Community Support Specialist(Part-time/Temporary)

Be the change you wish to see in the world! Come join our team to empower children and families in our communities to transform their lives and develop to their full potential.

We are in search of candidates with knowledge about the community and local services!
A good communicator(text/email/phone), with a desire to work with a team,
who agrees that education(life-skills) is important for youth aging out of the state system(foster care/Juvenile services) to avoid homelessness.
A natural helper, with patience, situational awareness and awareness of different learning styles.

Pay Rate: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour depending on experience. 

Does this sound like a good fit for YOU?

Position Summary

The Community Support Specialist (CSS) works within a team to support transition-aged youth who live independently in the community. The CSS provides daily life skills directly to either parenting or non-parenting participants, ages 16-21, who are committed to DHS, DJS or both, in Maryland. The CSS is also responsible for documenting daily communication with program participants, to ensure safety of the youth and security of the apartments during the workday. The CSS works diligently with the team to assist the youth in obtaining employment or other income, prior age-out, for self-sufficiency.

Essential Responsibilities

1. Clinical and Support
   1. Professionally manage a work environment to include, being available to assist after hours staff with participant challenges as well as responsible maintenance of required job tools (e.g. computer and cell phone). 
   2. Act as Parent Trainer by providing primary support of parenting goals and feedback of participant progress.  
   3. Use Program policies and procedures manual as written. 
   4. Teach participants relevant life skills in their living environment on a consistent, weekly basis for up to one-hour a week, in an effort to meet their life skills outcome goals. 
   5. Administer and evaluate knowledge on the Daniel Memorial skills. assessment, to establish goals with participants to work towards self-sufficiency and independence. 
   6. Establish a professional rapport with the leasing offices to successfully problem-solve any complaints issued against the participants. 
   7. Orient the participants into the program, specifically focus on teaching life skills modules pertaining to community living, home management and financial stability.
   8. Distribute weekly participant stipends, monthly bus passes and monthly clothing stipends.  
   9. Complete monthly apartment inspections of the participants living space. 
   10. Complete work orders for in-house maintenance issues with participant apartments. 
   11. Complete post housing planning resources, procedures and documentation. 
   12. Manage and facilitate all financial responsibilities pertaining to the participant.
   13. Actively participate in monthly participant case plan meetings. 
   14. Complete assigned parts of participant individual treatment plans. 
   15. Provide crisis-intervention for situations requiring immediate attention. 
   16. Complete incident reports according to New Pathways policies and procedures. 
   17. Provide on-call backup as needed.
2. Quality Improvement
   1. Gathers program data, as needed, and assist in the preparation of data and/or summarizing information.
3. Communication
   1. Communicates any/all information pertaining to a youth, including prescheduled appointments, to program staff.
4. Documentation
   1. Document and enter records of participant’s living environment and goal achievement performance in software system (Apricot). 
   2. Completes written work that is legible, accurate and use professional language meet timelines for submitting paperwork established by the program and organization.
   3. Completes other required paperwork and documentation.
5. Professional Development
   1. Participates in workshops, conferences, seminars, etc., as appropriate to enhance skills.

Qualifications  

1. Education/Credentials/Licensure:
   1. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
   2. College coursework in Education Human Services, Psychology, Social Work or Sociology. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
   3. Requires a valid state driver’s license, safe driving record, and current auto insurance.
2. Experience:
   1. Requires two (2) years of experience working directly with participants in a community setting.
   2. Requires experience in crisis intervention with a specific focus in active listening and de-escalation.
3. Clearances:
   1. State Police
   2. FBI
   3. Child Abuse Clearances
   4. CPSL Mandated Reporter-Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse training per state regulation.

Working Conditions  

1. Physical Demands:  
   1. This position requires operating electronic/office equipment 25% of the day. Works in weather conditions about 50% of the day. Transports clients 50% of the day. Fingers, thumbs, hands, wrists, elbows, legs, feet, and upper torso are used 25% of the day. Employee must meet minimum requirements for hearing, speech, and vision. Walking is required 25% of the day. Standing occurs 25% of the day. Sitting happens 25% of the day. This function routinely lifts 25 pounds. The maximum lift is 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  
2. Mental Demands: 
   1. Continually needs to concentrate and has distractions that interfere.
   2. Frequently needs to make quick decisions and performs multiple tasks.
   3. Occasionally handles diversity of problems.  
3. Environmental Factors:  
   1. Environmental demands require this position in schools, homes, and the community.  
4. Working Hours:  
   1. Non-traditional schedule/ hours. Flexibility to meet children/ family and program needs.