Community Support Specialist - Shelters

Community Human Services Corporation; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Part time

Job summary

Community Human Services Corporation is seeking a Community Support Specialist—Shelters to provide direct, compassionate case management for shelter participants, helping them access housing opportunities and essential benefits. You will document services, coordinate referrals, and advocate for clients within a trauma-informed framework.

As a key member of the shelter team, you will collaborate with external partners, maintain confidential records, and support participants in moving toward

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with shelter programs or homeless services preferred.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct case management and supportive services in shelter programs.
• Assist with housing pathway assessments and referrals.
• Complete documentation and maintain accurate case notes.
• Collaborate with CHS shelter team and external partners.
• Support clients in applying for benefits and accessing resources.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Cultural competence

Crisis de-escalation

Organization

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Community Support Specialist—Shelters

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 Agency’s 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 Manager.The CSS also provides case management andassistancegaining needed services such as referrals to programs,assistingin applying for benefits/income, and accessing other resources whichassistthem in living in permanent housing and ending their episode of homelessness.The 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 goals.This 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 andmaintainaccurate,timelydocumentationin 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 CHS’s 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 CHS’s promise to sustain and extend diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Contribute to efforts which build and reinforce CHS’s distinctive, effective, and ethical practices.

Knowledge,Skills,andAbilities

Throughacombinationofexperienceandeducation,theCommunity Support Specialistwillhave:

• Excellentcommunicationandinterpersonalskills.

• Exceptionalcustomerservicecommunication.

• Culturalcompetence,beingabletoworkeffectivelywithallbackgrounds.

• Experienceandabilitytode-escalatementalandbehavioralhealthcrisissituations

• Strongorganizational,phone,andcomputer 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 hire.Preference for certifications or training in mental health and behavioral health education.

PositionPhysicalDemands

TheCSSwillbecalledupontoengageinphysicalactivityrelatedtogeneralofficework,including 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.

*Thisjobdescriptionisnotintobeall-inclusive.Itisnotanemploymentcontract.Our company reserves the right to modify job duties or job descriptions at any time.