Community Services Provider

Community Services Provider Program:
Community Services

Hours:

37.5 hours per week

Location:

In-person at 540 Columbia St., Hudson, NY

Wage Range: $20 per hour with Status:
Non-Exempt

With Full Benefit Package

Reports to:

Community Services Program Director

Under the supervision of the Director of Community Services, the person in this position will directly assist with the effective implementation of a range of services and activities. The Community Services Provider will assist individuals and families with low incomes, by assessing their needs, connecting them to services offered by Columbia Opportunities as well as other community agencies, aiming to alleviate poverty and improve quality of life.

Current services include advocacy and referrals, emergency food pantry, short term emergency financial assistance, Home Energy Assistance Program, permanent supportive housing, and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Weatherization Assistance Program.

• Degree in social work, human services, or a related field preferred
• Will consider replacing 1 year of formal education with 2 years of paid or volunteer work experience performing intake processes, community outreach, advocacy, eligibility determination.

• Ability and commitment to work with a diverse population
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Familiarity with Trauma Informed Care is very desirable
• Ability to deal objectively with sensitive family/household issues
• Great problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Knowledge of data collection, reporting and budgeting
• Knowledge of community resources
• Must maintain confidentiality regarding agency, customer & business information
• Proficient with or the ability to quickly learn intake, client information management systems, and similar computer applications
• Understanding of the causes and conditions of poverty and homelessness
• Working knowledge of MS Office 365 products including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Candidates who are bilingual in English and Spanish are preferred

• Intake and Assessment
  - Conducting initial interviews with potential customers to understand their needs, eligibility for programs, and develop personalized service plans
• Benefit Application Assistance – Help customers apply for and navigate government assistance programs like Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Public Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, housing vouchers, unemployment and Weatherization benefits
• Outreach and Community Engagement
  - Identifying individuals in need through community outreach efforts, participating in community events, and building relationships with local organizations
• Information & Referral
  - Provide information and make routine referrals to resources available from Columbia Opportunities, Inc. and other organizations within the community which help customers meet health, housing, food, and other critical needs.
• Resource Navigation
  - Researching and connecting customers to relevant community resources like job training programs, healthcare providers, legal services, and educational opportunities
• Advocacy
  - Representing customer's needs by advocating to government agencies, landlords, and other stakeholders to resolve issues and secure necessary support
• Financial Literacy Education/Informal Counseling
  - Providing budgeting guidance and financial literacy workshops to help clients manage their finances effectively
• Case Management - managing a small caseload of Permanent Supportive Housing customers, tracking their progress, providing ongoing support, and coordinating services with other agencies and rental property owners.
• Data Collection and Reporting
  - Maintaining accurate client records, documenting service delivery, and generating reports to meet program requirements

Licenses or certifications required for this position
- Valid NYS Driver's license - employment is contingent on the applicant's ability to be covered under COI's automobile insurance policy

Other Requirements
- Following a provisional offer of employment, all candidates are subject to a background check

Physical…