Client Advocate

INTRODUCTION:

The employee works under the supervision of the Assistant Director of Community Services. The employee will be expected to carry out goals and objectives of the program. The employee is responsible for providing social services to help preserve, improve or create more desirable living conditions for the clients unable to perform certain essential activities for themselves. The employee will work mainly indoors in an office environment but may be required to use own personal automobile to carry out a portion of his/her job duties (home delivery meals, commodities, and monitoring program activities). The employee may be exposed to foul odors, dust, dirt and tobacco smoke. The employee will be capable of operating a modern office equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Flexible working hours (Normal work hours are 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., but this position may require some evening and weekend work hours). Normal sitting and movement in an office environment, quarterly warehouse environment (food distributions), and occasional home visits. May require occasional moving and lifting up to /-30 pounds, bending, stooping, or climbing. The work will be performed mainly indoors in an office environment, but there may be exposure to tobacco smoke, dirt, dust, and foul odors.

Requires travel to counties within the thirteen county service area for meetings and other job-related activities. Will require some travel for training outside the thirteen county area and occasional overnight travel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

Coordinates all activities of the county office

Responsible for the implementation of Agency administration program policy

Promotes coordination and cooperation of Agency programs with other social service programs local and state level

Coordinates community resources to assist in meeting the needs of clients

Maintains a current knowledge of community resources in order to assist participants in securing services.

Utilizes all available resources with coordination and linkage with other related programs social service agencies and community associations.

Completes applications and other forms necessary in program certification of applicants.

Enter and maintain accurate client information in the THO-TNCIS database through the use of client verbal and written information, including the scanning and recording of necessary documents

Monitor client progress through case management utilizing of ongoing assessments

Evaluates family/elderly needs and initiates action toward eliminating these needs through the acquisition of services.

Responsible for timely review of client applications in THO-TNCIS database

Responsible to ensure accuracy of client application in accordance with grantor rules and requirements

Must maintain current knowledge and utility the programs Standard Operations Manual (SOP) for day to day operations

Make home visits and provides services as required to meet program goals.

Organize quarterly commodity events, and distributes/home delivery of surplus food commodities.

Responsible for timely and accurate submission of monthly reports and other requested information.

Attends workshops and training as required.

Adheres to professional ethics, confidentiality and standards, demonstrating work habits which comply with Agency Personnel Policies and Procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS:

High School Graduate or equivalency (Required)

Three (3) to five (5) years related experience (Required)

Bachelors or Associates Degree in Social Work or related field (preferred)

Must possess a valid Tennessee Driver's License and automobile liability insurance

Satisfactory background check

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Ability to speak and communicate effectively with co-workers, customers and community partners, regardless of race, color, creed, religion or national origin.

Must have a sincere desire to assist the eligible client base with working knowledge of their needs and to effectively assist and communicate with them

Ability to work independently with limited supervision

Ability to make arithmetic computations and tabulations accurately

Ability to maintain a safe working environment

Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instruction.

Ability to establish and maintain adequate records and methods for systematic reporting of statistical data

Ability to use modern office equipment; computers, calculator, smartphones, copier/scanners.

Ability to travel within area as required

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; stoop; bend; walk; talk; hear; use hands to grip; reach with hands and arms, required to stand or walk on uneven surfaces; climb stairs and lift up to 30lbs daily.