Bilingual Housing Advocate                                     

• Full Time/Non-Exempt: 36-hours a week
• Schedule: Primarily Monday through Friday with a rotating Saturday once a month.
• $40,000 annually

Description
The Bridge is seeking a Bilingual Housing Advocate who will assist program participants and families navigate from homelessness to permanent housing and or transitional housing by providing trauma informed case management, coaching and supportive services.  The Housing Advocate is responsible for assisting program participants in a housing program in obtaining goals, objectives and ensuring program meets grant outcomes.
Provide case management, coaching and supportive services to program participants in a housing program by providing the following but not limited to;  danger assessments and safety planning, needs assessments, mobile advocacy, assisting with transportation, financial literacy, conducting one-on-one meetings as determined by the program participant and Advocate, create realistic goals, monitoring progress,  follow ups, providing culturally appropriate information, linking to appropriate information and referrals in house and or in the community. 
Provide legal advocacy by accompanying program participants to court, assist with filing of protective orders, educate program participant on judicial system and laws pertaining to domestic/sexual violence; assist with completion of Crime Victims’ Compensation, Address Confidentiality, VINE, referrals to other social services and other legal-related matters to ensure program participant safety.  Actively engage with local law enforcement to assist with legal advocacy and keep abreast of local news to identify prospective program participants who may benefit from legal advocacy as a result of domestic/sexual violence.
Facilitate education and or support groups with program participants. Prepare and submit documentation of all services provided to program participants in compliance with grant objectives. Submit all departmental documentation in a timely manner.
In collaboration with the program participant create realistic goals and objectives and yearly service plans (if applicable) that includes but not limited to, follow up, monitoring, evaluating, revising and documenting. Utilize in-house supportive services, i.e., support and education groups, counseling and therapy. Provide immediate supervisor with weekly updates on program participant’s progress and or concerns.
Attend departmental meetings including staffing. Attend all mandatory staff trainings, agency meetings as scheduled. Work in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team to ensure program participants meet goals and objectives.
Provide crisis intervention services by answering 24 hour hotline and 24 hour on call on a rotating basis to provide on-site advocacy at local hospitals and with local law enforcement at the scene. Collaborate and actively participate in community organizations to develop capacity building opportunity for the agency.
Required Skills & Qualifications

• A High School Diploma/GED required.
• Must have a working knowledge of MS Office suite of programs, specifically MS Word and Excel.
• Excellent communication skills; both verbal and written.

• Must have own reliable transportation

• Bilingual; English/Spanish

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree in social sciences or related subject.

Other Requirements

• Must pass criminal background investigation check
• Must pass drug screen
• Must provide and maintain current TX Driver’s License
• Must provide and maintain clean driving record and annually update driving record
• Must provide and maintain current auto liability insurance
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S
• Must be able to lift/carry (40) lbs, and ascend/descend stairs in emergency shelter setting.