Community Support Specialist

About Start Corporation

Start Corporation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1984. Our Mission is to promote opportunities, which enhance the self-sufficiency of people to empower them to live and function independently.

Job Description

The Community Support Specialist will provide community-based services to participants to meet a variety of needs. They will assist clients with housing problems, connect clients with resources, and provide supportive services to help them reach their goals. 

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, Psychology, or Counseling
• Be over 18 years of age
• Possess a valid driver's license
• Personal experience of homelessness preferred

Core Competencies 

• Communicates respectfully and effectively and establishes professional relationships through active listening and demonstration of empathy and positive regard.
• Promotes recovery, independence, and personal choice for participants.
• Assists clients in identifying strengths, needs, and realistic goals to develop a service plan.
• Accurately identifies risk and responds appropriately.
• Effectively teaches social skills and household management skills.
• Demonstrates knowledge of behavioral health symptoms, interventions, and impact.
• Maintains professional boundaries and operates within agency / ethical guidelines.
• Knowledge of agency and community resources and referral processes.

Job Duties / Skills Required 

• Maintains professional and ethical standards of conduct at all times.
• Promotes recovery, personal choice, and respect. 
• Provides case management and supportive services (social skills, life skills, acquisition of benefits, community resource utilization, job search and placement, coping skills, money management ) for clients and arranges for the provision of services from community resources based on the case plan.
• Participates in setting case plan goals/objectives.
• Completes case plans with clients.
• Interviews clients and/or families and completes assessments and other clinical documentation.
• Completes case logs and required documentation on all client services including data entry into required data systems.
• Ensures that clinical documentation and client files meet all applicable standards for licensing, accreditation, or other regulatory agencies.
• Performs regular case maintenance activities including documenting actions, making narrative entries, preparing necessary reports and/or social summaries, etc.
• Consults with facility personnel and administrative field personnel; collects and analyzes data to identify needs for the assigned special services program within the particular service area.
• Effectively utilizes community resources by providing appropriate referrals and linkages.
• Maintains a clear driving record in order to be able to drive company vehicles to provide transportation to clients.
• Attends weekly and/or monthly staff meetings.
• Provides and submits at least 25 hours (100 units) of reimbursable services per week.
• Supports and encourages landlord recruitment and retention.
• Actively seeks new landlords to provide fair and affordable housing opportunities to clients.

Benefits include: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; disability and life insurance; paid time off; 13 paid holidays per year for regular full-time employees; and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.