Advocate

The San Diego Rescue Mission is built on beliefs that speak to the heart. We believe this is more than a job, that it's a calling to love our neighbors and those in need the way that Jesus would. In our programs, we create a holistic approach to recovery and rehabilitation while ensuring that our building is a safe haven for men, women and children who have experienced homelessness.

Advocates serve the Mission as a whole, and as a member of their specific Program team and report to their Associate Directors in Mission Academy. This position is a non-exempt position that provides support, advocacy, leadership, resourcing, documentation, and encouragement in partnering with clients toward successful Program completion or transition.

To perform this job successfully, the incumbent must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Responsibilities:

To serve as a resourceful Advocate in supporting our students toward achieving success while employing a trauma informed approach to care:
• Responsible for carrying a student case load ranging from 17-25 students.
• Meets regularly with students to provide support, assess Program progress, and troubleshoot barriers toward overall wellness and successful program completion.
• Demonstrates a measurable understanding and implementation of trauma informed practices and motivational interviewing techniques while interacting with students in the delivery of services.
• Collaboratively facilitates establishing student goals for their time at the Mission.
• Assists students/guests in identifying and determining measurable steps to meet student goals and expected program outcomes: (e.g., Mission Academy Outcomes: 1. Encounter God 2. Experience recovery 3. Job Training & Placement 4. Establish Housing 5. Enlist Support Network)
• Refers students/guests to appropriate internal and external resources (mental health, housing, legal, etc.)
• Provides services focused on enhancing the student's ability to independently problem solve, utilize effective coping skills, and manage and self-coordinate own care.

To maintain student case notes and other documentation as needed and appropriate:
• Maintains minimum established standard of client notes, reports, and other necessary documentation as trained and required.
• Secures supplementary information such as employment, medical, educational, or other records.
• Distributes passes as appropriate and according to program guidelines.
• Collaboratively and sensitively guides clients to stay within program limits and expectations.

To provide spiritual leadership and guidance for Mission students:
• Serves as primary spiritual touch point for students about resourcing, counseling, referring, praying, guiding toward greater wholeness as part of the established Partnership Plan
• Connects students that express willingness and desire to an appropriate faith community as part of establishing a community support network.
• Assesses student's desire (ongoing) to participate in Discipleship Program and takes appropriate steps to connect to a disciple.

Skills / Requirements

Education: Minimum bachelor's degree in social work, Psychology, Human Development, Ministry or related field from an accredited institution (or commensurate experience). MSW preferred.

Experience: 2 years full-time work experience with individuals experiencing homelessness, various addiction challenges, mental illness and/or dually diagnosed is preferred. Nonprofit experience preferred.

Skills and Abilities: Working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook); typing (min 35 wpm); coordinate and/or direct a variety of complex tasks and assignments simultaneously and successfully; exercise good judgment and make sensible decisions; attentive to detail; prioritize effectively; effective oral and written communication skills; eagerness to learn and be trained; work both independently and as part of a team; provide information to public by answering questions and requests; regular, timely attendance.

EEO Statement
The San Diego Rescue Mission (SDRM) is both an equal opportunity employer and a Christian ministry. We conduct hiring without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age, sex (which included breastfeeding, or a medial condition related to breastfeeding), marital status, parental status, military status, veteran's status, pregnancy, medication condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, disability or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

However, as a registered non-profit religious organization, SDRM does reserve the right to discriminate in hiring persons whose lifestyle is contradictory to Biblical principles.

Pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 702 (42 U.S.C. 2000e (a)), SDRM has the right to, and does hire only candidates who agree with SDRM's Statement of Faith and conduct themselves in accordance with our religious beliefs.

Background Check Disclaimer
SDRM conducts background checks in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act, and the California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act. If you accept a position with SDRM, as part of your conditional offer of employment, you will be asked to submit to a virtual background check AND a California Livescan Fingerprint.

You will be provided the following notifications as an example:
1. You will be provided with appropriate written notice of the company's intention to obtain information by way of a background check and will give applicants and employees the opportunity to obtain a free copy of any report obtained.
2. Applicants and employees will be asked to authorize a background check before such check is performed.

Drug Screen Disclaimer
SDRM is a Nonprofit Religious Organization and as such, we require all employees to submit to our drug screen as a condition of employment once they have accepted a position with SDRM. Because of our religious affiliation, we do not allow employees to use or consume recreational or medicinal marijuana, along with all other federally recognized substances. You will be notified prior to any employment decisions if your drug screen is returned with negative findings. Refusal to submit to testing will result in disqualification of further employment consideration.

E-VERIFY Statement
San Diego Rescue Mission participates in E-Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Please note that we do not use this information to pre-screen job applicants.