PATH Advocate

Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. is seeking a dedicated and compassionate individual to join our team as a PATH Advocate. In this role, you will provide direct services to clients residing in independent transitional living apartments through the Program to Assist the Teenage Homeless (PATH). You will work collaboratively with other service providers to engage consumers and assist them in connecting to needed services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide direct services to clients residing in independent transitional living apartments through PATH.
• Work in collaboration with other service providers to engage consumers and assist them in connecting to needed services.
• Inform consumers of available services in the community and assist with the referral of primary and secondary consumers to services and monitors the provision of services to all consumers.
• Work directly with supervisors on the development of service plans for each client.
• Meet with youth to provide supportive crisis intervention, counseling, solution-focused decision making, and information about other systems through which they can obtain assistance.
• Provide direct advocacy to community providers, including health providers, LDSS (SNAP, Health Insurance, PA), HUD, counselors, and school personnel to ensure client's goals are achieved.
• Set up case conferencing as needed with community providers.
• Provide the teaching and coaching of life skills; facilitate education and support groups as assigned.
• Collaborate with community partners in the development and implementation of joint protocols to ensure compliance with regulations and eligibility requirements.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments with each youth to determine substance use concerns, labor and sex trafficking risks, and life skill abilities and progress.
• Attend internal and external meetings as assigned and assist in meeting facilitation as required.
• Work cooperatively and foster effective relationships with volunteers, schools, community members, agencies, and other service providers.
• Complete all documentation as required, including electronic records; documents for billable services, as required.
• Screen and make appropriate referrals as needed for domestic violence, substance/alcohol use, mental, physical, and oral health, child abuse, counseling, and any other needed resource.
• Provide or arrange transportation to enable consumers to connect with needed community resources.
• Perform other tasks as assigned from time to time, including but not limited to providing coverage, case management, and assistance at OCO's YES Shelter as needed.

Requirements:

• Have a desire to work with individuals and families and have a thorough understanding of the family development process and the OCO Service Delivery system.
• Must be able to work independently and be self-motivated, resourceful, organized, and adaptable in carrying out job duties.
• Must be familiar with the geographical layout of the county and have knowledge of human service resources in the county.
• Must have good oral and written communication skills and have excellent documentation and reporting skills.
• Must possess skills for complex data entry and have the ability to read and interpret complex information and manipulate data.
• Must have demonstrated ability to work with others in a warm, non-judgmental manner and be a positive role model.
• Must be able to direct the work of others, set priorities, and problem solve.
• Must exhibit professionalism, good judgment, and maintain strict confidentiality with regard to client information.
• Must exhibit a detailed knowledge of regulations, services, rights, and responsibilities for the population served.
• Must have the ability to work with populations with special needs, including those that may exhibit aggressive behaviors.
• Must be flexible with work schedule in order to meet the needs of the program; must participate in 24-hour on-call emergency services on a rotating basis.
• Must have acceptable health to carry out the responsibilities of the position.
• Must have a valid NYS Driver's license with driving record within policy and access to a properly insured, reliable vehicle for regular travel and transporting consumers.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have a Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services area; and
• Must have 1 to 3 years experience with children, youth, families, or a special population; OR
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Work Schedule:

40 Hours Per Week / 52 Weeks Per Year

Grade 9

Tuesday through Saturday: 10:00am - 6:00pm

Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.