Advocacy Coordinator - Agency Admin

Enjoy making a difference? Join the team at FREE, enriching the lives of others, one individual at a time.

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to support people of all abilities reach their full potential and thrive in their communities. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy. Hours/days may vary each week: Mon- 10am-1pm Tues- 9:30am-12:30pm Flexible days: 4pm-7pm POSITION SUMMARY Reporting to the Director of Advocacy, the Advocacy Coordinator supports self-advocates, families, and community members by coordinating advocacy, outreach, education, and community engagement initiatives. The role focuses on expanding participation in FREE’s advocacy programs, organizing self-advocacy groups and events, providing advocacy training and resources, coordinating partnerships and collaboratives such as PrideAbility, and supporting local, state, and federal advocacy efforts while maintaining required documentation and compliance. DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Creates a welcoming environment that supports community and family involvement in FREE programs and activities. Assists the Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement in identifying opportunities for community involvement in advocacy at the local, state and federal level. Coordinates FREE’s participation in interagency collaboratives and initiatives including the New York State collaborative PrideAbility. Works with those we serve and provides information and training on advocacy and self-advocacy, including LGBT advocacy efforts. Leverages available community resources and creates additional outreach opportunities. Coordinates regular advocacy meetings and outreach activities. Provides training to interested service recipients on advocacy skills. Collaborates with state associations and peer agencies on advocacy initiatives. Organizes and leads FREE’s self-advocacy groups, meetings, and advocacy events. Assists with transporting self-advocates to community advocacy events and opportunities as needed. Ensures that all required documentation (paper and electronic) is completed /processed appropriately, in a timely manner, and meets quality and compliance thresholds. Performs other duties as assigned. Responsibilities of All FREE Employees Always communicates in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community. Complies fully with FREE’s confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees. Meets all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a safety or health risk. Coordinates, supports, attends and participates in all required events/ meetings/ reviews/ committees, including ones outside of standard working hours. Meets all job requirements and stays in compliance. Adheres to FREE’s standard of ethical behavior as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct as well as applicable laws and regulations. Please note the above duties, responsibilities, and essential functions are a non-exhaustive list, and may be changed by FREE at any time, with or without notice to the employee. QUALIFICATIONS Education: High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree in a related field preferred Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of experience working with individuals with developmental/intellectual disabilities and/or mental illness and experience with advocacy or government relations role in a social services setting. Specialized Training, Licenses, Certifications:

Valid CPR/FA certification required (provided upon hire as needed)

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities: Functional proficiency in spoken and written English Knowledge of OPWDD/OMH and I/DD issues and a passion for championing the rights of those with developmental disabilities. Strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills. High emotional intelligence with ability to listen and respond to concerns in a constructive manner. Other Requirements: Valid Driver’s License and satisfy criteria to be a driver for FREE required Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends as needed. WORK ENVIRONMENT This role is performed in-person with some travel to community events and other FREE locations required. Occasional extended travel to Albany and other areas required to attend events. Events may be in or outdoors in various weather conditions. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours). Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax and filing cabinets. Employee is required to reach with hands and arms. Employee is required to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch or stand on a stool as needed. Employee is required to be able to lift 50 pounds at a time. Notwithstanding the above listed physical requirements of this position, FREE will provide reasonable accommodations to allow employees to perform the essential functions of the position, provided such reasonable accommodations do not cause undue hardship on FREE. FREE is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected characteristic. In addition to federal law requirements, FREE complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in all of its locations. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises’ affirmative action efforts related to protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are set out and described in our affirmative action plan for protected veterans and individuals with a disability. If you have any questions or would like to view the affirmative action plan, please visit our website