Community Specialist, Social Work

Community Specialist

Langdon and Anne Simons Senior Apartments, Seattle, WA, US

2 days ago
• Requisition

Unionized position represented by Local 8 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU). Starting wage: $30.49 per hour.

The Community Specialist (CS) supports Plymouth residents by working in a team environment, maintaining high quality service delivery based on Plymouth’s mission, cultural proficiency, harm reduction and trauma‑informed care, and the ‘housing first’ philosophy. The role educates new residents on building functions and expectations, supports the permanent supportive housing team, and fosters a safe, inclusive community. The CS collaborates with tenants, building staff, and partners to offer culturally relevant activities inside and outside the building to meet diverse tenant needs.

40‑hour work week, including weekday evenings, one weekend day, and select holiday mornings.

Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:30 pm

• Collaborate with tenants, building team, and behavioral health partners to identify community activities (social, health, life skills, educational, treatment, peer groups, field trips).
• Plan, schedule, and execute events; create activity calendar and outreach residents to participate.
• Welcome new residents, support orientation and onboarding, ensuring understanding of building expectations.
• Secure materials and supplies for events; maintain welcome basket inventory.
• Arrange or distribute food to tenants during events.
• Develop respectful, trusting relationships with tenants.
• Transport groups to external activities using company vehicles.
• Schedule community bus service or transportation for local shopping and trips.
• Mediate conflict and use de‑escalation techniques; intervene in crises and respond to emergencies.
• Assist with resident complaints; elevate to Residential Services Manager as needed.
• Distribute newsletters, brochures, and other materials, accommodating language, cultural, visual, and other accessibility needs.
• Provide support and oversight during events for volunteers and interns.
• Maintain a proactive presence to promote safety during non‑event hours.
• Seek tenant input, encourage leadership, and participate in staff meetings and committees.
• Practice cooperative teamwork and collaborate across departments.
• Respond to emergencies and initiate maintenance actions as necessary.
• Perform additional duties per Site Director.

• Education:
  
  High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience.
• Experience:
  
  Minimum two (2) years in human services, preferably with low‑income, diverse, homeless, and special‑needs clients.
• Licensure:
  Valid Washington State Driver License with fully insurable driving record.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
  Communicate and listen effectively, de‑escalate volatile situations, remain calm in emergencies, work independently and cooperatively, use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, Zoom), strong written and oral communication, organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to cultural proficiency and trauma‑informed care.

• Familiarity with trauma‑informed care and de‑escalation.
• Experience coordinating events.

Comprehensive benefits for full‑time employees, including medical, dental, vision, PTO, and 403(b) options. Additional benefits:
Employee Assistance Program, subsidized ORCA pass, and more.

Plymouth Housing is an equal‑opportunity employer. We recruit, hire, train, and promote employees based on merit and business needs, without regard to race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, weight, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, military status, political affiliation, or other factors protected by law.