Housing Advocate Job Listing at River Valley Counseling Center in Chicopee, MA (Job ID 8399)

Description

Join our team here at River Valley Counseling Center, Inc.! We are hiring a Housing Advocate!# About Us At River Valley Counseling Center, Inc. (RVCC), our mission is to improve the health and well-being of every person in our community. We provide expert, compassionate care grounded in honesty, respect, and dignity. Through collaboration, innovation, and education, we inspire hope and empower positive change in those we serve. We are committed to being responsible stewards of our resources, ensuring efficient and cost-effective care for all. Position Summary: The Housing Advocate at River Valley Counseling Center provides compassionate and culturally responsive housing support services to individuals. This role includes offering housing information and referrals, assisting with applications, advocating for clients, and maintaining strong community partnerships. The advocate works across multiple sites to ensure access to safe, affordable housing, while upholding client confidentiality and promoting positive relationships within RVCC and the wider community. Key Responsibilities: To competently provide housing information and referral services for HIV/AIDS consumers. To provide support services to assist program participants with locating and accessing safe, affordable housing. To provide assistance and education to program participants completing housing applications or various related paperwork in a timely manner. To refer program participants to appropriate support services related to housing needs To provide or ensure that English/Spanish written and/or verbal interpretation for Spanish-speaking clients of all ages and their families/significant others is provided when appropriate.# To assist in designing and putting up educational bulletin boards at the program site(s). To assist in maintaining a library of educational materials for the program by working with HIV/AIDS community resources and other available instructional resources. To advocate for and provide support to individuals who use program services Qualifications: Required: Education Level - High School Diploma or GED Years of Experience -#Six months experience working with HIV/AIDS infected or affected clients or underserved populations, including housing searches, negotiations, and related support activities.# Skills/Abilities -#Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; negotiating skills; knowledge of the local geographic area; recordkeeping skills; organizational skills; attention to detail; ability to accurately follow oral and/or written instructions; ability to work independently; computer and clerical skills; good customer relations skills; ability to handle multiple tasks; ability to relate well to people of all ages and their family members; knowledge of learning principles applicable to different ages and culturally diverse backgrounds; knowledge of available community housing, transportation, and educational resources available for HIV/AIDS individuals and families and underserved populations; ability to deal calmly with any special or emergency situation that may develop with a client. Preferred: Experience using Microsoft Word preferred. Bilingual (Spanish/English) ability desirable.# What We Offer: A supportive, mission-driven work environment Opportunities for professional development and continuing education Competitive benefits package Collaboration with a compassionate, multidisciplinary team The chance to make a real difference in our communities# Summary of Benefits: Salary Range: $18.25 - $24.25 Based on years of experience, level of education, specialty and licensure/certifications. Additional Compensation for advanced education for qualifying positions. Generous time off benefits for eligible positions Exclusive employee discounts Excellent and affordable insurance including health, vision, dental and pet insurance Free access to VHS Fitness # Relaxation center Mileage reimbursement# 403b match CEU reimbursement up to $1,000 per year Tuition reimbursement up to $7,000 per year Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: River Valley Counseling Center, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you#re passionate about helping others and want to be part of a team that values integrity, compassion, and innovation # we#d love to hear from you! # Posting remains open until filled.#