Family Advocate

Center for Justice Innovation•New York, NY

2d•$52,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Staten Island Justice Center is seeking a Family Advocate for its Family Enrichment Center (FEC). Reporting to the FEC Senior Program Manager and working closely with the Youth Engagement Specialist and Community Liaison, the Family Advocate supports the FEC’s daily operations and engages families at the Center and throughout the community. The role includes facilitating Parent Cafes, building authentic strength-based relationships, co-designing and facilitating programs with families, and providing advocacy, resource navigation, individualized support, and warm referrals. The Family Advocate also maintains accessible, culturally and linguistically responsive communication with families and supports feedback and documentation processes that inform continuous improvement. Family Enrichment Centers build on family and community strengths and are guided by community interests, goals, and aspirations. They are voluntary, welcoming spaces that respect privacy and each person’s choice about how and when to participate. They do not use an intrusive or traditional case-management approach. The Family Advocate helps foster a warm, inclusive gathering place where families can build connections, access resources, and strengthen well-being and community resilience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and three years of professional experience, or a high school diploma and five years of professional experience in community-driven programs with children, youth, and families.
Excellent writing skills.
Strong communication skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary setting and maintain relationships with multiple agencies and organizations onsite and in the community.
Experience providing community-based engagement and outreach services.
Demonstrated experience coordinating programs, facilitating initiatives, and designing activities that successfully engage community members.
Ability to work in a non-hierarchical, multidisciplinary setting and build strong relationships using a warm, engaging, and enthusiastic communication style.
Good judgment, problem-solving ability, and strong communication, planning, organizational, and multitasking skills.
Ability to balance collaboration with independent work.
Comfort with technology and video platforms, including Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Zoom.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English-Spanish skills.
Knowledge of community resources on the North Shore of Staten Island.
Access to a personal vehicle and a driver’s license.

Responsibilities

Recruit, welcome, orient, and meaningfully engage families in the FEC community.
Develop and maintain authentic, strength-based relationships with families and the Community Advisory Board to support FEC operations, activities, and events.
Ensure consistent delivery of programs and activities in fidelity to the FEC co-design model.
Organize and promote opportunities for families to participate in planning and implementing FEC offerings and to build belonging, pride, and mutual responsibility.
Provide advocacy, resource navigation, and warm referrals connecting families with services and supports.
Collaborate with FEC staff to identify and address families’ needs and concerns and develop responsive programming.
Collaborate with local public schools, social service providers, and community-based organizations to create resource connections for families.
Design and implement family engagement strategies to inform families about FEC offerings, events, and opportunities.
Create monthly marketing materials, including calendars, flyers, email blasts, social media content, and other outreach communications.
Maintain ongoing communication with families through accessible methods, including phone, text, email, and in-person conversations.
Create and maintain a family engagement tracking system and contacts log to strengthen connections and track impact.
Support documentation, data collection, and feedback processes so family experiences and perspectives inform continuous improvement.
Maintain member and office supplies and resources, and update FEC décor based on community feedback.
Maintain familiarity with SIJC programs and services and share resources and referrals as needed.
Support FEC daily operations and administration, including reception coverage, program logistics, inventory, daily member engagement, and development and updating of office protocols and procedures with the FEC Director.
Assist with cleanliness and upkeep of the FEC space.
Network with FEC staff at other locations to create peer-learning and support opportunities.
Participate in SIJC all-staff meetings, committees, and staff development activities.
Attend SIJC/FEC events and community meetings as needed.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.