Community Support Specialist

Job Summary

This role is responsible for providing a continuum of consumer and community-based information & referral (I&R) and independent living (IL) services across Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston (DNWML) service areas. Please note this role is only 37.5 hours

The ideal candidate will have:

• Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; and learning and motivation assessment
• Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins

Responsibilities

• Provide IL oriented services including: time management, healthy relationships and boundary setting, how to build supportive social networks, cooking, travel, financial, etc.
• Assist consumers through coaching, peer and social support, peer counseling, and social work to live effectively with a disability
• Coordinate access to community resources required to achieve consumer IL goals and maintain social support
• Design, develop, implement, and manage social and leadership groups, programs, and other opportunities for and with consumers
• Provide Individual and Systems Advocacy, IL services, and/or assistance to parents, teachers, students, and/or designated schools on an as needed basis
• Provide Job Exploration, Job Readiness, and Search Assistance Services to individuals and groups
• Develop curriculum, coordinate and facilitate job readiness trainings and placement for youth with disabilities in a high school setting
• Coordination of access to community resources required to achieve consumer I&R goals
• Collaboration with others to develop community partnerships to create leadership and system advocacy and/or civic participation opportunities for consumers (including, but not limited to: outreach and youth advocacy efforts, community meetings, committees, and boards)
• Coordinate the use of a variety of techniques (such as Peer Support, Motivational Interviewing and Person-Centered Planning), assist the primary constituents of Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston (DNWML) to achieve their independent living and economic self-sufficiency goals
• Research affordable and accessible housing for consumers
• Establish and maintain relationships with local housing communities and landlords
• Act as liaison with other community agencies, including the institution and management of formal relationships
• Actively engaging in the community to meet mission and collaborate for consumers to reach their goals
• Actively participate in resource development activities (i.e. special events fundraising, grant development, volunteer recruitment)
• May be required to work in outdoor environments, which may occur in hot or cold temperatures or in wet conditions
• At times, may be required to conduct presentations
• Enhances the image of the DNWML in person, by telephone, and in verbal communications
• May be required to sit for extended periods of times
• Regular and routine attendance at expected location
• Complete by deadline, all reports, including but not limited to: timesheets, expense reports, monthly activity reports, and billings
• Travel within the regional service area of the DNWML
• All other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Associate’s Degree (required)
• Bachelor’s Degree (preferred)
• 3 - 5 years of experience in Social Work, Rehabilitation, Counseling, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, health related field, and/or educational history
• Personal experience with disability and/or knowledge of disability issues and the consumer/community-based IL philosophy

Perks/Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• Culture
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• Professional Development
• Collaborative Work Environment

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: From $35,000.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

DNWML recognizes the following paid holidays each year for full-time and part-time employees:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day
• Election Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• The Friday After Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• New Year’s Eve