Job Description
Client Advocate (9 Month Contract) **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW*** (ERLS) is hiring a Client Advocate on a 9-month contract for our Sioux Falls office, with a focus on connecting clients to community resources and providing emotional support to clients. Advocates seek to empower each client to gain and maintain their safety, stability, and well-being. ERLS is a non-profit law firm serving low-income individuals in the 33 eastern South Dakota counties. **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW*** exists to better the lives of the over 52,000 people living in poverty in eastern South Dakota. We prioritize services to our most vulnerable citizens, including our community's Veterans, older Americans (60 ), people with disabilities, victims of crime, and all those facing financial insecurity. Under the supervision of the Director of Operations, the Client Advocate will work independently or collaboratively with our legal department depending on the client’s needs. While legal staff assist our clients with legal matters, the Client Advocate helps with other complex issues such as health, housing, and social environments, along with a multitude of other challenges. The Client Advocate position will assist legal staff with these issues throughout the course of ERLS’ representation, as well as assist in our community education and with outreach events. Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Promote educational programs statewide and locally; 2. Assist with planning and implementing outreach events statewide and locally; 3. Collaborate with other non-profit organizations on how to meet client needs; 4. Comply with all regulations, grant requirements, and internal operating and personnel policies; 5. Develop materials and content for social media and the website; 6. Provide support to clients’ psychosocial needs, parenting needs, life skills, and job development; 7. Assist in the creation of plans to help clients become more independent and stable; 8. Coordinate counseling, medical and mental health treatment, housing, education, job training, and other social services; 9. Offer emotional support to clients to help them maintain relative stability while they process their legal case(s) and pursue other remedies and benefits; 10. Provide support to clients filling out applications to South Dakota Cares, Crime Victim’s Compensation, housing, and other benefits and follow up on status as necessary; 11. Assist clients to recount their experiences to complete applications, pleadings, and other forms of relief and prepare testimony while providing support to minimize traumatization; 12. Coordinate communication with and advocate on behalf of clients to law enforcement, government agencies, social service agencies, educational institutions, medical and legal professionals, and others to help clients understand and navigate the legal system; 13. Connect with non-profits and assistance agencies to build relationships to better assist clients; 14. Ensure that all client, project, and computer files are maintained in an orderly manner; 15. Other duties, which may be assigned from time to time by the Director of Operations. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 1. Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Social Work or a related field; 2. Excellent organizational, cross-cultural communication skills; 3. Knowledge of social, psychological, medical, economic, and legal factors that influence behavior; 4. Experience related to and knowledge of clinical issues regarding victimization, mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and related fields; 5. Skills and experience in client interviewing, assessment, case management, treatment planning, and advocacy; 6. Ability to prioritize and manage multiple clients and responsibilities; 7. Excellent written and communication skills; 8. Ability to work constructively with others; 9. Knowledge of public and private social services systems and programs; 10. Skills and experience in interacting with persons of various social, racial, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds; 11. Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently; 12. The ability to speak more than one language is a plus, but not required. Classification: Classified as an exempt employee. Salary: Starting at $42,844.80, depending on experience. Benefits include 14 paid holidays plus a birthday holiday, vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life Insurance, AD&D Insurance, IRA, and travel reimbursement. ERLS’ Sioux Falls office is open Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. We close from 12:00pm-1:00pm for lunch. To Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and references to: Melissa Frericks Director of Operations **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW*** 335 North Main Avenue, Suite #200 Sioux Falls, SD 57104 **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW*** Submission Deadline: Open until filled **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW*** is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Persons of color, Veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other traditionally underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
