Community Living Specialist (Direct Support Professional)

Reach for Resources, Inc.; Edina, Northern (MN, KY); Hybrid; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

Mileage reimbursement

Medical insurance (full-time)

Retirement plan with company matching

Short-term Disability

Long-term Disability

Casual dress

Wellness focus

Supportive supervisors

Job summary

Reach for Resources, Inc. is seeking a Community Living Specialist to support individuals with disabilities in homes and community settings across Hennepin County and surrounding areas.

Travel is required; mileage is reimbursed, and compensation includes $19/hour with full benefits for eligible full-time staff. In this role you’ll build independent living skills, coach families, and collaborate with a supportive team to create person-centered plans.

Qualifications

• Knowledge and skills to teach, coach, and promote independence in life skills.
• Ability to work with individuals in homes and community settings.
• Proven in delivering person-centered support and collaboration with teams.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Organizational skills

Independent work

Person-centered approach

Driver's license & safe driving

Education

Post-high school education or relevant experience

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Teams

SharePoint

Excel

Job description

Description

Pay: $19/hr +mileage reimbursement for eligible work-related travel + Benefits

Join Reach for Resources, Inc. as a Community Living Specialist and enjoy a fulfilling role where you can truly make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities. This position offers flexibility, a supportive work environment, and the opportunity to contribute to your community. Plus, you'll enjoy great benefits like generous PTO, medical insurance (for full-time employees), and a focus on your well-being. If you're looking for meaningful & rewarding work where you can see the impact of your efforts every day, we'd love to have you on our team!

Note: We are recruiting for a Community Living Specialist who is comfortable traveling to support individuals in their homes and community within Hennepin County and the surrounding area. Please note that this position will require sporadic visits to our home office in Edina, Minnesota. Applicants must be comfortable with the potential for travel to other areas of the Twin Cities as staffing needs require. Mileage is reimbursed.

Why you’ll love Reach:

• Meaningful one-on-one work.
• Opportunities for growth and advancement.
• Inclusive, mission-driven culture.
• Competitive benefits and mileage reimbursement.
• Work directly with people with a community-based schedule, not behind a desk.
• Variety in your workday with no two days exactly alike.
• No overnight shifts
• Full benefits package (full time)
• Make an impact beyond your role by participating in Wellness, Advocacy, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) committees.
• Inclusive and supportive workplace culture.
• Leadership who invest in your success.
• Bring your personality, creativity, and sense of humor to work

Summary of Job Description

The key goal of this position is to promote independence in life skills through teaching, coaching, modeling, encouraging, and support on behalf of Reach for Resources, Inc. It is expected that Independent Living Skills Specialists (also referred to as Community Living Specialists) at Reach will work with each person, the person’s family, and the person’s team to develop, put into practice, and periodically evaluate a Community Living Plan for each person. It is also expected that Community Living Specialists at Reach for Resources will represent the agency in a courteous and professional manner in all phases of the position.

See our work in action here: Reach Community Living: Live, Work, Play

Core Competencies

Successful Community Living Specialists are people who:

• Enjoy building meaningful relationships with others.
• Are comfortable working independently while staying connected with their team.
• Believe in empowering people to build their own skills rather than doing things for them.
• Are organized, manage their time well, and consistently meet deadlines and productivity goals.
• Are interested in a career in human services, social work, psychology, counseling, disability services, case management, or a related field.
• Take initiative, solve problems independently, and look for opportunities to improve services.
• Adapt well to change and enjoy working in a dynamic, community-based environment.
• Communicate professionally and respectfully with individuals, families, and team members.
• Use a person-centered approach by meeting people where they are and adapting support to each individual’s unique needs.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Environment: The majority of working hours are spent doing direct support and field work meetings. This position has limited in-office and remote work duties. Staff provide support to people with disabilities in their homes and throughout the community.
• Schedule: Working hours vary within the time frames of 8:00am – 8:30pm and are dependent on your assigned caseload needs. Staff are not expected to exceed a 40-hour work week. May include weekends, nights, and holidays as needed.
• Physical demands: Light lifting (under 20lbs), moving about office, program, community, or client locations, safely driving a motor vehicle, verbal communication, must be able to safely monitor the work environment and perform assigned duties, and must be able to effectively communicate and exchange information with employees, participants, clients, vendors, and members of the public using appropriate communication methods.

Additional Information

In addition to hourly pay, Reach for Resources offers excellent employee benefits which may include:

• Generous PTO package (15 days a year for F/T employees with increases each year)
• 13 floating holidays (for F/T employees – used at your discretion)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement savings plan with company matching
• Short-term Disability/Long-term Disability
• Enjoy a flexible, community-based schedule while helping individuals achieve their goals
• Mileage reimbursement
• Personable and fun co-workers
• Caring, supportive supervisors and open working culture
• A focus on wellness
• Plenty of chances to wear casual clothes
• Opportunities for professional growth, advocacy and advancement

Disclaimer

Reach for Resources, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reach for Resources, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Reach for Resources, Inc. Is committed to ensuring that applicants and employees with disabilities receive support. Applicants or employees must be able to meet the minimum qualifications of the position; reasonable accommodation may be provided if requested by the employee.

Requirements

• Knowledge customarily acquired through post-high school education or relevant experience in disability services, mental health, human services, psychology, education, social work, or a related field; relevant experience may substitute for formal education.
• Communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to support a diverse population of individuals in developing and maximizing independent living skills. Demonstrates a willingness to explore effective approaches, teach practical life skills, and proactively seek resources, guidance, and information to support individual needs and outcomes.
• The ability to?perform within a team framework?and operate and facilitate under an independent daily schedule with a defined set of policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• This position requires operating a motor vehicle as an essential function of the job. Employees must meet the organization's driver qualification requirements and maintain the legal authorization necessary to operate a motor vehicle for work purposes.
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Word, Outlook, Teams, Sharepoint and Excel).
• A genuine interest in helping others.
• A willingness to share your warm personality and sense of humor in a professional manner.
• Ability to balance compassion and professional boundaries.