Veteran Advocate

The Wellspring•Monroe, LA

13h

About The Position

The Veteran Advocate supports Veterans experiencing homelessness who live in Wellspring’s VA Grant and Per Diem (GPD) transitional housing program. The role provides low-barrier, same-day access to a safe place to stay and accompanies each Veteran using a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach that respects Veterans as the authors of their own lives as they work toward permanent housing, increased income, and long-term stability. The position conducts street and community outreach, completes intakes, supports Veterans’ physical and emotional needs, helps them obtain permanent housing and income, and promotes a safe and respectful shared living environment. It also involves residential supervision, facility upkeep, crisis intervention, medication safety procedures, accurate documentation, compliance with GPD and agency requirements, and collaboration with VA staff and community partners. Work includes non-traditional hours, such as evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays, as scheduled, and alternate schedules for special projects or agency deadlines.

Requirements

At least a high school education or equivalent.
Two years of experience working with people; experience in human services, housing, or outreach is preferred.
Sensitivity to the needs of others and ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to work with Veterans in a trauma-informed, respectful, and non-judgmental manner and support their choices and goals.
Ability to communicate and interact with staff, Veterans, VA staff, community partners, and volunteers from varied backgrounds.
Ability to advocate for Veterans, maintain composure in crisis situations, and act quickly when a Veteran is ready for housing or services.
Ability to promote cooperation and respect in a shared living environment and work as part of a team supporting Veterans.
Flexibility in the work environment, including a non-traditional schedule; willingness to accept change.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including accurate and timely documentation.
Ability to maintain personal appearance consistent with agency standards and take responsibility for personal learning.
Valid Louisiana driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of auto insurance.

Nice To Haves

Currently enrolled in or pursuing a degree in social work, psychology, counseling, sociology, human services, or a related field.
Experience with Veterans, homelessness, mental health, or substance use.
Military service or lived experience.
Knowledge of community resources and benefits programs in Northeast Louisiana.

Responsibilities

Conduct regular outreach to Veterans experiencing homelessness in streets, camps, parks, vehicles, abandoned buildings, and emergency shelters, including during evening and weekend hours.
Connect Veterans who may not consider themselves eligible, including those with other-than-honorable discharges, to the VA for an eligibility determination.
Increase outreach when program beds are available and participate in coordinated entry, the Veteran by-name list, and case conferencing for the LA-505 Northeast Louisiana Continuum of Care.
Provide same-day program access by completing intakes, minimizing avoidable entry delays, explaining program guidelines, completing intake paperwork, distributing basic-needs items, and helping Veterans settle in.
Build rapport with Veterans and work with each one to develop and regularly review an Individual Service Plan covering housing, income, health, and support networks.
Connect Veterans to VA, Medicare, Medicaid, and community medical, mental health, and substance use services.
Support access to at least three nutritious meals per day, seven days a week, and arrange or provide transportation to appointments, employment, and services.
Help Veterans search for, apply for, and secure permanent housing; engage landlords; and teach tenant rights and responsibilities, rent budgeting, and conflict resolution.
Support job searches, job training, employment, applications for benefits and income supports, and connections to workforce and Department of Labor resources.
Connect Veterans to aftercare, such as GPD Case Management or SSVF, before discharge to help prevent a return to homelessness.
Make and document daily contact with each Veteran, meet residential supervision requirements, conduct resident meetings, support Veteran participation in facility operations, secure the facility at the designated time, and conduct overnight checks.
Uphold the clean and sober environment policy supportively, including keeping Veterans engaged in services after a relapse.
Complete daily task lists; receive, sort, and distribute donations and food deliveries; follow cleaning schedules; support shared chores; and report maintenance or safety concerns.
Respond calmly and respectfully to crises; coordinate urgent care with the VA medical facility and community partners; recognize suicide risk and follow agency procedures, including connection to the Veterans Crisis Line; and immediately report critical incidents to the supervisor.
Follow medication control procedures and complete required documentation.
Uphold program guidelines, VA GPD requirements and grant terms; enter accurate, timely information into HMIS and agency files; support program performance goals; and follow agency procedures.
Attend educational workshops, seminars, staff meetings, and trainings to support professional development.
Communicate effectively and cooperate with colleagues, help other staff, and demonstrate flexibility in work situations.
Maintain the safety of Veterans and staff by complying with agency procedures, rules, and regulations.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Work scheduled non-traditional hours, including evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays, and alternate schedules during special projects or to meet agency deadlines.