Housing Advocate

Job title

• Housing
• Advocate
• Reports to:
• Transitional
• Housing
• Manager
• HOURS:
• Full-time, 40 hours per week
• PAY: $21 an hour

Benefits

Tier 1 Bilingual Spanish-Speakers receive an additional $1 per hour already included in the base pay rate, 401k 3% match after six months of employment, PTO, Premium Pay, Insurance (Medical/HSA, EAP COBRA Qualified, Dental, Vision, Life, Voluntary Life, Voluntary Short-Term Disability)

Job summary

The Housing Advocate provides survivor-centered advocacy and case management services to individuals participating in DOVE Center’s transitional housing programs. Working across DOVE locations and in community based settings, the Housing Advocate supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault by assessing needs, developing client-driven housing and stabilization plans, providing safety planning, and connecting individuals to resources that promote housing stability and long-term self-sufficiency. Services are delivered using a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach, with a focus on maintaining safe, stable, and supportive housing environments. The Housing Advocate plays a key role in the day-to-day coordination of transitional housing services, including support for housing operations, unit oversight, and client engagement. This role requires collaboration with community partners, landlords, and internal teams to ensure continuity of care and effective service delivery. The position involves regular on-site presence across housing locations and requires flexibility to meet client needs and program demands while maintaining compliance with grant requirements and organizational standards.

Responsibilities

● Provides survivor-centered case management, including intake and critical needs assessment, ongoing needs assessment, safety planning, action planning, and referrals to community resources ● Maintains ongoing contact and follow-up with clients to support housing stability, safety, and access to services ● Documents all client interactions and program activities in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with agency standards ● Engages in regular case consultation and supervision with program leadership ● Conducts client intake for individuals entering transitional housing and supports ongoing housing placement and stabilization ● Provides services across transitional housing sites, outreach office, and shelter locations including walk-in/phone coverage and scheduled office hours ● Conducts housing-related assessments, including SPDAT, as required ● Coordinates with survivors regarding housing unit expectations, upkeep, and scheduled maintenance ● Supports maintenance and general oversight of housing units to ensure safe living environments ● Maintains knowledge of grant requirements and ensures services align with program guidelines ● Provides case management support across outreach and shelter programs as needed based on housing census and program demands, including supporting service coverage during staffing transitions or gaps ● Participates in the Hospital Advocate Response Team (HART) on-call rotation, providing crisis response and support as required ● Additional duties may be assigned as necessary to support evolving program needs, staffing changes, team coverage, and continuity of services. In these circumstances, a supervisor will approve these duties to ensure they do not change the core purpose of this position.

Core competencies

● Demonstrated cultural competency and ability to effectively work with those from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences ● Ability to remain flexible and adapt effectively in a fast-paced, trauma-informed environment ● Ability to maintain professionalism and appropriate boundaries in high-stress or challenging situations ● Demonstrated integrity and commitment to DOVE’s mission ● Ability to build professional relationships with program participants and colleagues to create an atmosphere of empathy, safety, support, and collaboration in the workplace. ● Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team ● Ability to assess client needs and provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and strengths-based case management services ● Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities, including client services, housing coordination, and documentation requirements ● Ability to support housing stability through effective communication, problems solving and coordination with clients, landlord and community resources ● DOVE Center promotes the workplace values of Trust, Compassion, Accountability, Mutual Respect, Excellence, and Inclusion. In addition to our workplace values, DOVE Center expects employees to demonstrate commitment to our agency’s Mission and Vision Statement, as well as our agency’s policies and procedures

Qualifications

● Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or other Behavioral Science field and two years of experience in human services; or an associate degree in a human services or related field and three years of experience in human services; or five years of experience in human services ● Ability to work evening and weekends as program needs require ● Strong organizational, time management, and self-direction skills, with the ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision ● Computer proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and email platforms, including Google Workspace and Microsoft Office applications ● Knowledge of community resources and referral processes, or ability to quickly acquire this knowledge ● Valid driver’s license, current auto insurance, and reliable transportation ● Ability to pass required background checks (BCI) per UT DHHS contract ● Excellent written and verbal communication skills ● Knowledge of and ability to comply with local, state and federal laws pertaining to confidentiality

DOVE Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or the presence of handicaps or disabilities, or any other basis protected by state or federal law.