Community Advocate – Northfield

Community Advocate - Northfield

Organization: Community Action Center (CAC) is a community-based, non-profit, human services
organization that provides and advocates for the basic needs of people and families throughout Rice
County. Its programs create a robust safety net for low-income families and include food access, housing,
employment services, clothing, emergency assistance, youth services, transportation, health care
assistance, and more.

CAC provides drop-in resource centers where immediate response and support are available, and its
thriving and abundant food shelves serve fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant food to thousands of
households each year. CAC also administers multiple housing services spanning from emergency shelter
to workforce housing, including ongoing support services with tenants. CAC’s Recovery Support program
helps individuals who are currently using or in recovery from substance use. Partnerships with local
employers allow CAC to connect individuals to job opportunities and enhance job skills, and CAC’s retail
clothing store provides the entire community with access to affordable clothing.

Mission & Values: CAC’s mission is to promote a healthy, caring, and just community for all people
through resources, advocacy, and volunteer effort. To that end, CAC strives to be a trauma-responsive
organization, providing services that embody the idea that people can adapt, heal, and even grow from
traumatic experiences. Recognizing the effects that trauma has on individuals, families, and our society
as a whole, CAC aims to reduce the impact of trauma on the lives that the organization touches by
helping individuals to feel safe, connected and in control—over the course of many interpersonal
interactions and in a variety of welcoming settings. Responding to the community in a trauma-responsive
way is critical to the success of this position and to the mission of CAC.

CAC’s resources and staff are integral parts of their communities and include partnerships with schools,
businesses, faith communities, and other organizations. This extensive local network allows CAC to
pursue community-engaged solutions, prioritize partnerships, and collaborate with thousands of
volunteers. Currently, we are looking for a Community Advocate to help support the
community-responsive work of CAC.

Job Title: Community Advocate
Reports to: Resource Center Manager
Primary Location: Northfield
Compensation: $19-22/hr
FLSA Status: Hourly, non-exempt
Hour Status: 40 hours

Job Summary: The position of Community Advocate will support an organizational culture of a
community-based, person-centered, and trauma-responsive environment. The position will respond to the
unique needs of participants accessing services through our Resource Center and in the community.

Primary Job Responsibilities: CAC’s success depends on the ability of its staff and volunteers
to adjust and adapt as they dynamically meet the needs of the community. Job responsibilities
include but are not limited to:

Advocacy – Responsible for amplifying the voice of participants throughout the community
through relational and responsive services. CAC is prioritizing innovative perspectives on
empowering participants beyond typical feedback or advisory panel discussions. CAC is looking
for a dynamic advocate to support CAC’s mission. Additional tasks and activities include:

Direct Service Resource Coordination:

• Conduct intake and assessments to reflect the strengths, needs and challenges

• Provide appropriate service coordination in response to intake and assessment,

• Complete MNSure Navigator training and assist participants with health

• Identify service barriers and work to remove them through engagement with the

• Utilize crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills to support families in need,

• Collect data and maintain accurate records for statistical, evaluation and funding

General Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate commitment to the agency’s mission: “To promote a healthy, caring, and just

• Employ trauma-responsive, person-centered care practices to create a safe and healing space,

• Utilize crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills to support individuals and families in need
• Follow all mandated reporting laws for vulnerable adults as well as child abuse and neglect
• Attend and actively participate in regularly scheduled organization and team meetings and

trainings

Work Environment and Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job the
employee is regularly required to walk, stand, bend, kneel, use hands to write, and sit for
prolonged periods at a desk working on a computer. Employees are subject to a moderate noise
level.

Qualifications: CAC is committed to finding the right person for the position, ideal candidates
will possess many of the following qualities:

Compensation: The position is designed as a full-time 40-hour/week, non-exempt position. Hourly
wage will depend on experience and qualifications with a starting range $19-22/hour plus benefits. CAC
provides a stipend for health care or to use however you choose. CAC offers flexible work arrangements,
professional development opportunities, and a chance to creatively build and implement innovative ideas.

Equal Opportunity: CAC is an equal opportunity organization. CAC believes that the most efficient and
effective workplaces include employees from diverse backgrounds. We strive to create a work
environment where all employees and individuals, regardless of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national
origin, age, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, public
assistance status or veteran status, can succeed and make an impact in the community.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Application and Hiring Process: CAC will be interviewing on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional
references to employment@communityactioncenter.org. Inquiries and questions can be sent to this
same e-mail address or by contacting CAC’s Human Resources Specialist, Jessica Sewich, at
sewich.jessica@communityactioncenter.org or 507-664-3564. Only qualified candidates will be
contacted.