Posting: Community Solutions Advocate - Michigan Humane

May 11, 2023


Job Title: Community Solutions Advocate

Reports to:  Community Solutions Manager


Overview:

The Community Solutions Advocate assists with planning, monitoring and managing all aspects of Michigan Humane’s Humane Communities initiative, a program that works to support both ends of the leash through compassionate care and human partner referrals. BSW’s provide outreach and support services to the Detroit community through direct outreach, partner with other departments to support the whole pet family, and work to provide other community-oriented animal welfare services. This person works as a partner to pet owners providing necessary support to keep the animal in the home and out of the shelter, resolving the human-centric issues that lead to surrender in the first place.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Provide outreach services to the community through door-to-door work in Detroit in partnership with the coordinators, attending block clubs and neighborhood meetings, and other outreach services as needed.
  • Safety Net programmatic support. Safety Net is a foster program for families who temporarily are unable to care for pets. This role will assist the manager in occasional touch bases and provide navigational support for resources as needed.
  • Work with volunteer team to recruit, educate and provide resources for Safety Net foster volunteer families
  • Build relationships and rapport in the community to drive conversations around spay/neuter, medical services, and other support we offer as an organization.
  • Design a personalized plan for safety net clients and provide relevant resource referrals to promote self-sufficiency with the goal of reunite clients with their pets.
  • Provide educational opportunities to groups in the Detroit community in conjunction with medical staff.
  • Coordinate and attend outreach events in order to provide support to underserved and low-income communities in need
  • Build effective bridges to other human support partners in order to cultivate referrals to MH services and increase avenues of support for clients we serve.
  • Connect clients in crisis to human and pet-centric resources
  • Lead effective community organizing to work with community members in building programs that are community driven and last beyond our engagement.
  • Support facility efforts to engage effectively with clients through compassionate, whole family engagement.
  • Distribute pet food and supplies to clients while providing excellent customer service by treating clients with dignity and respect.
  • Provide one-on-one customer service and/or humane education to clients, including warm hand offs and referrals to other human services offered in the city.
  • Complete daily data entry using databases, spreadsheets and software programs to track inventory donations and usage as well as volunteer events.
  • Miscellaneous projects as requested.

Demonstrated Abilities:

  • Ability to prioritize tasks, take initiative and work in a fast-paced environment
  • Well organized with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
  • Ability to work independently with limited supervision or collaboratively with a team
  • Ability to solve problems and resolve conflicts, using good interpersonal skills • Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. repeatedly
  • Ability to consistently adhere to prescribed protocols

Acquired Knowledge:

  • Strong customer service skillset critical to success.
  • Experience working in the field of Human Service/case management, specifically with low-income populations, BSW preferred but not required.
  • Willingness to get a chauffeur’s license.
  • 1-3 years of related experience a plus
  • Bilingual Spanish/English preferred
  • Familiarity with Detroit communities, especially Southwest or North End communities preferred
  • Prior experience working with volunteers preferred but not required
  • Proficient use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook) together with solid Internet and social media skills.

Michigan Humane is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities and skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable disabled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

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