Child and Family Services Advocate at United American Indian I Inc – Los Angeles, California

United American Indian Involvement (UAII) is the only Urban Indian Organization in Los Angeles County, proudly serving as a home for American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Through our healthcare facility and culturally centered programs, we provide essential physical, behavioral, and spiritual health services—helping individuals stay connected to their Tribal heritage and traditions.

For over 50 years, UAII has grown to become the largest nonprofit provider of health and human services for American Indians and Alaska Natives in Los Angeles, home to the nation’s largest Urban Indian population. Our dedicated team delivers compassionate care that supports daily healing, resilience, and the continued strength of our communities. UAII is committed to uphold Indigenous values in all aspects of our work. It guides our actions, relationships, and responsibilities, ensuring that we serve our communities with integrity, respect, and accountability.

Core Principles

• Respect for Relatives – I will honor the dignity of all people, recognizing that every individual is a relative deserving of respect, compassion, and care.
• Community Responsibility – My work is not only for individual benefit but for the collective well-being of our communities, present and future.
• Cultural Integrity - I will safeguard and uplift Indigenous languages, traditions, and cultural practices, ensuring they remain central to our organizational life.
• Reciprocity - We give back in balance with what we receive, fostering mutual trust and accountability in all relationships.
• Stewardship – I will act as a caretaker of our communities, resources, and environment, mindful of the impact of our decisions on future generations.
• Truth and Transparency – I will communicate honestly and openly, ensuring clarity in our commitments and accountability in our actions

Job Summary

United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII), is seeking a Child and Family Services Advocate to play a vital role within our native organization, providing culturally responsive services that support Indian child welfare. This position emphasizes peer support, advocacy, and guidance for families navigating the child welfare system. The advocate will work closely with children and families to ensure their voices are heard and their cultural values are respected throughout their involvement with social services and the court system.

This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Native children and families by promoting family unity, cultural identity, and positive outcomes within the child welfare system.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

· Provide peer support and mentorship to families involved in Indian Child Welfare cases.

· Assist families in understanding and navigating the Department of Social Services and child dependency court processes.

· Advocate for the best interests of Indian children and their families, ensuring compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).

· Work collaboratively with Child and Family Services staff, tribal representatives, and community partners to support child safety, family preservation, and cultural connections.

· Facilitate access to resources, services, and educational opportunities tailored to the unique needs of Native families.

· Document case activities and maintain clear, accurate records in accordance with organizational policies.

· Serve as the intake specialist for Community Programs, completing initial assessments for new clients.

· Coordinate and manage referrals to community support services and the Healthcare Division, ensuring clients remain connected to resources that support their wellness goals.

· Answer and triage incoming calls across the organization, directing individuals to the appropriate programs and staff.

· Attend court hearings as the designated representative for UAII, ensuring the organization’s interests and documentation are accurately presented.

· Must be able to reliably travel between our Los Angeles office and assigned court hearings.

· Strong communication skills and ability to provide empathetic, culturally informed support to peers.

· Commitment to upholding the values and traditions of Native communities.

· Commitment to upholding the Mission and Vision of United American Indian Involvement.

Minimum Qualifications (Education & Experience)

· High school diploma or equivalent required.

· Associate degree in Social Work, Human Services, Child Development, or a related field; or a comparable combination of education, professional experience, and/or relevant lived experience supporting children and families through community-based or family-serving programs.

· Familiarity and experience with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and its application in child welfare cases.

· Familiarity and experience working with child welfare systems, DCFS processes, and court procedures.

· Strong understanding of ICWA, Tribal sovereignty, and culturally grounded family-support practices.

· Ability to collaborate with Tribal, county, and community partners.

Preferred Qualifications (Education & Experience)

· Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Child Development, or a related field

· Knowledge of domestic violence dynamics, safety planning, and trauma-informed care.

· Personal experience with the Department of Social Services and child dependency court system strongly preferred.

Conditions of Hire

· Eligibility to work in the U.S.

· Fingerprint clearance and post-offer drug test.

· Proof of hepatitis B vaccination and TB screening.

· UAII strongly encourages COVID-19 and Influenza vaccinations; in the absence of the recommended vaccinations, employees are advised to wear a mask while in the clinic areas.

Benefits

· Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

· Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance Plans

· Company-paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

· Company-paid Basic Life Insurance and AD&D

· HSA, FSA

· 403(b) Retirement Plan with 4% Employer Match

· Employee Assistance Program

· Bereavement and Jury Duty Paid Leave

· Employee Wellness Program

· Paid Vacation - 12 days (first 2 years)

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here represent those employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job.

This is an onsite position and normal office conditions exist, and field-based work, including court appearances. The noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate. Exposure to sensitive and emotionally challenging situations. Regular interaction with families in crisis, survivors of violence, and system-involved youth.

Because of occupational exposure to aerosol transmissible diseases, employees are strongly encouraged to receive annual influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations to not only protect their health, but also the health of our colleagues and the community. In the absence of the recommended vaccinations, employees are advised to wear a mask at all times while in the clinic areas as a precautionary measure to help prevent the spread of illnesses.

Potential occasional exposure to low dose radiation hazards, hazardous chemicals and body fluids and waste. Personal protective equipment provided. May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases. Work may be performed in a health clinic setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. This job routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, telephones, photocopiers, and fax machines. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and/or sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit and climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected status under federal, state, or local law. UAII is a drug-free workplace and complies with ADA regulations. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

UAII is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law.