Community Support Specialist - Second Avenue Commons

Community Support Specialist—Bridge Housing

Job Classification:
Non-Exempt Rate: $19.00 p/hr Shift: Sat-Sun 9am-7pm

Position Overview
The Community Support Specialist (CSS) at Bridge Housing advances the Mission and Values of Community Human Services (CHS) by providing case management and supportive services in a respectful manner to residents in the CHS Residential Programs.

The CSS is expected to work and communicate directly with other staff members supportively and cooperatively, complete required documentation on a weekly basis, maintain file upkeep and community building, manage crisis situations, and attend required training programs, as well as staff and community meetings. The CSS is cross trained on all residential programs and will work across all residential sites, as needed. CHS uses the Housing First and Harm Reduction service delivery models—assisting participants with housing as the immediate need without requirements to abstain from any harmful behavior prior to being housed.

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. Assist with applying for benefits and accessing public resources. Provide individuals with guidance regarding 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 at a frequency identified by the Program Manager.
• Cleaning the staff office, resident showers, common spaces, and turning 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.
• Collaborating 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.
• Assist with planning and coordinating in conjunction with participant’s case management team for participant enrollment in life skills workshops and training sessions on topics such as budgeting, meal planning, household management, conflict resolution, communication skills, and tenant rights and responsibilities.
• 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.
• The CSS will be working at a 24/7 residential facility and will be expected to ensure that all state mandated regulations for coverage are being met. Due to these regulations a CSS is not permitted to leave the residential site until their relief has arrived and must ensure the required ratio of one staff per shift is maintained at all times.
• Maintain the physical site by prompting residents to perform household duties and report any needed facility-related repairs.
• Ensure health and safety standards are met and maintained. Maintain an inviting and comfortable atmosphere in the office and common spaces.
• Attending necessary training and professional development sessions to enhance agency-wide knowledge. Attend a minimum of 15 hours per calendar year of training.
• Complete all job duties in accordance with the mission and values of CHS.
• Provide coverage at alternate Bridge Housing location as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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. Act 34 Criminal, Act 33 Child Abuse, and FBI Fingerprint clearances required upon hire. Applicants must possess current Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCM) and First Aid/CPR/AED certifications or be willing to obtain and maintain certifications 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.

*This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. It is not an employment contract. Our company reserves the right to modify job duties or job descriptions at any time.