Community Support Specialist - Shelters

communityhumanservices; Oakland (PA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Community Human Services seeks a Community Support Specialist for CHS Shelters to provide case management and supportive services to shelter participants under the Shelter Program Manager. The role emphasizes compassionate, trauma-informed care and housing-focused outcomes.

You will coordinate referrals, assist with benefits applications, document thoroughly, and collaborate with external homeless services teams to help participants move toward permanent housing.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Life/work experience considered.
• Act 34/Act 33/ FBI clearances required on hire; CCM and First Aid/CPR/AED certifications preferred or willing to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and case management to shelter participants.
• Assist with referrals to programs and benefits; support housing pathways and move-ins.
• Complete case notes and maintain documentation following regulations.
• Meet regularly with participants to focus on housing goals.
• Advocate for benefits and access to services with external providers.
• Coordinate with shelter team and external homeless services staff.

Skills

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Cultural competence

De-escalation & crisis response

Organizational skills

Independent & collaborative work

Resource navigation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Phone skills

Computer skills

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.