Company Overview: Founded as an orphanage in 1831, Rising Ground has been at the forefront of evolving community needs. Driven by the belief that each of us can thrive when life has hope and opportunity, Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 25,000 individuals. We do this through 50 programs in 70 locations throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity shows not just through our work with supported persons but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve. Rising Ground is headquartered in downtown Brooklyn.

The Parent Advocate Supervisor will be responsible for the overall supervision of Parent Advocates assigned to the program. The supervisor provides directions and information to Advocates to maintain the provision of appropriate services to parents supported and their families. The Supervisor will manage the Parent Advocates and provide support and training to enhance professional development and mental health. The PAI Supervisor responds to ACS request for a Parent Advocate to participate in the ICSC, Initial Child Safety Conference. It is the PAI Supervisor who assigns the conference to the Parent Advocate.

Parent Advocates responsibility include providing support to families involved with the child welfare/protective system at the time of their initial Child Safety Conference. Advocates will work closely with ACS, in addition to Brooklyn and Queens-based organizations/ programs. Advocates, with their own personal prior lived experience of the child welfare system will authentically and effectively inform and support parents; help to improve the sensitivity and practice of other child welfare professionals; and lead to positive and more equitable permanency outcomes for children and families. Parent Advocates help to ensure that parents understand their situation and options, the processes, roles, and responsibilities stakeholders/participants/involved parties, and promote effective communication and transparency. Advocates' primary involvement will be in the initial period of the parent’s child welfare involvement, will support parents, build a rapport, and help them navigate community resources and services.

• Build rapport and support parents in coping with the trauma of child welfare/protective system involvement, making decisions for their families, and communicating effectively with those involved in their case.
• Work with socially, economically, culturally, and ethnically diverse groups in mutual respect.
• Manage workflow.
• Provide and/or coordinate Advocate’s training.
• Coordination and managing of Advocates scheduling, and reporting on hours worked.
• Coordinate, document, and channel Parent Advocate requests until resolution.
• Consult and collaborate with Program Coordinator on programmatic/case related concerns.
• Assist Advocates with reports & other case related documentation.
• Provide information and referral services to persons supported.
• Maintain and develop relationships with collaborative agencies to fulfill Rising Ground’s mission.
• Monitoring and participating in Safety Conference to observe Advocates overall relations with person supported and other systems.
• Helping to resolve staff issues and disputes.
• When an Advocate is absent/not available or there is a matter that requires higher-level support, the Supervisor must fill- in or coordinate with team to assure the Advocate’s role is fulfilled.
• Met with each Advocate for scheduled in-person supervision and maintain regular contact with Advocates by phone and email.
• Evaluate Advocates’ performance and provide regular feedback.
• Reports to Program Coordinator.
• To perform other job-related tasks and duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Bachelor’s degree in social service-related field or two years commensurate experience, MSW (Master Social Work) preferred.
• At least three years of supervisory experience.
• Experience working with children and families in a professional setting preferred.
• The ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion.
• Excellent oral and writing skills. 
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication and leadership skills. 
• Ability to multitask. 
• Initiative-taking problem solver
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills 
• Ability to facilitate and develop training/workshops to support Parent Advocates. 
• Must be sensitive to & demonstrate understanding of issues & dynamics within families in crisis relating to child abuse & neglect including, but not limited to, physical, emotional & sexual abuse issues, mental illness, domestic violence, IDD, and drug / alcohol abuse.
• Experience working with such families preferred. 
• Professional oral & written communication skills.

• Ability to effectively communicate with Advocates, staff, stakeholders, and all parties involved.
• Computer literacy
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours.
• Ability to travel throughout NYC.
• Ability to prepare program related reports, statistical data, and other program requirements.

Supervisory Responsibility

Yes

Work Environment:

Normal

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Full Time.  Hours are extended beyond the regular work schedule if support is needed.

Travel (if required):

The PAI Supervisor may have to travel to Brooklyn/Queens/Manhattan and Bronx based program. PAI Supervisors are also expected to travel to various ACS Brooklyn/Queens field Offices and possible other community locations/sites.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to travel to various locations in the community. Light lifting.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

It is the policy of Rising Ground that the Agency wholly complies with equal treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to an individual’s perceived or actual race, creed, color, national origin, alienate, citizenship status, gender, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or veteran status in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring,

compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.