Community Resource Advocate II, Community Connect

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT Position Title: community resource advocate ii Department: housing stability - coordinated systems Open Date: september 26, 2024 Reports to: homeless access systems coordinator Close Date: until filled Work Location: 1001 sw baseline street, hillsboro, or 97123 Hiring Range:* $19.02-$20.92 FLSA Status: non-exempt Position Status: regular full-time (RFT) Benefit Status: eligible for benefits Work Hours Per Week: 40 Number of Positions: 1 Months Active: all Positions Supervised: 0 Note: For applicants with extensive qualifications and/or years of experience, hiring range may be exceeded with approval. If approval is granted, it will be based upon careful review of the applicant's qualifications, experience, internal equity and budgetary considerations. The final rate approved will typically never be at a rate equal to or above the established midpoint of the pay range for the position. Community Action Organization reserves the right to modify, interpret or apply this job description as needed. The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties (including essential duties), and skills to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not a contract implied or otherwise and the employment relationship remains at-will. The aforementioned requirements may be subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified persons with disabilities. All positions are contingent upon funding and successful passing of all required background checks, required registry checks, and physical screenings if required. All staff in positions which regularly require driving either company or personal vehicles while performing work on behalf of Community Action are required to provide Human Resources proof of a valid driver's license for a motor vehicle record check both at hire and annually thereafter. Human Resources will conduct a motor-vehicle record. These records will be held as confidential records in Human Resources. All accidents will be reported to Human Resources within 48 hours. Benefits: All regular full-time (RFT) status positions of 20 hours per week or more year round or part year of .50 FTE or higher are eligible for our outstanding benefits package including: Individual Medical with premium covered at 90% Free Dental insurance for the employee Employer matched retirement dollar for dollar for the first 3% Generous paid sick and vacation time 13 paid 0bserved holidays Free life and long term disability insurance Medex travel assistance Employee Assistance Program Rich and diverse mission-based working environment Position Summary: In support of the Agency's mission and broader community goal to be collaborative in our efforts to address homelessness with supportive housing or any social services programs, this position is responsible for ensuring equitable access to community resources related to emergency shelter, housing and support services. Utilizing culturally responsive practice and based in Housing First principles, guided by people with lived experience, and informed by the best practices of trauma-informed and people-centered service delivery, this position conducts eligibility screenings and housing assessments with homeless or at-risk households in a team based and highly collaborative environment. This involves answering the Community Connect phone line, conducting comprehensive housing assessments, gathering required documentation, and providing direct referrals to a variety of Washington County based housing programs. Assessments and referrals take place in accordance with the policies and procedures of the countywide centralized assessment system. Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Provide a participant centered approach and excellent customer service that is sensitive to the challenges of homelessness. Conduct face-to-face or telephonic comprehensive housing assessments and/or screenings for households who are literally homeless, or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Participate in street outreach activities and engage with unsheltered homeless individuals to identify obstacles participation in program and means of overcoming those obstacles. Builds trusting professional relationships with unsheltered homeless individuals through frequent visits to foster, support and encourage participation in coordinated entry, particularly in conducting mobile Community Connect Assessments. Explains and encourages utilization of services available to persons needing special assistance, including basic needs, health, mental health, housing or other programs that provide services to the homeless. Determine eligibility and initiate referrals to a variety of Washington County housing programs in accordance with the policies and procedures of the countywide centralized assessment system. Accurately enter information into countywide client database in order to capture required statistical information. Collect and upload required client documentation into countywide client As appropriate, provide general information pertaining to other Community Action programs. Commitment to furthering equity in the workplace, culturally responsive and trauma-informed behavior. Consistently maintain clean and orderly work space to ensure healthy, high quality interactions with clients, preserving confidentiality and maintaining efficiencies in operations. Strictly adhere to all safety policies and procedures at all times and respond/correct any at-risk safety issues immediately. Strictly adhere to agency code of ethics and standards of workplace behavior. Perform other duties as assigned to meet business needs including regular and reliable attendance and adherence to all company workplace behavior standards. Marginal Functions and Responsibilities: Participate in special projects and data collection to enhance program planning and delivery. Keep informed about availability and current status of social service agencies. programs serving Washington County Make client referrals as needed and coordinate with other team members to produce resource information. Other marginal functions and responsibilities as assigned. Required Education/Training/Experience: High School Diploma or equivalent with a minimum of six months customer service An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Lived experience can be used in place of educational requirements. Experience completing data entry. Experience working collaboratively with a wide range of other professionals or social service agencies. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Preferred: Associate's Degree or higher in Social Services or directly related field. Knowledge of Washington County community resources. Experience completing data entry or working with computer databases with a high degree of accuracy. Experience interviewing clients and assessing needs, providing appropriate information and referrals, and advocating on behalf of clients. Bilingual Spanish/English, oral and written. Required Licensing or Other Special Certifications: N/A Required Physical Demands of Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Work is performed in normal office environment. Constant exposure to computer and keyboard with extensive phone use. In normal work day, may stand/walk 2 hrs/day; may sit _5_ hrs/day; may drive _1/2_ hrs/day; may use hands for repetitive grasping, pushing and pulling, typing and fine manipulation _4.5_ hrs/day; may use hands at or above shoulder level for _1_ hrs/day. In normal work day, may bend, squat, and/or climb frequently. Work is light in nature, lifting maximum of 20 lbs with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 20 lbs. May require walking or standing to a significant degree, or sitting most of the time with a degree of pushing and pulling of arms and/or leg controls. How to Apply for this Position: To be considered we must receive a completed Community Action Employment Application form. You are welcome to also include a cover letter and resume at your option. Transcripts may be required for certain positions. Applications can be completed on our website: www.caowash.org or you can print off the application to complete or pick up the application form at either of our following locations: Hillsboro - 1001 SW Baseline St, Hillsboro OR 97123 Beaverton - 5050 SW Griffith Dr, Suite 101, Beaverton OR 97005 Be sure to submit your application in a timely manner. If you choose not to complete an online application, you can send your completed application form, optional resume and cover letter and any other required documents via fax at 503.400.3691. If you prefer to mail your application be sure to mail attention Human Resources at the Hillsboro office address above. All application submissions will be acknowledged with a receipt notification. If you are selected for an interview, we will contact you. All current Community Action employees are encouraged to apply for openings at Community Action which they are interested in. For current employees, some qualifications may be met by an equivalent combination or education and experience at the discretion of the employer. COMMUNITY ACTION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Community Action is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or other protected status in accordance with applicable federal and state equal employment opportunity laws. Applicants with disabilities may request accommodation to complete the application and selection process. Please notify Human Resources at least three (3) working days prior to the date of need.