Community Engagement Specialist

About the role

The Community Engagement Specialist is a full-time position that under the direction of the Program and Assistant Directors will work with clients to promote social and emotional wellbeing, prevent psychiatric hospitalizations, and provide self-directed and recovery-driven support services.

Responsibilities

• Be committed to and follow the YWCA of Charleston Employee Handbook as well as the Rules, Procedures, and Protocols governing the YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter Program.
• Work with people of all backgrounds and sensitivity to the problems of mental illness, substance use, and co-occurring or existing disorder(s).
• Facilitate successful transitions for individuals between psychiatric hospitals and communities.
• Ensure, through supportive and preventative services, that at-risk individuals can live securely in the community of their choice.
• Assess coping capabilities, potential support systems, and areas of needs.
• Provide face-to-face contact within 3 days of discharge from psychiatric hospitalization in order to assure that basic and personal needs are available or met.
• Advocate and provide as much support as needed and deemed appropriate to ensure quality service delivery.
• Communicate with Team Members, Assistant Director, and Program Director on the progress of assigned participants.
• Provide outreach in local communities served to promote the Community Engagement Program.
• Maintain a completed checklist of required activities in each case file and participate in bi-weekly case review.
• Maintain necessary data, accurate up-to-date records, and participants’ progress, and provide reports according to Program Director/grant requirements.
• Represent Community Engagement Program at public events, and committees and attend assigned training.
• Meet with assigned participants once a week and more if needed to assess the progress of their service plan.
• Coordinate transportation as needed and deemed appropriate.
• Support transfers and discharges from programs as directed.
• Provide after-hours and nontraditional hours of availability to meet the individual needs of those served.
• Aid Sojourner’s staff in times of emergencies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and one year experience in human service, social work, or counseling field. Experience may be substituted for degree requirement depending on relevancy to the position.
• Knowledge, experience, and understanding of the homeless population with mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorder.
• Ability to work with a diverse population from all backgrounds in a non-judgmental manner and sensitivity to the problem of homelessness.
• Ability to interact constructively and work in harmony with diverse community interests.
• General knowledge of community services and referral process to various government and/or community programs.
• General knowledge of social work skills and techniques.
• General knowledge and understanding of DHHR Homeless policy and HUD Tool Box on persons experiencing mental health, substance abuse, and/or homelessness to provide quality services to clients to decrease the likelihood of psychiatric hospitalization(s).

Qualifications

• Must pass a criminal background check.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Benefits

Equal opportunity is given to all applicants. The YWCA was built upon our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. We can continue to be successful when people are treated fairly and allowed to grow and achieve their potential. We take pride in treating people equally, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, blindness, sexual orientation, or any legally protected status.

Pay

Salary range: $40,000 - $45,000 per year.

Schedule

Full-time position, 40 hours per week.