Community Support Specialist - Shelters

Key Responsibilities

• Support the programming in CHS Shelters by working directly with participants enrolled in shelter.
• Empower individuals served in shelter by developing a nonjudgemental, empathetic relationship focused on obtaining housing and reaching participant goals.
• Provide individual assessment of participant needs and conduct shelter program move-ins.
• Create goal plans with program participants and assist the individual in meeting their goals.
• This includes heavy emphasis on need for income, vital documents, affordable and safe housing, and other supportive services.
• Meet with shelter program participants weekly to provide case management services focused on obtaining housing outside of the shelter.
• Advocate for appropriate benefits and access to appropriate services with external providers.
• Complete referrals and connect program participants to relevant community resources.
• Complete case notes and files and maintain accurate, timely documentation in accordance with regulations.
• Support harm reduction, trauma-informed care, person-centered, and housing first principles.
• Aid individuals in the shelter program with resource navigation, phone calls, and completing paperwork as needed.
• Develop a professional and supportive relationship with participants of the program while maintaining and modeling appropriate boundaries.
• Attend staff meetings and training courses as scheduled.
• Collaborate with members of the CHS shelter team to support individuals served.
• Establish professional relationships with external homeless services staff, including outreach teams, services coordinators, and housing program teams to collaborate and serve program participants.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Organizational Expectations

• Sought out up-to-date information about CHS’s programs and services, as well as relevant local, regional, and national statistics that will inform and support our mission.
• Improved job knowledge by remaining aware of new regulations and best practices; participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Embraced and exemplified organizational standards and guiding principles for processes, protocols, and utilization.
• Committed to CHS’s promise to sustain and extend diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Contributed to efforts which build and reinforce CHS’s distinctive, effective, and ethical practices.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• 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.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent, along with a combination of work, education, and life experiences as approved by the agency and funder is required.
• 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.