Community Support Specialist

Position Summary:

The Community Support Specialist supports the Domestic Violence Director in providing persons seeking assistance with Transitional Housing, Rapid Re-Housing, and supportive services through the HUD Domestic Violence programs and acts as the assistant to the DV Director.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist clients with completion of Orders of Protection during scheduled office hours
• Assist clients participating in DV Transitional Program with creating goals and objectives with timelines for transition to permanent housing
• Assist with housing search, application, and move-in readiness for RRH clients reviewing lease, reviewing tenant responsibilities, meeting with landlords and discussing payment requirements
• Provide Case Management services by meeting with assisted clients a minimum of once per month or more dependent upon need of the client
• Maintain case file on each applicant with case notes and OSNIUM data entry
• Enforce program guidelines to ensure a safe and secure environment
• Provide stabilization support
• Assist participants as needed to obtain documents for verification of services
• Maintains updated information on housing availability in cooperation with DV Director
• Forms relationships with housing agencies, management companies and landlords
• Provide participants with referrals and linkages to needed community resources
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Education and Experience:

• The Community Support specialist will have a minimum of a High School Diploma with 5 years' experience working with persons in poverty and/or housing assistance, Bachelor's Degree with 2 years' experience. Bachelor Degree preferred
• Experience working with homeless and survivors of domestic abuse
• Data entry experience
• Proficient in documentation and case files
• Must have a valid driver's license, driver's insurance and pass all background checks and random drug screens

Skills and Knowledge:

• Demonstrates knowledge of the target population of the program.
• Ability to supervise clients in an assertive and pleasant manner
• Ability to role model appropriate personal hygiene and appearance
• Must be motivated to work with multi-cultural clients
• Ability to relate in a professional manner with and make connections with outside agencies for collaboration with OCYFS
• Practices excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Practices and models conflict resolution skills.
• Understands and model's cultural sensitivity to OCYFS's clients and families

Agency Requirements:

• Must be able to pass initial and random drug screening and maintain annual TB card
• Must have a current Arkansas Driver's license and insurable under OCYFS's commercial vehicle insurance policy for those whose job requires provision of transportation.
• Must receive child maltreatment clearance through the Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry.
• Must receive adult maltreatment clearance through Arkansas Protective Services-Adult Maltreatment Central Registry.
• Must receive Arkansas State Police criminal background clearance as mandated by Arkansas Department of Human Services, Minimum Licensing Standards for Child Welfare Agencies.
• Complete CPR/First aid and behavior management training when job requires working directly with clients in residence
• Must attend and complete all staff development trainings as required by grantors and agency
• Must participate in agency-wide PQI program
• Must maintain current licensing or certification for any position that requires such

OCYFS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Ouachita Children, Youth, and Family Services is a nationally accredited organization through the Council on Accreditation (COA).