifies as a Mental Health Professional (MHP)
• Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) preferred
• Must complete GOALS certification within 3 months of hire
• Must be 21 years of age or older to drive agency vehicle
• maintains a valid driver’s license and vehicle liability insurance
• operates agency vehicles and personal vehicles while driving for agency business in a safe and lawful manner at all times
• maintain First Aid & CPR certification
• must complete required registry clearances and criminal fingerprint background checks
• travel to all agency sites when appropriate
• schedules evening / or weekend hours as necessary
• participates in after hours and day call crisis rotation
• Must have knowledge of case management processes, area resources/service systems, crisis intervention/conflict resolution, word processing and basic computer skills
• Employee must be able to assist the QMHP in addressing individual client needs and document clients’ progress toward the goals and objectives identified on the Case Plan.
• Excellent written and oral communications, ability to teach basic life skills and problem solving strategies are required.

Nice To Haves

• General knowledge of the juvenile justice system and education system preferred.

Responsibilities

• Intervenes and evaluates clients, establishes diagnosis, as needed. Assists in the development of the individual case plan collaboratively with clients, their guardian(s), and the QMHP by defining goals, specific outcomes and time frames for treatment. Monitor client's behavior.
• Provides crisis intervention to stabilize client's condition by utilizing short term crisis intervention techniques and/or referral to other support services.
• Carries a caseload as assigned by direct supervisor.
• Intervenes to change attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of clients to improve individual and family level of functioning.
• Maintains networking and referral contacts with other human service providers both internally and externally while assessing barriers for successful engagement, treatment, and discharge.
• Completes required monthly direct service hours/billing requirements.
• Provides services in a variety of settings (i.e. office, school, police department, shelter, home, etc.) to best meet the service needs of the client and family.
• Facilitates comprehensive client care by providing case management services and community support services throughout the clients’ service engagement with a focus on engagement, care coordination, advocacy, and discharge planning.
• Facilitates recreation/socialization and cultural activities such as providing enjoyable outings that prepare and encourage clients to engage in activities independent of the agency.
• Effectively teaches life-management and daily living skills to clients that translate to their natural environment with an emphasis on developing natural supports.
• Facilitates transportation services to assist clients in connecting with internal and external resources such a primary care provider.
• Demonstrates active involvement in supervision and clinical staffings.
• Ability to screen, assess and provide interventions for clients that are exhibiting symptoms of trauma.

Benefits

• Professional & upward mobility opportunities
• A family-oriented atmosphere
• Health wellbeing stipend ($200 per fiscal year, after 6 month probation period)
• Health, vision and dental insurance option available.
• Dental, vision and health available after 1st day of the month after 60 calendar days of employment
• Up to $50,000 life insurance policy
• Travel reimbursement
• Up to 368 hours of paid time off just within your first year of employment! Includes 13 paid holidays, up to 40 hours personal time, 12 sick days, 40 hours bereavement leave, 12 vacation days (6 month probation period), and 8 hours volunteer paid time off per year.
• Additional opportunities for compensation are available above starting salary!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees