Community Support Specialist

At Heartland Family Service, we are committed to building a culture that is trauma informed and values and celebrates diversity and inclusion. We believe this allows for better service delivery and innovation, as it encourages our employees to bring various experiences and uniqueness to the workplace.

Trauma Informed Care is an approach to engaging people with histories of trauma that recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role that trauma has played in their lives. Trauma Informed Care also acknowledges the effects of working with trauma survivors on our workforce and seeks to build collaborative and supportive working environments and relationships.

If you believe in our mission of creating healthy families and communities, and like a fast pace, collaborative and team-oriented environment, then Heartland Family Service is the agency for you.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position will work in the Council Bluffs, Iowa, Community Support program, based out of the Peer Center. The Community Support program provides case management and supportive services to adults with a severe and persistent mental illness in the Council Bluffs community. Community Support services address mental health symptoms and functional disabilities that can create barriers for community integration and stability. The primary function of the Community Support Specialist is to create relationships with the population that provide a balance between support of the mental illness and allow for maximum individual independence.

Intensive case management responsibilities begin at this level. Educational requirements are very specific. Decision making, problem solving, and highly developed interpersonal skills are critical. This position requires a high level of social work skills, practice and knowledge.

Compensation range: between $16.31 and $19.44 per hour (wage is determined by years of experience)

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Click to see benefits and company perks

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 2 years’ experience
• Valid Driver’s License and acceptable driving record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with severe and persistent mental illness
• Experience working with area homeless service providers
• Proficiency with MS Word & Excel

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Builds rapport with clients in order to provide a supportive, recovery focused relationship.
• Assists the clients in identification of strengths, needs and goals. Develops an individualized case plan in cooperation with the client. Monitor and evaluate program participant progress.
• Monitoring of mental health symptoms, functioning, and reality orientation.
• Makes referrals to internal and external programs/services to meet identified client needs.
• Ensures effective communication and coordination with service providers and assists client in advocating with service providers as needed.
• Assists client with scheduling and attending appointments with service providers, medical providers, and mental health providers. Ensures clients obtain prescribed medications.
• Provides Crisis Intervention and planning and problem-solving assistance to clients to assist in accessing services.
• Responsible for verifying and documenting the eligibility of applicants and maintaining comprehensive, accurate service records for all clients.
• Travel is required for both traveling to community-based locations and providing some transportation, included use of personal vehicle.
• Ensure required information is collected, entered into prescribed formats, and reported in a timely manner – as outlined by funding and internal reporting guidelines.
• Demonstrates knowledge of current community and HFS programs and resources to meet client needs.
• Work is completed in homes, homeless shelters, office space, community spaces, and other non-traditional settings. Ensure safety and security measures for community-based services are followed.
• Is able to work both independently, with little supervision, and as a part of a team.
• Utilizes Trauma Informed Care, Person Centered and culturally competent principles in providing services to all clients.
• Able to establish regularity and dependability in scheduling all appointments and accuracy in reports and statistics.
• Displays a courteous and caring attitude at all times to the clientele, volunteers, and visitors of the Agency.
• Abides by all specific program and Agency procedures, policies, and requirements.
• Cooperates and collaborates with program area staff, volunteers, and other Agency staff.
• Is dependable and punctual regarding scheduling and attendance
• Able to evaluate program services and make recommendations.
• Develops personal and program related skills through participation in internal and external training opportunities including printed material and audio and/or visual media.
• Is able to develop positive working relationships with clients, referral sources, service agencies, landlords, and others encountered in the course of work.
• Creates, maintains, and shares as appropriate a dynamic self-care plan.
• Strives to make connections between the agency and the larger community whenever possible in order to contribute to the agency’s ongoing fundraising and friend-raising efforts.
• Essential functions of this job is to be performed on company physical work site.
• Performs other program related duties as assigned.

*DENOTES ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS