North Suffolk is looking for Community Support Specialists to join our team! As a Community Support Specialist you will participate in the engagement, assessment, and treatment planning process for persons served. You will work with a dedicated team of staff to address the needs and goals of the persons served in both out in the community and in group living environments. The team provides person-centered interventions and treatment plans in the areas of housing, risk mitigation, transportation, skill-building, money management, and medication administration to support persons served to live a self-directed life.
Monday - Friday 40 hours/week
What you'll do:
- Engage people and partner with them to improve their health and wellness, achieve symptom stabilization and self-management, and develop and/or restore skills impacted by mental illness.
- Gather information about community agencies to assist in the provision of services.
- Provide side-by-side support and coaching to help people socialize.
- Organize and lead individual and group social and recreational activities.
- Carry out the assigned interventions and action steps of the treatment plan, through the provision of direct support and rehabilitation services (in conjunction with professional staff).
- Collaborate with Housing Coordinators to help each person in finding a safe and affordable place to live – apartment hunting, finding a roommate, landlord negotiations, cleaning, furnishing and decorating.
- Participate in medication administration per MAP and DMH policies and protocol.
What you’ll need:
- Education:
- High School Diploma/GED equivalent required.
- Bachelors Degree highly preferred
- Experience:
- In lieu of college degree, at least one year experience with population that has severe and persistent mental illness and/or substance use disorder
- Bilingual Spanish and American Sign Language skills desired but not required - please indicate language capability in application
- Skills:
- Must be MAP and CPR/First Aid certified within five months of hire (training provided)
- Massachusetts Drivers License required
Competitive & Comprehensive Benefits
- Paid Time Off – Two weeks’ Vacation per year (three weeks after 1 year of service), 12 Sick Days per year, and 11 Paid Holidays per year
- Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
- Health & Dental Insurance, with generous employer contribution
- Employer Paid Life Insurance
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan with employer matching
- Voluntary Short and Long Term Disability Insurance
- Medical & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Access to Credit Union Banking
- Access to State Tuition Remission Program (Worksite Specific)
- Employee Referral Bonus Program
- Discounted Movie Tickets
- Comprehensive Training Program
- Internal Advancement Opportunities
Skills Required
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent
- At least one year of experience working with people with severe and persistent mental illness and/or substance use disorder, in lieu of a college degree
- MAP certification within five months of hire; training provided
- CPR and First Aid certification within five months of hire; training provided
- Massachusetts driver's license
- Bachelor's degree
- Bilingual Spanish and American Sign Language skills
What We Do
Since 1959, North Suffolk Community Services has been on a mission to provide mental health services to individuals, and especially children, in relatively under-served surrounding communities. Today, our staff of 900+ assists families, children and individuals in 4 clinics, 38 residences and 74 programs. North Suffolk Community Services touches the lives of more than 10,000 people a year. To learn more about North Suffolk's services visit, http://northsuffolk.org https://www.facebook.com/NorthSuffolkOrg
