Veteran Support Advocate, Charleston Veterans Village, Homeless Veteran Program

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

The mission of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation is to honor the sacrifice of firefighter Stephen Siller who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001. We also honor our military and first responders who continue to make the supreme sacrifice of life and limb for our country.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is committed to eradicating homelessness amongst our veterans. The Foundation is seeking an experienced Veteran Support Advocate to work collaboratively with the Program Staff serving Veterans who are seeking long-term supportive housing. The Veteran Support Advocate will utilize a trauma-informed, person-centered, strength-based, recovery-oriented approach when working with Veterans. The position will support Veterans in developing skills, connections, and resources necessary to maintain housing stability, increase community integration, and improve overall quality of life. Candidates will be responsible for providing self-help and empowerment tools to participants in the community through participant led groups as well as providing individual services. Candidates will also manage the front desk operations while monitoring CCTV surveillance systems and conducting regular walking rounds to ensure the safety and security of the premises.

Duties and responsibilities

• Provide peer support and mentorship to Veterans through shared lived experience, promoting hope, resilience, self-advocacy, independence, recovery, and successful community reintegration while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Build trusting relationships with participants and utilize trauma-informed, person-centered, culturally responsive, strengths-based, and recovery-oriented practices to support individualized goals and overall wellness.
• Assist Veterans in accessing and navigating community and internal resources, providing advocacy, referrals, and support services that enhance housing stability, quality of life, and self-sufficiency.
• Facilitate individual and group activities, community events, resident meetings, and wellness-focused programming that encourage engagement, social connection, and personal growth.
• Observe, assess, and respond to participant needs and challenges, including barriers related to mental health, substance use, trauma, homelessness, and community adjustment. Document concerns and communicate them to the supportive housing team in a timely manner.
• Recognize and appropriately respond to crises, including mental health, substance use, behavioral health, or safety concerns, following established emergency, incident-reporting, mandated reporting, and crisis intervention protocols.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including Case Managers, Licensed Clinicians, Employment and Entitlement Coordinators, and emergency services personnel, to coordinate care and support positive participant outcomes.
• Maintain a visible and supportive presence within the facility by conducting routine walkthroughs, monitoring common areas, tracking participant and guest activity, enforcing visitor policies, assisting with front desk coverage, and promoting a safe and respectful living environment.
• Utilize case management systems (e.g., AWARDS/Foothold or similar platforms) to maintain accurate, objective, and timely documentation of participant interactions, services, progress, incidents, and program activities.
• Monitor and resolve program, office, and participant-related issues independently and collaboratively while ensuring compliance with Foundation policies, program requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Attend staff meetings, case conferences, and ongoing training opportunities to maintain professional development, certification requirements, and program knowledge.
• Provide shift coverage as needed to support 24/7 facility operations, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency situations.

Requirements:

• Associate degree or 60 college credits required and at least two years of experience in the social services or human services field
• Strong organizational and design skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Detail oriented.
• Ability to multitask multiple projects.
• Ability to collaborate and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, including Behavioral health professionals, case managers, and community organizations.
• Candidates must successfully complete a two-week training program, which includes, but is not limited to, the following topics: Reducing Stigma, Mental Health First Aid, CPR/NARCAN Training, etc.
• Valid Driver License required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office/ Google Suite (or equivalent).
• Veterans are encouraged to apply and contribute their valuable experience.
• Pre-employment screening, including a background check, is required.
• Application materials should include a résumé and cover letter.

*Application materials should include a résumé and cover letter.

*Required to work on site in Charleston, SC.

Working conditions

Special working conditions may include: a change in days worked, shift hours, and/or working conditions (outdoors or other locations) when participating and assisting in special events needed.

Proposed Schedule

To ensure 24/7 coverage of the building, Veteran Support Advocates will be assigned shifts that may fall on any day of the week—Monday through Sunday—and may include the following time slots:

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

4:00 PM – 12:00 AM

12:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Holiday coverage will be compensated.