Supportive Housing Advocate (Oswego)

OCO • Oswego, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The HOPE Housing Program Advocate plays a critical role in supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness by providing intensive, on-site case management and service coordination in a supportive housing setting. This position emphasizes a Housing First approach, trauma-informed care, tenant advocacy, and collaboration with community partners to promote long-term housing stability and personal growth.

Requirements

• Must have the ability to relate to and work with individuals and families with multiple life difficulties and have a thorough understanding of the family development process and the OCO Service Delivery system.
• Must be able to work independently and be self-motivated, resourceful, organized; and know when to elevate sensitive situations to supervisor for assistance.
• Must be familiar with the geographical layout of the county and have knowledge of human service resources in the county.
• Must have good oral and written communication skills and have excellent documentation and reporting skills.
• Must possess skills for complex data entry and have the ability to read and interpret complex information and manipulate data.
• Must have demonstrated ability to work with others in a warm, non-judgmental manner and be a positive role model.
• Must be able to direct the work of others, set priorities, and problem solve.
• Must exhibit professionalism, good judgment and maintain strict confidentiality with regard to client information.
• Must exhibit a detailed knowledge of regulations, services, rights and responsibilities for the population served.
• Must have the ability to work with populations with special needs, including those that may exhibit aggressive behaviors.
• Must be flexible with work schedule in order to meet the needs of the program; must participate in 24 hour on-call emergency services on a rotating basis.
• Must have acceptable physical to carry out duties and responsibilities of the position: able to climb stairs, lift 25lbs, able and willing to assist with moving tenants in and out.
• Must have acceptable health to carry out the responsibilities of the position.
• Must have a valid NYS Driver’s license with driving record within policy and access to a properly insured, reliable vehicle for regular travel and transporting consumers.
• Must have a Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services area with 1 to 3 years’ experience with special populations/families; or Associate’s Degree in Human Services related field and at least 3 years’ experience with special populations/families; or Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision to assigned staff.
• Provides crisis intervention, supportive counseling, advocacy and solution focused decision making for those we serve.
• Works in collaboration with other service providers to engage consumers and assist them in connecting to needed services.
• Informs consumers of available services in the community and assists with the referral of primary and secondary consumers to services and monitors the provision of services.
• Develops and maintains assessments, individualized service plans and service coordination activities.
• Provides the teaching and coaching of life skills; facilitates education and support groups as assigned.
• Provides or arranges transportation to enable consumers to connect with needed community resources.
• Collaborates with community partners in the development and implementation of joint protocols; to ensure compliance with regulations and eligibility requirements.
• Assists in training program staff and community partners in specialized topic areas as assigned.
• Attends internal and external meetings/trainings as assigned; assists in meeting facilitation as required including tenants association.
• Provides on-call crisis intervention on a rotating basis as scheduled.
• Communicates pertinent information to co-workers, supervisors and community partners.
• Completes all documentation as required including electronic records/data systems, paperwork, and outcome measurements.
• Acts in a leadership role, represents the agency to community partners and oversees program specific functions, as assigned.
• Carries out project responsibilities and special projects as described in the attached addendum.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree