Community Resources & Advocacy Program Coordinator Greenfield (27.57-$29.26/hr) 37.50 hr/wk

Description

DEPARTMENT: Community Services  

POSITION TITLE: Community Resources & Advocacy Program Coordinator 

LOCATION: Greenfield – satellite work in Northampton 

STATUS: Non-exempt 

SUPERVISOR: Director of Community Services  

POSITION SUMMARY

Oversee and coordinate the Community Resources & Advocacy program (CR&A). CR&A provides supportive services and referrals for community members in the Community Action Pioneer Valley (CAPV) service area. CR&A receives thousands of inquiries and works with hundreds of households per year. CR&A staff answer the CR&A information and referral phone line and make internal and external referrals. CR&A staff help participants apply for public benefit programs, such as SNAP, and work with participants to offer financial assistance for housing stability, utility shut-off prevention and heating assistance. The program coordinator is responsible for guiding all aspects of CR&A, staying up to date on local resources and public benefits programs, and keeping abreast of new and emerging resources. We are exploring new CR&A service models focused on longer-term case management for individuals and families. This position is responsible for recommending and implementing programmatic changes. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Manage and coordinate day-to-day program operations, including supervise staff and provide support, training and guidance; develop program policies and procedures in line with various funding source requirements; review applications for financial assistance; track funding sources spending and processing payment requests; develop outreach materials and promote program; oversee appointments and Information & Referral line procedures.   
2. Stay current regarding changes in public benefits programs, new approaches and models to providing services and support to low-income households and provide training to CR&A staff as needed. 
3. Ensure that all client files and financial assistance applications meet grant eligibility and reporting requirements. Process financial transactions in the agency’s payments platform.  
4. Ensure required data, monthly data reports, and other funder reports are prepared in a timely manner and meet requirements. Attend funder-related meetings and training sessions as needed. 
5. Manage access to and use of database systems following grant and security guidelines. Train staff team in agency database procedures.   
6. In partnership with department director, develop and pilot a new service model of case management/advocacy for community members experiencing poverty in CAPV’s service area.
7. Select, train/orient, and supervise a team of staff across multiple office locations, including hybrid remote work.
8. Inspire and motivate others to achieve increasing levels of performance excellence. 
9. Take an active leadership role in valuing and promoting different perspectives and opinions and approaches. Supervise the program and personnel in compliance with agency policies and procedures.
10. Evaluate team members’ job performance and recommend compensation, promotions, and disciplinary actions.
11. Remote work available complying with the agency’s policy.
12. Required to travel regularly throughout the service area, to CR&A office locations listed above, and occasionally out of the service area.
13. Attend regularly scheduled supervision meetings, department-wide and leadership team meetings, mandatory agency trainings, and participate in professional development activities. 
14. Maintain strictest confidentiality.
15. Perform related work as required 

This does not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.  

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Program planning, management, and administration. 
• Supervision and leading diverse teams 
• Interpersonal communication – verbal and written 
• Conflict resolution, problem-solving, establishing priorities, navigating change 
• Organization and attention to details 
• Developing and testing new program delivery models 
• Ability to guide staff through major programmatic changes
• Promote equity by deconstructing barriers to a racially just system. Cultivate work environments that value truth-telling, courage, vulnerability, space to think and reflect, community-mindedness, hope, and openness to difficult conversations. 

Key Knowledge and Experience:

• Knowledge of social services, advocacy, and navigating resources 
• Knowledge of Franklin and Hampshire counties and North Quabbin regional organizations and community resources 
• Experience working with marginalized communities and individuals with low incomes supporting stability efforts, providing case management, and advocacy for individuals 
• Experience with any of the following: housing/tenant rights, eviction proceedings, utility shut-off procedures, affordable housing resources and programs 
• Experience thinking creatively and strategically, setting program goals and steps to achieve them 
• Experience with data management, data capture, tracking methods and analysis for outcome measurements 
• Adapt to changing priorities and demonstrate close attention to details? 
• Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Suite and databases)? 

To Qualify

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:

• 4 years' experience in social services or closely related field
• 1-year supervisory experience

We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying. Please be clear and specific in application materials how your background, lived experience, and transferable skills are relevant to this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Requires sitting for long periods of time. 
• Working in office environment. 
• Some bending and stretching required. 
• Extensive use of telephone required. 
• Manual dexterity required for use of calculator and computer keyboard. 
• Must be able to lift from 20 – 30 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus. 

The work environment includes indoor office environments or comparable spaces, and community spaces, with occasional exposure to outdoor weather when traveling to outreach or meeting sites. The noise level varies by site. 

AA/EOE/AD

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of Criminal Offender Record check (C.O.R.I.) prior to hire and every three years. Evidence of a good driving record and ability to be covered under Community Action’s non-owned and hired vehicle policy. Ability to travel throughout the service region and occasionally outside the region