Client Advocate

Ballard Food Bank’s mission is to bring food and hope to our neighbors because there can be enough for everyone. To achieve our mission, we provide access to nutritious foods through our grocery model food bank, Kindness Café, and Community Resource Hub, which encompasses financial resources, referral, and mail services that support self-sufficiency. We also advocate for food equity and justice. Our home, which opened in October 2021, serves as a Hub for Hope as it brings together food, services, and community partners in a one-stop shop. The Ballard Food Bank actively strives to be an anti-racist organization and promotes the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in its work. Position summary: The Client Advocate is an important member of Ballard Food Bank’s Community Resource Hub. Together, the team provides a client-centered approach by meeting community members where they are and supporting them as they work to achieve their goals. The Client Advocate will engage with community members, community partners, and volunteers to build a bridge of services and connections. This Community Resource Hub team provides clients with a range of services that help individuals achieve self-sufficiency, including case management, resource navigation to on-site and offsite partners, community outreach, mail, as well as financial assistance to prevent homelessness. Organizational Responsibilities: Model Ballard Food Bank's mission and values while fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and relationship-centered environment. Utilize trauma-informed care, harm reduction principles, motivational interviewing, and de-escalation techniques to support individuals experiencing complex needs. Client Advocacy Responsibilities: Provide ongoing case management by maintaining a caseload of individuals requiring short-term and longer-term support. Complete applications, referrals, documentation, and follow-up activities while maintaining accurate and confidential client records. Partner with clients to identify goals, navigate barriers, and develop individualized plans that promote stability and self-sufficiency. Assist clients in accessing housing, employment, public benefits, healthcare, behavioral health, legal resources, identification services, and other community support. Coordinate or accompany clients to community appointments and service providers, when appropriate, to improve access to resources and support client goals. Advocate on behalf of clients with community organizations, government agencies, healthcare providers, landlords, and other service partners. Community Hub Responsibilities: Provide direct support in the Community Resource Hub by covering approximately two to three scheduled Hub shifts per week, assisting clients with resource navigation, responding to immediate needs, and connecting community members to Ballard Food Bank programs and community partners. Collaborate with Community Resource Specialists and other Community Resource Hub staff to coordinate financial assistance, resource navigation, mail services, and referrals to ensure seamless client support. Collaborate with Ballard Food Bank staff and community partners to ensure coordinated, client-centered service delivery. Qualifications: Three or more years of experience providing case management, client advocacy, or direct human services. Experience supporting individuals experiencing housing instability, poverty, behavioral health challenges, substance use disorders, or other complex barriers. Working knowledge of local health and human service systems, including housing, public benefits, employment, behavioral health, and community resources. Experience utilizing trauma-informed care, harm reduction principles, motivational interviewing, and de-escalation techniques. Strong relationship-building, communication, advocacy, and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage an active caseload, prioritize competing demands, and maintain accurate documentation. Ability to establish professional boundaries, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality. Commitment to Ballard Food Bank's mission, racial equity, and relationship-centered approach to serving the community. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn client databases and reporting systems. Valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to travel locally as needed. Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, or another language commonly spoken by Ballard Food Bank clients is strongly preferred. Hours: This is a full-time position with much of the work happening Monday – Thursday with some evening and weekend hours for events or programming. Ballard Food Bank currently works a 35-hour work week. Equal Opportunity Employment: Ballard Food Bank is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to cultivate a staff team that reflects the rich diversity of our community. We value a team that is vibrant, inclusive and offers a place of belonging. Applicants representing the diversity of our communities including, people of color, people with disabilities, people with lived experience, and people of diverse sexual orientations and gender expressions are encouraged to apply.