Community Support Specialist Shelters

Community Support SpecialistShelters

JobClassification: Pay Rate: $19.00 p/hr Shift: PT Overnight Fri & Sat 10pm-6.00AM

Non-Exempt

PositionOverview

The Community Support Specialist (CSS) advances the Mission and Values of CHS by building fostering and inspiring excellence in the Agencys ability to:

• Serve as the leading resource for homelessness support information and best practices and protocols in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

• Provide exceptional and compassionate social support services.

• Integrate the voice of consumers with program quality initiatives and services.

• Collaborate with and act as a resource for other organizations providers and professionals locally and nationally.

• Embrace andexhibitthe highest ethical standards.

• Maximize andmonitorfiscal and other resources.

• Build an environment which is safe confidential and welcoming.

• Eliminatethe devastating impact of stigma through cultural awareness and advocacy.

As a direct care staff member the CSSprovides case management and supportive services under the direction of the Shelter Program CSS also provides case management andassistancegaining needed services such as referrals to programsassistingin applying for benefits/income and accessing other resources whichassistthem in living in permanent housing and ending their episode of CSS works independently toward these goals; however they are expected to consult with the Program Manager as needed.

KeyResponsibilities

• Support the programming in CHSShelters by working directly with participants enrolled in shelter.

• Empower individuals served in shelter by developing a nonjudgemental empathetic relationshipfocused on obtaining housing and reaching participant goals.

• Provide individual assessment of participant needs and conduct shelter program move-ins.

• Facilitatelocatingand securing housing by completing housing pathway assessment applications and referrals foridentifiedhousing pathways.

• Create goal plans with program participants and assist the individual in meeting their includesheavyemphasis onneed for income vital documents affordable and safe housing and other supportive services.

• Meet with shelter program participantsweekly to provide case management services focused on obtaining housing outside of the shelter.

• Advocate forappropriate benefitsand access toappropriate serviceswith external providers.

• Complete referrals and connect program participants to relevant community resources.

• Complete case notesand files andmaintainaccuratetimelydocumentationin accordance withregulations.

• Support harm reduction trauma-informed care person-centered and housing first principles.

• Assistindividuals in the shelter program with resource navigation phone calls andcompleting paperwork as needed.

• Develop a professional and supportive relationship with participants of the program whilemaintainingand modelingappropriate boundaries.

• Attend staff meetings and training courses as scheduled.

• Collaborate withmembers ofthe 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.

OrganizationalExpectations

• Seek out up-to-date information about CHSs programs and services as well as relevant local regional and national statistics that will inform and support our mission.

• Improve job knowledge byremainingaware of new regulations and best practices;participatingin educational opportunities; reading professional publications;maintainingpersonal networks; participating in professional organizations.

• Embrace and exemplify organizational standards and guiding principles for processes protocols andutilization.

• Commit to CHSs promise to sustain and extend diversity equity and inclusion.

• Contribute to efforts which build and reinforce CHSs distinctive effective and ethical practices.

KnowledgeSkillsandAbilities

ThroughacombinationofexperienceandeducationtheCommunity Support Specialistwillhave:

• Excellentcommunicationandinterpersonalskills.

• Exceptionalcustomerservicecommunication.

• Culturalcompetencebeingabletoworkeffectivelywithallbackgrounds.

• Experienceandabilitytode-escalatementalandbehavioralhealthcrisissituations

• Strongorganizationalphoneandcomputer skills.

• Aworkingknowledgeofthesocialservicesystemthroughlifeorjob-relatedexperience

• Awillingnesstoworkbothindependentlyandcollaboratively.

• Strongabilitytonavigatetheinternettofamiliarizeandaccessvariousresources

• Abilitytoworkandtravelindependently.

A high school diplomaor equivalent along with acombination of work education and life experiences as approved by the agency and funder isrequired. Act 34 Criminal Act 33 Child Abuse and FBI Fingerprint clearancesrequiredupon hire. Applicants mustpossesscurrent Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCM) and First Aid/CPR/AED certifications or be willing to obtain andmaintaincertifications upon for certifications or training in mental health and behavioral health education.

PositionPhysicalDemands

TheCSSwillbecalledupontoengageinphysicalactivityrelatedtogeneralofficeworkincluding the capacity to lift to15lbs and stand or sit for extended periods. Also theability towalk up and down steps andcompletephysical activity related to general household maintenance.

* company reserves the right to modify job duties or job descriptions at any time.