Community Support Specialist - Wood Street Commons Community Engagement Center

Community Support Specialist

Wood Street Commons – Community Engagement Center

Job Classification:

Non-Exempt Rate: $19.00 p/hr

Position Overview

The Community Support Specialist at Wood Street Commons advances the Mission and Values of Community Human Services (CHS) by building, fostering, and inspiring excellence in the Agency’s ability to:

• Serve as the leading resource for homeless support, information, and best practices and protocols in Southwestern PA for the persons served
• Provide exceptional and compassionate social support services
• Integrate the voice of consumers with program quality initiatives and services
• Embrace and exhibit the highest ethical standards
• Build an environment which is safe, confidential, and welcoming
• Eliminate the devastating impact of stigma through cultural awareness and advocacy

The Community Support Specialist embodies and represents CHS guiding principles to multiple audiences, consumers, and constituents.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the programming related to CHS Wood Street Commons Community Engagement Center
• Empower individuals served at Community Engagement Center by developing a non-judgmental, empathetic relationship
• Find and share relevant community resources for program participants
• Complete enrollment into program, case notes, and maintain accurate, timely documentation
• Support harm reduction, trauma-informed care, person-centered, and housing first principles
• Coordinate drop offs, organization, and distribution of donations as needed.
• Assist with CHS WSC food pantry operations
• Assist individuals in Community Center with resource navigation, phone calls, and completing paperwork as needed.
• Develop a professional and therapeutic relationship with participants of the program while maintaining and modeling appropriate personal boundaries.
• Attend staff meetings and training courses as scheduled.
• Assist with running celebrations, groups, activities, and workshops.
• Collaborate with members of the WSC CHS team to support individuals served.
• Perform other duties as required.

Organizational Expectations

• Seek out up-to-date information about CHS’ programs and services, as well as relevant local, regional, and national statistics that will inform and support our mission.
• Improve 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.
• Embrace and exemplify organizational standards and guiding principles for processes, protocols, and utilization.
• Commit to CHS’ promise to sustain and extend diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Contribute to efforts which build and reinforce CHS’ distinctive, effective, and ethical practices.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Through a combination of experience and education, the Community Support Specialist for Wood Street Commons 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 or equivalent plus three years of experience in the social service field are required. Act 34 Criminal, Act 33 Child Abuse, and FBI Criminal clearances.

Position Physical Demands

The Community Support Specialist for Wood Street Commons will be called upon to engage in physical activity related to general office work, including the capacity to lift to 15lbs and stand or sit for extended periods. Also, the ability to walk up and down steps and physical activity related to cooking, cleaning, and 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.