Social Services Advocate

St. Vincent de Paul District Council of Cincinnati•Cincinnati, OH

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Social Services Advocate St. Vincent de Paul – Cincinnati (SVDP) has served residents of greater Cincinnati for over 150 years with basic needs such as food, medicine, and homelessness prevention through its outreach center in the West End and through fifty-six parish-based volunteer Conferences (chapters). SVDP provides holistic direct assistance and systemic change services while treating neighbors in need with dignity, and compassion. At St. Vincent de Paul, diversity is a fact and inclusion an act. Every person is valued and made to feel that they belong. Scope of Position: The Social Services Advocate (SSA) is the primary contact person for those requesting services at the Neyer Outreach Center. The SSA will be cross-trained on all of our direct service programs, including Welcome Rooms, Call Center, Front Desk, and Choice Food Pantry. Engagement, assessment, eligibility determination, gathering documentation, and service delivery are key functions. The right candidate will have a heart for service, compassion for those we serve, and a willingness to serve in the area of most need. The team member must be able to build relationships with neighbors in need, using a strengths-based approach to help them recognize and utilize their personal strengths and resources. This team member must consistently model the mission and values of St. Vincent de Paul and adhere to SVDP’s policies and procedures to ensure program sustainability. Each SSA will have a primary area of focus, but will also support the team with other duties as needed. Hours: Typical hours are Tuesday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Requirements

High school diploma required; college degree is preferred.
Degree or prior experience in social work, human services, or related fields preferred.
Candidate must possess excellent customer services skills and be able to communicate clearly and compassionately with diverse audiences.
The ideal candidate will work on own initiative and deliver on time, be well-organized with attention to detail, and display flexibility and a willingness to serve in the area of most need.
Basic computer literacy and the ability to learn SVDP software are required.
The ability to work under pressure and a comfort in engaging with people of different cultural and economic backgrounds in a faith-based setting are necessary.
Must have the ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time; ability to lift and carry up to 35lbs; ability to speak, hear, and engage in effective communication, both in person and over the telephone.

Responsibilities

Engage neighbors in a Welcome Room to holistically assess their overall situation to determine eligibility for assistance and provide appropriate SVDP assistance and referrals, as necessary
Assess and respond, as necessary, to needs of neighbors presenting critical situations at any time during business hours
Serve as a pantry guide, walking with neighbors through the Choice Pantry and assisting them to their mode of transportation
Serve at the front desk, welcoming and providing compassionate guidance to all guests who enter the NOC, including information about services offered
Assist Call Center with harvesting and returning calls to neighbors
Help maintain neighbor records, including entering data into our case management system, checking eligibility, completing neighbor requests, and providing administrative support to seasonal programs
Participate as a member of the SVDP Outreach Center Services team as well as positively interacting with volunteers and other SVDP staff
Maintain awareness of primary community resources available to address needs presented by neighbors as well as the process for accessing them
Other duties as assigned
Processing rent and utility cases
Answering neighbor questions, managing the flow of neighbors in the lobby, and keeping public areas in order
Greeting visitors at the front desk and checking neighbor eligibility