Community Advocate - Basic Needs Team

JOB SUMMARY

The Community Advocate of the Basic Needs Team (BNT) provides direct support, advocacy, and resource navigation services to individuals and families experiencing barriers related to housing, public benefits, and other basic needs. This role conducts client intake and assessments, assists clients in accessing appropriate community resources, and maintains ongoing communication to support progress toward identified goals. The Community Advocate develops and maintains strong relationships with community agencies, service providers, housing providers, landlords, care managers, and other stakeholders and represents organization in community settings. This role is responsible for accurate and timely documentation, maintaining confidential client information, and supporting program requirements and initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct intake assessments to identify client needs related to housing, public benefits, basic needs, and community resources.
• Provide clients with information, referrals, advocacy, and resource navigation support based on identified needs.
• Maintain ongoing contact with clients to monitor progress, address barriers, and support engagement with services and community resources.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with community agencies, service providers, care managers, landlords, property managers, and other community partners.
• Represent the organization at community meetings, outreach events, collaborative workgroups, and other external activities to promote program visibility and strengthen community partnerships.
• Open files for new referrals and enter, maintain, and update client information in required databases and case-management systems accurately and confidentially.
• Assist team members with preparing documents and other materials for clients.
• Prepare written correspondence, reports, case notes, and other documentation in accordance with program, organizational, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely client records and ensure files comply with applicable privacy, confidentiality, and data security requirements.
• Utilize Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, to prepare reports, track client information, communicate with clients and staff, and maintain organized records.
• Maintain consistent and effective communication with clients, staff, community partners, and other stakeholders regarding client needs, services, activities, and outcomes.
• Communicate information clearly and accurately and ensure appropriate follow-up regarding the status and outcomes of assigned responsibilities.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Associate’s degree in Human Services, Public Health, or a related field required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience providing case management, advocacy, community outreach, housing navigation, or related human services support preferred.
• Experience working with diverse and underserved populations preferred.
• Knowledge of community resources, public benefits systems, housing resources, and supportive service programs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to quickly establish rapport and develop effective relationships with clients and community partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive client information with professionalism and discretion.
• Excellent organizational, time-management, documentation, and follow-up skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, manage competing demands, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, client-centered, culturally responsive, and equitable service delivery.
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Extended periods of sitting at a desk or workstation while performing administrative tasks.
• Regular use of computers and other office equipment, requiring manual dexterity and visual concentration.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Mobility within the office environment to attend meetings, training sessions, or other events.
• Ability to travel to client homes, community agencies, courthouses, meetings, training sessions, conferences, and other work-related locations as needed.
• Ability to communicate effectively with associates, supervisors, clients, community partners, and external stakeholders in person, over the phone, or via email.
• Work may be performed in an office, community, or other field-based environment depending on program and client needs.
• Occasional travel may be required within the service area and to attend training sessions, conferences, community events, and other work-related activities.
• Exposure to typical office and community environments, including phone calls, conversations, office equipment, and varying environmental conditions.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Work schedule
• Paid Lunch Hour
• Employer contributions toward health and dental insurance plans
• Up to:
  • 15 days of vacation to start (based on experience)
  • 96 hours of sick leave
  • 48 hours of personal time
  • 14 paid holidays a year
  • $600 per year internet stipend
  • 3% match on the 401(k) or Roth 401(k) plan of your choice
• Language differential for being proficient in a program-relevant language
• Professional development opportunities
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualifying employer
  

The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, NY, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.