Client Advocate

Help & Hope Center is a non-profit whose mission is to meet the immediate needs of residents of Douglas and Elbert Counties who are in financial distress and at risk of becoming homeless, to help them through troublesome times with dignity.

Job Title: Client Advocate
    (Part-time, approx. 16 - 25 hours per week)

Pay: $23 an hour - Part-time

Reports To: Client Services Manager

Position Summary: The Client Advocate works directly with clients to deliver agency services. Primary services provided to residents in need include food, household necessities, and emergency financial assistance (rent, utility and overnight lodging).

Responsibilities:

• Meet one-on-one with clients experiencing financial crisis
• Assess clients’ needs in an empathetic, non-judgmental way in order to determine appropriate agency assistance
• Prepare clients for the food selection process or submit clients’ food order
• Provide clients with information and referrals as appropriate
• Work closely with volunteers to ensure an orderly flow of clients through Client Services
• Advocate for clients with utility companies, landlords etc.
• Collaborate with other human services organizations to meet client needs
• Pay client bills in accordance with agency policies, agency budget and grant requirements
• Accurately document client interaction and assistance in the Empowor database and other required locations
• Comply with agency policies, funding and partner requirements
• Assist Client Services Manager in obtaining information for grant preparation and reporting
• Attend agency staff meetings and training sessions
• Represent agency at occasional functions outside of normal client service hours
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree (human services field preferred)
• Knowledge of social risk factors
• Ability to take an objective overview of the situation in order to recommend the best course of action
• Capacity to provide compassionate strategic support to help clients overcome challenges while also setting appropriate boundaries
• Ability to embrace the unexpected as a challenge rather than a problem
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, active listening, and written communication skills
• Strong conflict resolution skills
• Capacity to be a detail-oriented team player
• Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment
• Computer proficiency (Microsoft Office applications at a minimum)
• Flexibility with schedule (work one evening per month)

• Ability to communicate in Spanish
• Prior human service or non-profit experience

• 23/hr
• Paid time off
• Retirement match (3%)
• Appealing schedule (alternating 2 days one week, 3 days the next)

• Must submit a cover letter & resume