About the Department
POSITION SUMMARY:
The TANF Family Advocate provides services that empower the family while assisting in removing barriers to self-sufficiency and engaging families in activities that promote healthy and stable community members. This position assists in the provision of social service assistance to children and families. This position shall maintain a friendly, congenial disposition at all times and will provide strength-based case management. This position will act as a team member and actively collaborate with others. Strict confidentiality is required of the incumbent in this position.
Position Duties
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Utilize active efforts in all aspects to serve families of Yurok Tribal TANF Program.
2. Ensures intake packets with individuals applying for TANF are complete. This includes assisting clients gather all necessary forms and documents to ensure that the application is complete for final approval.
3. Conduct home visits initially and as needed for TANF clients or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, and procedures. Assist in facilitation and coordination of family meetings.
4. Assess the need for referrals for individuals with physical and mental disabilities, child abuse, health issues, substance abuse and mental health issues.
5. Provide Family Empowerment Plan (FEP) and monthly review of progress to help participants and their families successfully achieve their goals, eradicate barriers to self-sufficiency.
6. Update FEPs consistently using strength-based practices and identify needs of the family and capacity for improvement and review and revise progress of case plans based on personal observations and data collection.
7. Process monthly financial assistance, determine income eligibility, and enter required data for monthly cash aid and supportive services.
8. Facilitate scheduling of well-child checks, dental exams, and mental health appointments as necessary, including transportation. Assist parents in family crisis with childcare resources and home management.
9. Participate in collaboration with other tribal programs interviewing individuals and family to compile information on social, educational, criminal, and institutional and drug history.
10. Professional interaction with tribal clients, personnel, partnering agencies and other departments.
11. Act as an advocate for program participants in interactions with other service entities.
12. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
1. G6: Highschool diploma or GED with four years of job specified experience.
2. G7: Highschool diploma or GED with five years of job specified experience.
3. Employee must be willing to acquire any special certifications or attend any training that is determined to be relevant or becomes required of the position in the future.
4. Candidates with equivalent combinations of education, training and experience will be considered.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Prefer applicants to have excellent computer skills that include Competence in Microsoft programs such as outlook, excel, word, etc.
2. Knowledge of English, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and a variety of letter and report formats in order to prepare correspondence and reports.
3. Possess a positive demeanor.
4. Ability to use initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines and procedures and reference policies and procedures as needed.
5. Ability to organize your own work, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines.
6. Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, superiors, the general public, representatives of public and private organizations and others sufficient to exchange or convey information including teaching and/or public presentations.
7. Knowledge of prevention and intervention programs.
8. Ability to work with all phases of community in confidential, non-judgmental manner.
9. Energetic, forward thinking, and creative with high ethical standards and an appropriate professional image.
10. Knowledge and understanding of local Tribal communities including cultural values and beliefs, history, family systems and community.
11. Recognition that in order to serve Yurok People one must know as much as possible about Yurok history, culture and values.
Other Qualifications
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
1. All applicants are subject to the Tribe’s Drug and Alcohol Policy including pre-employment screening.
2. All applicants will acknowledge and follow all Yurok Tribe personnel and other policies and procedures.
3. The Yurok Tribe is an equal opportunity employer who exercises Indian preference; Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC, Section 472).
4. Valid state issued driver’s license and/or the ability to obtain a California driver’s license. Must be insurable on the Tribe’s insurance policy.
5. Must pass a background investigation and fingerprint clearance.
6. This position requires compliance with the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act Public Law 101-630; 25 Code of Federal Regulations Part 63 - Indian child Protection and Family Violence Prevention; Crime Control Act of 1990, Employee Background Checks; and Executive Order 12968, Adjudicative Guidelines.
7. Position could require travel and occasional work outside of regular work schedule.