Community Support Specialist - Second Avenue Commons

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a professional and therapeutic relationship with residents.
• Maintain and model appropriate personal boundaries in accordance with CHS’s professionalism policy.
• Provide direct case management to residents regarding their goals, personal needs, and interests.
• Aid in applying for benefits and accessing public resources.
• Guide individuals on decision-making, long and short-term goal planning.
• Meet a minimum of weekly with residential caseloads to review goal plans and progress.
• Perform safety and security checks inside and outside of the facility.
• Clean the staff office, resident showers, common spaces, and turn over vacant rooms as needed.
• Distribute pre-packaged meals to residents in accordance with safe food handling and health and safety regulations.
• Follow communication protocol and address complaints, behavioral problems, etc. promptly.
• Collaborate with the participants case management team to develop individualized goal plans with the residents to set short-term and long-term goals for housing and employment and ensure goals are being met.
• Absorb and facilitate opportunities for residents to connect with local community resources, volunteer opportunities, educational programs, and employment services.
• Complete required daily written documentation in a timely manner.
• This includes incidents reports, progress notes, goal record sheets, and other case record forms.
• Ensure that weekly progress notes include the individual behaviors, activities, goal progress, any changes, daily interactions, needs, strengths, etc. to provide a thorough overview and on-going log.
• Provide individualized coaching and support to help residents develop essential life skills and increase self-sufficiency.
• Complete data entry of information into the agency database and any funder-specific site for reporting purposes on a timely basis.
• Understand and be responsible for performing all duties in accordance with the agency and program policies and procedures.
• Identify appropriate procedures for various situations.

Requirements

• Through a combination of experience and education, the Community Support Specialist will have: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Exceptional customer service communication. Cultural competence, being able to work effectively with all backgrounds. Experience and ability to de-escalate mental and behavioral health crisis situations Strong organizational, phone, and computer skills. A working knowledge of the social service system through life or job-related experience A willingness to work both independently and collaboratively. Strong ability to navigate the internet to familiarize and access various resources Ability to work and travel independently. A high school diploma plus two years’ work experience in case management or combination of work, education, and life experiences as approved by the agency and funder is required.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Act 34 Criminal, Act 33 Child Abuse, and FBI Fingerprint clearances required upon hire.
• Preference for certifications or training in mental health and behavioral health education.

Position Physical Demands

• The CSS will be called upon to engage in physical activity related to general office work, including the capacity to lift to 25lbs and stand or sit for extended periods. Also, the ability to walk up and down steps and complete physical activity related to general household maintenance.