Elder Advocate

We are seeking a compassionate and skilled Elder Advocate to join our team as an extension of the 211 Resource Center. This on-site role is focused on supporting distressed, vulnerable, and at-risk individuals aged 60 and over. The Elder Advocate provides crisis de-escalation, suicide lethality assessment and intervention, supportive counseling, service linkage, and advocacy.

Key Responsibilities

Assess, evaluate, and identify the needs of at-risk elders referred through the 211 Resource Center. Conduct suicide lethality evaluations and intervene with elders experiencing suicidal ideation. Provide crisis de-escalation and stabilization services. Deliver supportive counseling, information, referrals, and advocacy to elders. Research and connect clients to appropriate community resources using automated systems and service taxonomy. Ensure timely and effective follow-up on client referrals. Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all client interactions and services provided. Coordinates and manages food assistance services for vulnerable elders, including oversight of the agency's in-house food bank, maintaining inventory records, coordinating food pickups from community food bank partners, and delivering food and other essential resources to elders experiencing food insecurity. Support the recruitment of volunteers for elder-focused initiatives. Participate in community outreach, presentations, and elder-related committees. Assist in developing and distributing directories and resource materials. Track and compile program data and statistics for reporting purposes. Attend monthly staff and departmental meetings and complete required trainings. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, or a related human services field (Master's preferred). At least one year of experience in counseling, social work, case management, or crisis intervention. A Master's degree may substitute for the experience requirement. Basic to intermediate computer proficiency.

Skills & Abilities

Strong crisis de-escalation and suicide risk assessment skills. Solution-focused and trauma-informed approach to client interaction. In-depth knowledge of aging-related issues and elder care systems. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. High level of professionalism, with sound judgment and effective problem-solving abilities. Ability to build respectful, collaborative relationships with clients, colleagues, and community partners. Reliable attendance and consistent punctuality.

Location

The position will be based in our temporary Delray Beach location for approximately 12-18 months before relocating back to Lantana in our newly constructed building.

The Agency

211 Palm Beach Treasure Coast is a private nonprofit 501(c)3 agency that was started in 1971 and quickly expanded into crisis counseling and suicide prevention. The agency cultivates a caring and dynamic team to service Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast (five counties). Additional partners provided funding to support a quality, centralized access point for health, and human services information and crisis services. 2-1-1 was designated nationally by the FCC for information and referral purposes, and it became the telephone number for the agency's helpline.

211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast's mission is to save lives through crisis intervention and by connecting people to health, mental health, and wellness services 24 hours a day every day.

The position

On-Site, Full time, day shift, Monday through Friday. Occasional weekend events.

Salary

$20.50- $23.00 per hour

Benefits: Health insurance Dental insurance Vision insurance Employee assistance program Life insurance Paid time off