Community Programs Advocate (bilingual)

The Mission Neighborhood Health Center (MNHC) is a non-profit, multi-site community health organization offering comprehensive health services in the Mission and Excelsior Districts of San Francisco.  The center offers primary health care services, adult medicine, pediatrics, family planning, OB/GYN, HIV and homeless services. 

We advocate for health equity and deliver innovative, high-quality services responsive to the neighborhoods and diverse communities we serve with a focus on the Latino Spanish-Speaking Communities.

The Mission Neighborhood Resource Center (MNRC) was founded in 2002 as a community response to the neighborhood's growing homeless population, the Mission Neighborhood Resource Center advocates for housing and resources to enhance the physical, social, emotional, and economic health of homeless residents in the 16th street corridor and surrounding Mission neighborhood. MNRC employs a service model based on harm-reduction principles and practices that focus on community building, basic human needs, and integrated health services for a diverse population as they move toward greater stability and well-being.

We are currently looking for qualified candidates for our Community Programs Advocate role. This position reports to the Program Director of the Mission Neighborhood Resource Center and is a Regular, Full Time, Non-Exempt role with a starting hourly range is $20.00 to $22.00 with full benefits. 

Primary Objective:

The Community Programs Advocate will engage, train, and support homeless and low-income individuals to participate in community activities and programs at the Mission Neighborhood Resource Center (MNRC). This position will coordinate the Capp Street Internship and provide intensive, individualized support for internship participants. This individual will participate in the weekly Ladies Night program and conduct group activities such as Men’s Saturday, support groups, holiday events and community meetings. The Community Programs Advocate also leads outreach and education efforts in the surrounding community to increase awareness and use of our medical and behavioral health services.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate MNRC’s Capp Street Internship
2. Recruit, train, and supervise interns from the MNRC community to participate in the Capp Street Internship.
3. Create and manage a schedule or calendar of internship activities including street sweeping, educational training and community-building activities.
4. Conduct intake and assessment of each intern.  Work together with case managers to create individual support plans and link interns with on-site or city-wide services. 
5. Carry out street cleaning activities on the 100 block of Capp Street three times a week.  Assure proper training and safety of internship participants. 
6. Coordinate weekly educational sessions for interns on relevant topics.
7. Plan and implement quarterly graduation events.
8. Maintain relationships with past interns by offering on-going individualized support and creating periodic communications such as mailings, outreach and invitations to internship events.
9. Work with past and current interns to organize an annual neighborhood event that promotes neighborhood unity and brings together interns, neighbors and supporters of the program. Participate in other neighborhood improvement activities when appropriate.
10. Conduct quarterly program evaluations.
11. Assist Community Programs Supervisor to track program funds and distribute incentives to participants.
12. Assure proper documentation of encounters in internship files and case management charts.  Perform necessary reporting and paperwork.
13. Will spend .10 FTE of time providing CHANGES registration and shelter reservations, including weekly during Women’s night.
14. Conduct group activities at MNRC including Ladies Night (Thursdays), Men’s Saturday, support groups, social and recreational activities, holiday events and community meetings.  Assure that community members are informed of and participate in group activities.  Document participation and conduct regular evaluations.
15. Assist Community Programs Supervisor with evaluation, data collection, reporting, and tracking expenditures of MNRC community programs.  Document attendance and participation in all programs and activities.  Evaluate programs regularly.
16. Maintain effective communication with supervisors, co-workers and collaborative partners. Attend weekly supervision meetings with Community Programs Supervisor. Develop and evaluate work plans on a regular basis.
17. Attend other relevant MNRC meetings and trainings including staff meetings and clinical coordination.  Represent MNRC at community meetings, events, conferences, and other activities as needed.
18. Assist in ordering, delivery, pick-up and stocking of program supplies for MNRC community programs.  Procure donations of program supplies when appropriate.
19. Conduct outreach to the surrounding community to educate homeless individuals living both on the street and in Single Room Occupancy hotels about our services including our medical and mental health clinic.
20. Other duties assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications:

1. Bilingual - Fluent in English/Spanish is required.
2. One year of social service experience working with communities of color or immigrant communities and individuals who are homeless, actively using drugs, or have severe mental and physical disabilities. Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred.
3. Working knowledge of harm reduction principles preferred.
4. Must have the demonstrated ability to address conflict by using conflict prevention, de-escalation, and resolution techniques.
5. Ability to work professionally and ethically in a multi-cultural team setting, including ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
6. Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
7. Knowledge of Word, Excel, Publisher and/or Quark preferred.

To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at www.mnhc.org. We offer a full range of benefits which includes the following:

• Medical Insurance – MNHC pays 90-100% based on plan
• Dental and Vision Insurance – free to employee
• Life Insurance – free basic policy plus voluntary option
• Flexible Spending Accounts for health & dependent care expenses
• Commuter benefits for public transportation expenses
• Vacation – 2 weeks (3 weeks after 5 yrs; 4 weeks after 8 yrs)
• 12 Paid Holidays plus your birthday and 12 Sick Days each year
• 40 hours Paid Educational Leave
• 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Company Contribution

Mission Neighborhood Health Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment for our diverse workforce. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.