Community Support Specialist

Start Corporation; Houma (LA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Disability and life insurance

Paid time off

13 paid holidays per year

403(b) retirement plan with employer 匹

Job summary

Start Corporation is seeking a Community Support Specialist in Houma, LA to provide community-based services and support to participants toward housing stability and self-sufficiency.

You will connect clients with resources, develop service plans, and assist with navigating housing solutions. This role requires strong communication, empathy, and knowledge of community services, with a focus on recovery and client‑centered goals.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Provides case management and supportive services (social skills, life skills, acquisition of benefits, community resource utilization, job search and placement, coping skills, money management) based on the case plan.
• Interviews clients and/or families and completes assessments and other clinical documentation.
• Completes case plans with clients and maintains required documentation and data entry.
• Maintains professional standards and ensures licensing, accreditation, or regulatory compliance of client files.
• Uses community resources to provide referrals and linkages for clients.
• Maintains a clear driving record and operates company vehicles to transport clients when needed.
• Attends weekly and/or monthly staff meetings and provides required reports.
• Supports landlord recruitment and retention and seeks new landlords for fair, affordable housing opportunities.

Skills

Active listening

Empathy

Recovery promotion

Goal planning

Risk identification

Social skills training

Behavioral health knowledge

Professional boundaries

Community resources

Referral processes

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, Psychology, or Counseling

Job description

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.