Social Services Advocate 2026-03138

City of Fayetteville, Arkansas•Fayetteville, AR

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Fayetteville is seeking a Social Services Advocate to provide access to acute emergency mental health and substance use treatment services. This role is crucial in reducing calls to law enforcement, offering alternative crisis solutions, and connecting individuals with community resources. The advocate will assist individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use issues, or mental illness, and will accompany officers on calls for service to promote a helpful environment. Key responsibilities include building client trust, ensuring resource utilization, reducing barriers to access, maintaining client documentation, and referring individuals to appropriate services. The position also involves providing crisis intervention, short-term counseling, and assisting families with employment and financial aid. The advocate will compile reports for the Police Chief and assist with other reporting duties.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university is required.
Valid driver’s license.
Must successfully pass background check and drug screen.
Knowledge of federal and state laws and acts applicable to social services.
Effectively communicate with others orally and in writing.
Ability to manage and prioritize tasks and projects.
Ability to anticipate and analyze problems, develop alternatives, and make recommendations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to common inquiries or complaints from clients, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
Ability to solve problems, make decisions, resolve conflicts and listen effectively.
Ability to calmly deal with crisis situations.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to be compassionate and firm and always maintain appropriate confidentiality.
Must be proficient in the use of a computer and software programs such as word processing and spreadsheet applications.
Must be able to effectively operate standard office equipment.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Ability to work in a team setting and work independently with limited direction.
Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate clients’ work schedules and to assist in the police department’s response to individuals in crisis.

Nice To Haves

Prefer experience working with culturally diverse clients in the criminal justice system, human services, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Provide good customer service to both internal and external customers.
Maintain positive and effective working relationships with other City employees.
Provide access to acute emergency mental health and substance use treatment services.
Accompany officers responding to calls for service, promoting an ethical, structured, healthy, and helpful environment.
Build relationships with clients to establish trust, follow-up to ensure resources are utilized and offer assistance to reduce barriers and facilitate access to resources.
Maintain documentation of client contacts.
Maintain linkages with community services and resources and refer individuals to appropriate services.
Provide crisis intervention services, including crisis case management and short-term counseling as a follow-up from the initial evaluation.
Help families connect with employment services and obtain financial assistance from government or private sources as appropriate.
Compile detailed narrative and statistical reports for Police Chief’s review regarding program operations.
Assist in the preparation of reports and documents for City Council, civic organizations, and committees.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of Police or his/her designee.