Community Support Specialist - Metro

St. Louis Arc; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Time off

Student loan repayment assistance

Job summary

St. Louis Arc is seeking a Community Support Specialist to join our team. This full-time role (32.5 hours/week) supports adults with developmental disabilities, helping them live more independent and engaged lives in the community.

You will plan meaningful day activities, accompany participants to events, assist with personal care, and document progress. We value empathy, reliability, and teamwork in a dedicated non-profit setting.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of experience in customer service, education, medical or human services.
• High school diploma or equivalent; knowledge of best practices for supporting people with developmental disabilities.
• Must be 21+ years old and three years of driving experience.
• Reliable vehicle with valid driver’s license and auto insurance at time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Teach skills that increase adults’ independence, self-esteem, and participation out in the community.
• Assist one to four participants in planning a meaningful day that matches interests and goals.
• Engage in activities out in the community and at the Day Center.
• Transport individuals to and from activities in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
• Assist participants with personal care, including restroom, meals, and dressing.
• Maintain an understanding of participants’ Individual Support Plans and implementation practices.
• Complete community events reports, medication administration records, progress notes, and other required documentation according to agency and funder timelines.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Be Part of our Circle.

We empower people to live their best life. That is our mission—not only to those we serve, but to those we employ. This mutually shared sense of purpose drives our decisions and actions. Come as you are and achieve better lives as part of the St. Louis Arc family of individuals in this vital role.

This is a full-time (32.5 hours/week) Monday - Friday role. Community Support Specialists earn an hourly rate of $23/hour

What you will do:

• Teach skills that increase adults’ independence, self-esteem, and participation out in the community

• Assist one to four participants in planning a meaningful day that matches interests and goals.
• Engage in activities out in the community (e.g., local park, baseball game) and at the Day Center (e.g., music therapy, arts and crafts).
• Transport individuals to and from activities in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
• Assist participants with personal care, including restroom, meals, and dressing.
• Maintain an understanding of participants’ Individual Support Plans and implementation practices.
• Complete community events reports, medication administration records, progress notes, and other required documentation according to agency and funder timelines

What you can expect from us:

We'll celebrate and empower your unique gifts and contributions.

We’ll help you help others. You’ll be embraced and uplifted in our inclusive circle of support.

• You'll have a voice and the autonomy to put into action your ideas for doing your job better—and serve others better.
• Hands-on leadership that empowers team member innovation.
• Opportunities to learn and grow, plus benefits to support your personal and professional well-being—such as health insurance, retirement, and time off.
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance
  • Full-Time hourly direct care staff may be eligible for up to $250 per monthpaid directly totheir student loan vendor.

What we expect of you:

The flexible, respectful individual we see is an innovative and quick thinker with these qualifications:

Join others with your impeccable interpersonal skills, good intentions, and compassion to help people.

• At least 1 year of experience in customer service, education, medical or human services—preferably supporting individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
• High school diploma or equivalent experience, such as knowledge of best practices for supporting people with developmental disabilities.
• At least 21 years old and three years of driving experience.
• Reliable vehicle (4 seat belts and working heating/cooling) and valid driver’s license and auto insurance at time of hire.
• Ability to multitask and make decisions independently (e.g., emergency calls).
• Ability to complete CPR/FA, L1MA, and Mandt training —provided by St. Louis Arc at no cost.

About St. Louis Arc:

The St. Louis Arc is a non-profit organization that provides support and servicestomore than 4,500 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities each year. Known for the quality of our staff and culture, the St. Louis Arc was recently recognized as one of theTop 3BestPlacestoWorkin the “Big Companies” category by St. Louis Business Journal.