Job Description Summary: 

The Community Support Specialist is a staff level person responsible for case management consisting of specific activities with a CSTAR client or on behalf of particular CSTAR client, in accordance with that individual’s rehabilitation plan to maximize the client’s adjustment and functioning within the community while also achieving sobriety and sustaining recovery. Community Support services are expected to promote client independence, self-sufficiency and use of the community resources beyond the program. They provide services to individuals impacted by a variety of behavioral health (addiction/substance use and mental health) issues, recognizing the individuals we serve often have experienced trauma that affects their development and adjustment. They demonstrate a warm and welcoming empathic, hopeful attitude, conveying a philosophy of dual recovery.  They will be trained in trauma-informed care and work to help provide services in an environment that is sensitive and responsive which will prevent victimization, abuse, or trauma as a result of the care received.

Education:

• A qualified addiction professional (QAP)
• A qualified mental health professional (QMHP) as defined above
• An individual with a bachelor’s degree in a human services field from a college or university included in the U.S. Department of Education’s database of accredited schools at http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation
• An individual with any four-year combination of higher education and qualifying experience
• An individual with any four-year degree and two years of qualifying experience

• An individual with an Associate of Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support degree as designated by the department.
• An individual with four years of qualifying experience

Work Experiences:

• Preferred work experience in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related field and has at least two years of full-time experience in providing community support services.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in initial assessment and service plan development for CSTAR individuals.
• Participate in developing a holistic treatment plan for individuals that address the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of the client.
• Conduct periodic reassessments to evaluate possible alterations to the Treatment plan, conditional on the client’s current behavioral functioning.
• Arrange and refer for services and resources for the client within the agency and in the community for necessary support.
• They participate in the inter-disciplinary treatment team to assure continuity and coordination of services delivery to the individual clients.
• The Community Support Specialist  (CSS) will provide experimental training in life skills and resources acquisition.
• They advocate on behalf of a client to obtain the services and the quality of service to which that client is entitled.
• The Community Support Specialist will also monitor services delivery and make necessary follow-up to ensure that the client is receiving appropriate therapy.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.  Other duties may be assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• Normal Office environment. 
• Typical physical demands include prolonged sitting, frequent standing, bending, stooping, and occasional lifting up to 25 pounds. 
• Requires normal range of hearing and manual dexterity sufficient to operate keyboard, telephone, photocopier, calculator, and other office equipment as needed. 
• Requires ability to work under stressful conditions and to work irregular hours. 
• TB test upon hire.