Bilingual Victim Housing Advocate, Family Crisis Center - Cherokee

Family Crisis Center

Cherokee, Iowa

The Bilingual Transitional Housing Advocate provides support and assistance to families and individuals who are survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse, and stalking who are also experiencing homelessness, and to those households that are at imminent risk of losing their housing. The Bilingual Transitional Housing Advocate is responsible for receiving and assessing referrals from Coordinated Entry and facilitating the transition for households determined eligible for Transitional Housing services to housing.

Salary $39,000 - $43,000 a year

BENEFITS: Full-Time position, Health Insurance, Vacation/Sick Leave, Simple IRA, Non-Exempt

 

Desired Qualifications:
  • Speak and write English and Spanish proficiently—a proficiency test will be conducted after hire.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in a human service-oriented field or related housing field; or equivalent relevant housing or social work experience.
  • Good public speaking, verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to interact and effectively communicate with program participants, landlords, the public, and on occasion the FCC Board or city/county officials, as requested.
  • Proven leadership and organizational skills, including time management abilities (i.e. goal-oriented, self-starter, ability to manage multiple projects, work independently, good stress management, etc.)
  • History of crisis intervention skills and the ability to work with diverse groups of people.
  • Office skills including computer proficiency.
  • Willingness to work irregular hours and flexibility to attend participant/landlord meetings, as needed.
  • A valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation with adequate vehicle insurance.
  • After hire, obtain certification through the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and complete appropriate recertification.

Application Instructions:

Apply on Indeed.com

FCC is an equal opportunity employer. FCC is fair and impartial in all of its relations with its employees and applicants for employment and makes all employment-related decisions without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status, parental responsibility, language, national origin, age, health status (including HIV-positive), physical or mental disability, or any other categories protected by federal, state, or local law.


Duties:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Receive and assess referrals through the Coordinated Entry process.
    • Identify appropriate housing units for survivors at risk of or experiencing homelessness due to their victimization.
    • Establish positive relationships with survivors in assessing their housing needs.
    • Ensure efficient housing placement by helping participants gather and complete required documentation, facilitate communications with landlords, and attend appointments as needed.
    • Communicate regularly with housing staff regarding issues that arise during referral and/or placement process.
    • Attend all FCC-required training and participate in housing meetings as requested.
  • Work with housing participants and landlords/property managers in the Transitional Housing program.
  • Work with staff to identify appropriate housing units for clients in the RRH and HP programs, with the goal of housing clients within 30 days of acceptance into the program.
  • Assist clients in the program including applying for apartments, negotiating with potential landlords, and accompanying participants to apartment viewings as needed.
  • Provide participants with listings of housing options to meet their needs and geographic preferences.
  • Assist participants with seeking long-term housing support such as a public housing authority, as requested.
  • Assist with acquiring necessary documentation and mitigate issues with credit reports, utility arrears, and unfavorable landlord references, as necessary.
  • Explain and review the lease agreement with the incoming participant(s).
  • Conduct follow-up support services with participants and landlords after housing placement in a survivor-led way; assist case management in mediating any landlord/tenant issues that may arise.
  • Connect with landlords via neighborhood outreach, Internet search, and networking events.
  • Build positive relationships with landlords and housing providers to expand FCC’s housing portfolio.
  • Advocate for survivors with rental barriers such as evictions, poor credit, or criminal history.
  • Provide supportive services to assist survivors in overcoming barriers to financial autonomy such as referrals to financial literacy classes, job training courses, employment counseling, and other community supports. When needed, provide transportation or assist survivors in obtaining transportation.
  • Provide referrals to FCC’s Domestic Abuse Comprehensive program for additional supportive services.
  • Conduct apartment inspections and work with landlords to correct any deficiencies.
  • Participate in an on-call rotation. An on-call rotation consists of sharing crisis response duties for 7 days at a time as well as rotating Holiday coverage with co-workers.
  • Operational Responsibilities
    • Maintain accurate participant/tenant files.
    • Maintain accurate client files including completed intakes, signed confidentiality forms, and appropriate releases of information.
    • Document and retain copies of all communications with landlords and tenants.
    • Work closely with FCC housing staff to ensure housing placement is consistent with the overall service plan.
    • Inform FCC housing staff of any changes in housing status or other housing issues.
    • Update and maintain accurate monthly records of housing participants.
    • Complete accurate service data in the EmpowerDB database in a timely manner.
    • Attend weekly staff and case review meetings.
    • Participate in staff trainings, workshops, and outreach events as needed.
    • Work in a team approach to deliver existing programs and to develop new housing programs.
    • Participate in Family Crisis Centers sponsored events.
    • Perform other duties as needed.

Location: Cherokee, Iowa

Open: Tuesday March 14th

Close: Wednesday May 10th 2023

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