Position Summary
Under the supervision of the Associate Director of Client Services, the Client Housing Advocate provides survivor-centered, trauma-informed case management, crisis intervention, and housing advocacy for adult, adolescent, and child survivors of domestic violence and their families. The Advocate helps eligible clients access emergency shelter and community resources; secure and maintain safe, stable housing; develop self-directed service and housing stability plans; and navigate legal, immigration, educational, employment, financial, and mental health supports. The role also assesses program eligibility, coordinates and monitors services, documents client progress, and collaborates with internal teams and community partners to support each survivor’s safety, healing, self-sufficiency, and long-term stability.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Provide immediate crisis intervention and client referrals using established crisis-response methods and protocols;
- Review client intakes and maintain client list/portfolio;
- Facilitate client access to community resources, including locating emergency shelter, housing, food, clothing, school programs, vocational and educational opportunities, and relevant mental health services;
- Verify client participation eligibility in Enlace’s housing assistance program—initially and annually, based on HUD guidelines and Enlace’s eligibility criteria;
- Assist housing clients in finding, securing, and maintaining permanent housing through the development of housing stability plans which complement their personal service plans;
- Conduct Housing Quality Standards inspections on clients’ housing units—initially and annually;
- Administer risk-score assessments for prospective Pathways clients, determine program fit, and enroll eligible clients;
- Identify clients who may benefit from Enlace’s financial capability and workforce development programs and connect them with the Client Workforce Advocate for enrollment in workshops and related support services;
- Assist, in collaboration with the legal team, with pro se legal cases (e.g., orders of protection, divorce, custody, and/or child support) by connecting clients with appropriate legal support (e.g., district attorneys, private attorneys, and/or public defenders) as it relates to any criminal cases;
- Assist clients in gathering documents or affidavits of abuse for immigration cases;
- Assist clients with developing life/self-sufficiency skills and connecting them to complementary community resources and/or support networks;
- Work with clients to identify goals and needs, incorporate them into client-directed service plans, and determine the appropriate level and frequency of support;
- Coordinate and monitor client-specific service plans by tracking client activities and progress toward goals, evaluating plan effectiveness, making appropriate adjustments, and participating in case reviews with involved staff members;
- Document all client encounters and contacts made on behalf of clients in Enlace’s Apricot database and maintain comprehensive client files (including original documents, the scanned copies of which are stored securely for safekeeping); and
- Regularly update information regarding community-based programs and services available for clients and coordinate such services as appropriate.
In addition to the essential duties outlined above, the Client Housing Advocate will:
- Be committed to advancing immigrant rights, gender equity, and socioeconomic justice;
- Commitment to advancing Enlace’s mission, vision, core values, and programmatic goals;
- Leverage best practices for facilitating positive, constructive interpersonal communication by exercising emotional maturity in resolving pressing issues or project components;
- Manage multiple projects effectively by staying organized, self-motivated, detail-oriented, and creative while demonstrating excellent time-management skills.
- Be a collaborative team player who shares responsibilities, and supports and acknowledges colleagues’ contributions;
- Respect differences in race, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion (or lack thereof), ability, arrest or conviction history, socioeconomic status, and immigration status; and
- Be flexible to manage other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Knowledge of community resources and services;
- Ability to monitor, assess, and record client progress toward their service plan goals, and make adjustments to plans and services;
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community;
- Ability to communicate client information to other professionals over the telephone under crisis circumstances;
- Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports on a timely basis;
- Records maintenance skills; and
- Must have strong verbal and written communication skills in both English and Spanish—especially when communicating client-specific information.
Position Qualifications
- Associate’s degree, or equivalent coursework related to the field describe in the job description, and a minimum of one (1) year of experience that is directly related to the duties and responsibilities above; OR
- A high school diploma or equivalency with three years’ worth of work experience, at least two of which are directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified above; AND
- Bilingual (English-Spanish), written and verbal required.
To Apply. All applicants must submit: a cover letter, a resume, and three (3) professional references to: [email protected] with the subject line “Client Housing Advocate Application” or mail to: Enlace Comunitario c/o Human Resources (2425 Alamo SE Albuquerque, NM 87106).
Pay: $24.00 - $27.50 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Albuquerque, NM 87106
