Community Support Specialist - Housing

Community Support Specialist—HAP

Job Classification:
Pay Rate: $19.00 p/hr Shift: Mon-Fri 9.00am - 4.30pm

Non-Exempt

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 and exhibit the highest ethical standards.
• Maximize and monitor fiscal and other resources.
• Build an environment which is safe, confidential, and welcoming.
• Eliminate the devastating impact of stigma through cultural awareness and advocacy.

As a direct care staff member, the CSS provides case management and supportive services under the direction of the HAP Program Manager. The goal of these programs is to assist participants in gaining needed services such as referrals to programs, assistance with applying for benefits and income, and accessing other resources which assist them 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.

• Provide individual assessment of participant needs.
• Develop a professional and supportive relationship with participants of the program while maintaining and modeling appropriate personal boundaries.
• Facilitate locating and securing safe and affordable housing for participants and build landlord connections in the community.
• Assist participants with developing greater independent living skills and provide tenancy education.
• Conduct home visits with participants in the community to ensure housing safety standards are being met and to provide case management services.
• Provide referral services to appropriate referral base, such as D&A, medical, MH, housing, vocational, educational, and family services—working to improve one's knowledge of CHS and other provider programs for the benefit of our participants.
• Advocate for appropriate benefits and access to appropriate services with external providers.
• Support participants in connecting and utilizing resources in their communities and building community linkages.
• Create goal plans with program participants and assist the individual in meeting their goals. This includes a heavy emphasis on the need for income, affordable and safe housing, and other supportive services.
• Submit check requests as needed for participants' rental subsidy.
• Complete case notes and files and maintain accurate, timely documentation in accordance with regulations.
• Attend staff meetings and training courses as scheduled.
• Communicate with CHS staff, other service providers, and landlord/building management as needed and appropriate regarding participant issues.
• Maintain open communication and work cooperatively with other CHS staff to establish and fulfill overall agency and program goals and objectives.
• Support harm reduction, trauma-informed care, person-centered, and housing first principles.

Organizational Expectations

• 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 by remaining aware of new regulations and best practices; participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Embrace and exemplify organizational standards and guiding principles for processes, protocols, and utilization.
• 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.

Through a combination of experience and education, the Community Support Specialist will have:

• A valid PA…