Family Advocate/Center Floater: Columbus

About the role

Bamboohr is seeking a Family Advocate and Center Floater to provide essential support to families and community members in Columbus, Kansas. This full-time position centers on helping individuals and families access the resources and services they need to achieve stability and well-being. The advocate works directly with clients to understand their unique circumstances and connect them with appropriate programs and assistance. By serving as a trusted point of contact, the Family Advocate ensures that families receive coordinated, compassionate guidance throughout their journey toward self-sufficiency.

Key facts

What you'll do

Provide direct one-on-one support to families seeking guidance on available community resources and social services in the Columbus area.

Help clients navigate and complete applications for housing assistance, food programs, utility aid, and other essential forms of public assistance.

Conduct both home visits and center-based meetings to assess family needs, identify barriers, and develop personalized action plans for each household.

Connect families with local health care providers, educational opportunities, job training programs, and employment resources that match their specific goals.

Maintain thorough and accurate records of all client interactions, referrals made, and outcomes achieved using the organization's internal databases.

Work closely with other staff members and partner agencies to coordinate services and ensure each family receives holistic, wraparound support.

Represent Bamboohr at community events, outreach fairs, and local meetings to raise awareness of available programs and build trust with residents.

Facilitate group sessions and educational workshops on topics including parenting skills, financial literacy, health and wellness, and child development.

Advocate for client needs and preferences within the organization and when communicating with external service providers and community partners.

Monitor and report on program effectiveness, family progress, and service gaps to supervisors and organizational leadership on a regular basis.

Assist with the intake process and initial assessments for new families entering the program to determine eligibility and immediate needs.

Follow up with families after referrals and service connections to confirm they received the help they needed and address any follow-up concerns.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent is required; an associate or bachelor's degree in social work, human services, or a related field is preferred.

At least one year of experience working directly with families, children, youth, or other vulnerable populations in a support or service capacity.

Strong verbal and written communication skills are necessary for interacting with diverse community members from various backgrounds and circumstances.

Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive personal information with professionalism and discretion at all times.

Comfort working in a fast-paced environment where managing multiple client cases simultaneously is a regular part of the daily workflow.

Must possess a valid driver's license and have access to reliable transportation for traveling within the Columbus, Kansas service area.

Willingness to work a flexible schedule that includes some evenings and weekends as needed for community events and client meetings.

A genuine display of empathy, patience, and cultural sensitivity when engaging with individuals and families from different backgrounds and life experiences.

Basic proficiency with computers for data entry, email correspondence, report writing, and general office tasks in a professional setting.

Must be willing and able to pass a background check as required by the organization before beginning work with clients.

Nice to have

Prior experience using case management software or client tracking systems within a social services or community support setting.

Previous work history in a community center, nonprofit organization, or government assistance program that served families and individuals.

Bilingual language skills, particularly Spanish, to better serve the diverse Columbus area families and improve communication and access.

Formal training or certification in areas such as trauma-informed care, mental health first aid, or community-based family advocacy methods.

Familiarity with Kansas state social service programs, eligibility requirements, and the referral processes used across local agencies.

Skills & tools

Case management and client record keeping for family support and advocacy programs

Community resource referral and coordination with partner agencies and local service providers

Active listening and conflict resolution techniques for productive client-facing conversations

Microsoft Office or Google Workspace for documentation, reporting, and internal communication

Basic data entry and reporting using organizational databases and spreadsheets

Working knowledge of local social service agencies, nonprofits, and available community programs

Practical notes

This full-time position is based in Columbus, Kansas, with occasional travel to nearby communities and partner locations as needed.

Employees should expect a standard work schedule that includes some flexibility for evening and weekend community events and meetings.

Bamboohr provides comprehensive onboarding and training to familiarize all new hires with the full range of available community resources and programs.

The floater aspect of the role means the position may involve working across multiple center locations within the broader service area.

Staff are expected to maintain a professional appearance and adhere to all organizational policies regarding client interaction and conduct.

Regular team meetings and case consultations are part of the weekly routine to ensure coordinated and effective family support.