Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Family Advocate, Prevention/Stronger Together

Position : Family Advocate

Program : Prevention/Stronger Together

Type: Full-time; Non-Exempt

Pay Range: $18.91 – $23.11 (Hourly)

Location: Albany, New York

Job Ref. # : 230

About Our Organization :

St. Catherine’s Center for Children is a non-profit organization located in the Greater Capital Region of New York. We offer a wide array of human services designed to meet the needs of vulnerable children, families and adults, including residential and therapeutic foster care programs for children and youth, Kinship support, homeless and community-based services for adults and families, a special education elementary school for ages 5-13, and so much more. St. Catherine’s is committed to cultivating a culture where all employees feel safe to bring their authentic and best selves to the workplace. Our DEIB initiatives are designed to foster an equitable, inclusive and diversified workplace; collaboratively embracing mindfulness, relevance, respect and solidarity.

Our Mission:

St. Catherine's Center for Children provides a comprehensive range of human services designed to offer hope, foster growth, and improve the lives of the children, families, and adults we serve.

Our Vision:

St. Catherine’s willingness to embrace change and develop new services is, and will remain, our guiding philosophy as we support the human service needs of children, families, and adults throughout the region.

If you would like to learn more about us and our organization, please visit our website at:

Position Overview :

The Prevention Family Advocate (“FA”) provides supportive services to families and children served within the Prevention Parent Care Program. The caseload consists of approximately 20 families for whom the FA provides hands on support with an effort towards enriching their connections within the community, increasing connectedness to their families and informal supports, and supporting their goals around establishing a safe and stable household. These services are provided as part of a team consisting of 3 other professionals addressing various areas of need within each family.

Duties & Responsibilities include :

• Providing direct support services to clients served, either at an agency location or within the community, and collaborate with the Prevention/Parent Care service team to ensure clients receive necessary services.

Agency based work may include :

1. Providing childcare so parent may attend treatment reviews or other functions;
2. Assisting families at agency location/ client home, allowing them access to telephones, internet, etc.;
3. Meeting with families to formulate plans or goals;
4. Assistance with planning of client focus groups or luncheons;
5. Supervising visits between birth parents and their children.

Community based work may include :

1. Outreach work at a client’s home and assisting them with specific tasks.
2. Transporting families or children to and from appointments.
3. Working with families around socialization, support, and self-esteem enhancement, as well as home management and childcare skill-building.
4. Connecting families with informal community supports, such as food pantries, events, job fairs, vocational activities, etc.
5. Establishing relationships with grass roots organizations within the community to glean awareness of events, opportunities, and additional resources.

• Demonstrated ability to be flexible regarding hours of work, as necessary to meet clients’ needs.
• Follows HIPAA Guidelines, protecting and maintains strict client confidentiality.
• Attends Family Team Meetings, Service Plan Reviews, and Intake and Discharge Conferences to discuss current services provided and make future plans.
• Engages in efforts to increase professional competence by attending appropriate training and conferences.
• Serves on program and agency committees as needed.
• Actively participates in agency or community training as directed by Prevention Supervisor.
• Other position-related duties as assigned by the Prevention Supervisor.

Requirements & Essential Attributes:

• Ability to work: Monday-Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm w/ flexibility as needed.
• High School diploma or equivalency is required; College degree preferred.
• Experience in child care, family life, and the provision of supportive services to children with emotional and/ or behavioral difficulties and families experiencing multiple problems.
• A current Clean and Valid New York State Driver’s License (actively licensed at least one year) is required.
  • Staff in driving positions must be able to meet agency’s minimum requirements of our insurance policy for authorized drivers; including, but not limited to the minimum age of 21 at time of hire.
• Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate client schedules, within reason.
• Familiarity of community resources and their accessibility to children exhibiting emotional and/or behavioral difficulties & families experiencing multiple problems.
• Previous experience working in a human services agency is a plus!
• Proficiency in computer applications: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Business Workspace Suite, and use secure Internet practices.
• Experience with AWARDS is a plus!
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills; Capable of building strong working relationships with regulatory bodies.
• Self-motivated and engaged, with a strong attention to detail; Excellent writing aptitude.
• A kind, warm and caring mindset; Capable of exhibiting empathy for those in crisis.
• Qualities of positivity, flexibility and adaptability; A professional record of integrity, proven reliability and dependability.
• Capable of exercising ethical, independent judgment and discretion, handle sensitive data with strict confidentiality.
• Ability to pass background check, including fingerprinting.

What We Offer You*:

• Competitive Pay with an Excellent Benefits Package
• Health Insurance options*: Medical, Dental and Vision
• $600 Well-being Reimbursement Benefit*
• Generous Combined Leave Time (CLT) and Paid Holidays*!
• $500 Employee Referral Bonus*
• We are a 501(c) (3) agency, which is a qualifying employer for eligible staff under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program*
• Pension Plan with Generous Agency Contribution*
• 403b Retirement Savings Plan*
• Life Insurance* – Automatic Benefit at no cost to employee
• Paid Training, including TCI and CPR/AED/First Aid Certification & Update courses, if role appropriate
• Tuition Reimbursement*
• Travel/ Mileage Reimbursement*
• Professional Development & Career Growth Opportunities
• The Comfort of a Business Casual Environment
• Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging.

* To qualify, certain conditions may apply

EEO Statement: St. Catherine’s Center for Children is committed to creating a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, reproductive health and pregnancy, family history and genetics, disability, age, military status, veteran status, politics, or other beliefs, and any other characteristics protected by law.

Background Checks : We run a thorough and complete pre-employment background check on all candidates being considered for a position, this includes fingerprinting. All candidates must successfully clear the pre-employment background check process, which follows NYS/DOJ requirements. We pay for all pre-employment background checks!

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