Family Advocate at Shelter

Lutheran Settlement House is part of a movement rooted in radical compassion and focused on making lasting, meaningful change in people’s lives and in our community. The voices of our clients guide our work, telling us what supports they need and what needs to change in our city. Our staff shares deeply held values that make us a welcoming, responsive, and reliable safe haven for some of Philadelphia’s most vulnerable populations. We accompany our clients in times of crisis, we are catalysts for building community, and we joyfully celebrate the strength of those we serve. If this sounds like you, if you’re looking for a workplace where you can live out your values and a workplace that values your growth and development, we invite you to apply.

Scope of Position:

Lutheran Settlement House (LSH) is a non-profit, community-based organization committed to serving children, adults, and families living in Philadelphia. Within our Jane Addams Place family emergency housing program, we are seeking a compassionate and experienced individual to fill the role of Family Advocate in our shelter for families experiencing temporary homelessness. The primary responsibility of this role is to provide case management services for up to 12 families. Services include conducting assessments, coordinating services, making referrals, monitoring progress on client-driven goals, and serving as a systems liaison and advocate for and on behalf of residents.

This position includes rotating week-long “On-Call” responsibilities once every four to six weeks. 

Functions & Duties:

• Provides case management, advocacy, and referral services to families residing in shelter
• Provides quality client services and maintains client records accurately in accordance with program and funder standards
• Participates in team meetings, training sessions, and other team activities
• Responds to family need in creative ways to maintain a culture that ensures family choice and fosters respect
• Conducts intakes and provides a light orientation to the program and facility where needed
• Supports clients through challenging situations using de-escalation techniques, safety planning, and solutions-focused planning
• Maintains working relationships with staff of other agencies and partnerships and acts as liaison between clients and agency/institution
• Allows for flexible scheduling to accommodate the diverse needs of residents, ensuring accessibility and support in the early evening on occasion
• Creates and facilitates structured adult programming that supports skill development and self-sufficiency
• Meets regularly with supervisor to review program activity, services issues, and support needed
• Other related duties needed to further the mission, vision, and values of the program and agency-at-large

Qualifications:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in the field of human services, social work, or related field preferred
• Prior experience in counseling, case management, certified caregiving, or education preferred
• Strong listening skills, effective problem-solving skills, and knowledgeable (or willingness to learn) about community resources
• Strong communication skills (oral and written) and a commitment to best practice in client care
• Capacity to work collaboratively with a team
• Sensitive to cultural, socioeconomic, and individual differences, with a commitment to promoting equity and inclusion
• Strong attention to detail; ability to keep good records and files
• On-the-job training is provided, including a state-mandated 40-hour domestic violence training, to support candidates in developing necessary skills
• Candidates who are Bilingual Spanish/English are preferred and will be compensated commensurately

LSH is committed to creating an inclusive experience for all. Regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or identity, we firmly believe that we serve our communities best when everyone feels free to be their most authentic self. We value diversity and are committed to promoting it! We are an equal opportunity employer and applicants from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Our benefits include low-cost medical, free dental and vision insurance, as well as agency-funded life and disability insurance.
• We offer 8-week paid parental leave for staff (eligible after one year of service) who give birth, adopt, or foster a new child in their home.
• Our paid time off package includes an annual 3-4 weeks of vacation, 12 days of paid sick time, and 5 personal days to use at your discretion.
• We observe 16 organization-wide holidays, and an early close on Fridays during the Summer.
• Our 401k retirement savings program offers a 1% match, and we offer pre-tax flexible spending accounts for health, travel, and dependent care.
• We value growth and learning and offer training and conference participation whenever possible. We value the voices of our staff, and we offer mini grants for staff to pilot new ideas in their work.
• We offer flexibility for classes, internship possibilities within our organization, and the availability for social work licensure supervision.
• We understand that employees are people first and foremost and are committed to an overall supportive and flexible organizational culture.
• Our work is critical, but we know it’s not easy, so we aim to infuse joy wherever possible. Whether we are offering free yoga and exercise classes, ending all-staff meetings with Karaoke or Bingo, or committing steadfast to a snack-based meeting culture – we aim to balance the weight of our work with laughter and levity as often as we can.

Candidates who are Bilingual Spanish/English are preferred and will be compensated commensurately