Veteran Support Advocate, Birmingham Veterans Village, Homeless Veteran Program

TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION•Birmingham, MI

12h•$55,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

Tunnel to Towers Foundation is seeking an experienced Veteran Support Advocate for its Birmingham Veterans Village Homeless Veteran Program. The Advocate works collaboratively with program staff to serve Veterans seeking long-term supportive housing. Using a trauma-informed, person-centered, strength-based, culturally responsive, and recovery-oriented approach, the Advocate helps Veterans develop the skills, connections, and resources needed to maintain housing stability, increase community integration, and improve quality of life. The role provides peer support, individual services, participant-led groups, and wellness programming, while also managing front desk operations, monitoring CCTV surveillance, and conducting regular walkthroughs to help ensure the safety and security of the premises. The position is required to work on site. Advocates provide shift coverage as needed to support 24/7 facility operations, with shifts potentially scheduled any day of the week and during morning, evening, or overnight hours. Special events may require changes to workdays, shift hours, or work locations, including outdoor settings. Holiday coverage is compensated.

Requirements

Associate degree or 60 college credits required.
At least two years of experience in the social services or human services field.
Strong organizational and design skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
Detail-oriented.
Ability to multitask across multiple projects.
Ability to collaborate and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, including behavioral health professionals, case managers, and community organizations.
Successful completion of a two-week training program covering topics that include Reducing Stigma, Mental Health First Aid, and CPR/NARCAN Training.
Valid driver's license.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, or equivalent.
Pre-employment screening, including a background check, is required.
Application materials must include a résumé and cover letter.

Nice To Haves

Veterans are encouraged to apply and contribute their valuable experience.

Responsibilities

Provide peer support and mentorship to Veterans, drawing on shared lived experience to promote hope, resilience, self-advocacy, independence, recovery, and community reintegration while maintaining professional boundaries.
Build trusting relationships and support individualized goals and wellness using trauma-informed, person-centered, culturally responsive, strengths-based, and recovery-oriented practices.
Help Veterans access and navigate community and internal resources through advocacy, referrals, and support services that promote housing stability, quality of life, and self-sufficiency.
Facilitate individual and group activities, community events, resident meetings, and wellness programming that encourage engagement, social connection, and personal growth.
Observe and respond to participant needs and challenges, including those related to mental health, substance use, trauma, homelessness, and community adjustment; document concerns and communicate them promptly to the supportive housing team.
Respond appropriately to mental health, substance use, behavioral health, and safety crises in accordance with emergency, incident-reporting, mandated-reporting, and crisis-intervention protocols.
Collaborate with Case Managers, Licensed Clinicians, Employment and Entitlement Coordinators, emergency services personnel, and other multidisciplinary partners to coordinate care and support participant outcomes.
Maintain a visible, supportive presence in the facility by conducting walkthroughs, monitoring common areas, tracking participant and guest activity, enforcing visitor policies, covering the front desk, and promoting a safe and respectful environment.
Use case management systems such as AWARDS/Foothold or similar platforms to document participant interactions, services, progress, incidents, and program activities accurately, objectively, and promptly.
Monitor and resolve program, office, and participant-related issues independently and collaboratively while complying with Foundation policies, program requirements, and regulatory standards.
Attend staff meetings, case conferences, and training to support professional development, certification requirements, and program knowledge.
Provide shift coverage as needed for 24/7 facility operations, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergencies.
Manage front desk operations, monitor CCTV surveillance systems, and conduct regular walking rounds to support premises safety and security.