Community Advocate in Atlanta, Georgia at Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation Inc
Job Description
Job Title | Community Advocate | |
Reports To | Community Advocate Manager, Standing With Our Neighbors (“SWON”) | |
Department | SSH - Standing With Our Neighbors | |
Work Location | Hybrid |
Position Summary
The Community Advocate is a full-time position in the Standing With Our Neighbors™ Program (“SWON”) of Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF) in Atlanta, Georgia. Standing With Our Neighbors is a part of the Safe and Stable Homes project that addresses housing instability for families of students enrolled in Atlanta Public Schools. AVLF is devoting considerable volunteer resources to improving living conditions and housing stability in the target neighborhoods to reduce student enrollment turnover and enhance student attendance and performance. SWON focuses on outreach and tenant education, close coordination with community partners, advocacy, and direct legal representation of tenants. Specifically, AVLF’s legal advocacy aims to halt evictions and resolve underlying issues – including heading off evictions before they are filed, forcing repair of deplorable conditions, preserving housing subsidies, and/or securing compensation for lost property and other damages. Clients access legal services through AVLF’s existing programs and clinics.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Focusing on community outreach, including coordination of "Know Your Rights" presentations, legal clinics, community tours, and other community events. These events may take place after 5 PM and/or on weekends.
- Canvassing neighborhoods, and attending community events (e.g., NPU and neighborhood meetings).
- Serving as a liaison to community partners, including spending time embedded in schools and maintaining “office hours” to meet with families and school administrators.
- Networking and building relationships within the target communities.
- Cultivating and building resources for clients within the target communities.
- Working closely with families and in tandem with volunteer attorneys toward the goal of keeping families within their school’s attendance zone and ensuring safe and healthy living conditions.
- Closely coordinating services with school social workers and other school staff.
- Working with the Staff Attorneys to educate families on how to promote effective repairs and avoid evictions, the right to safe and habitable housing, and addressing issues such as indoor air quality.
- Conducting screening for families facing rental housing issues.
- Managing a caseload of clients with social service needs.
- Maintaining accurate records of client services.
- Attending regular meetings with school staff and within the surrounding community.
- Meeting potential clients in person at our SWON offices to complete screenings and intakes.
- Otherwise, assisting and empowering AVLF’s SWON clients.
- Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
- Social work, teaching, or related field of study preferred.
- Strong relevant work experience may be substituted for education.
- Experience working with low-income individuals required; experience in the target neighborhoods, and familiarity with the Atlanta social services community and safety-net programs, are strong pluses.
- Prefer at least two years of work experience in the same or similar field.
- Fluency or proficiency in Spanish valued.
Knowledge and Skill Requirements:
- Demonstrated ability to work well with people, communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds with a high level of professionalism, respect, and courtesy.
- Takes direction well but is self-motivated and able to creatively solve problems, prioritize, and complete tasks effectively.
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice and legal services to low-income individuals and/or communities, whether through pro bono work or otherwise.
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, including experience and comfort with public speaking.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, and equally strong analytical skills.
- Willingness to accept constructive feedback and ask questions when necessary.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and problem-solve in a demanding and changing environment.
- Takes initiative and demonstrates sound judgment.
- Emotionally intelligent and self-aware.
- Comfortable learning and working with new technology and proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel is a plus.
Benefits:
- Health Insurance: AVLF covers 100% of employee-only Medical and Dental.
- Voluntary Benefits: 100% employer-paid coverage for group life, long-term disability, and short-term disability.
- Retirement: AVLF contributes 5% of your salary to a retirement plan—no employee match required.
- Paid Time Off: Includes 21 PTO days (prorated), 2 floating personal days, and twice-yearly wellness leave.
- Student Loan Assistance: Up to $500/month ($6,000/year) with a lifetime maximum of $60,000.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Supportive services available for employees.
Working Conditions:
AVLF is a hybrid organization. Work is performed remotely and in office environments, with travel to meetings, community sites, and client-related activities as needed. Work may involve a fast-paced environment requiring multitasking, prolonged sitting and/or standing, and occasional evening or weekend availability to support meetings, outreach activities, trainings, or client needs.
Salary: Starting at $55,000 annually, with compensation commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications.
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