Community Support Specialist

Job Location

Lifsey Building - Career Solutions

Job Summary:

This position supports the mission of Goodwill by acting as a liaison between Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee - Mission Integration and external resources as needed for client success. This position will identify needed services and supports to help employees with disabilities or other barriers be productive in the job setting by coordinating support services. The Community Support Specialist will have an extensive working knowledge of support services available to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, life barriers, and/or disabilities that impact decision making. This position advocates for employees with disabilities and those who have barriers to employment.

The Community Support Specialist will promote a positive work environment that celebrates our vision, mission and core values of Teamwork, Respect, Uprightness and Empowerment in every action and interaction with team members, donors, customers, management and persons served.

Job Description

Essential Functions

• Works within compliance standards for Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee.
• Maintains employee confidentiality
• Partners with employees and relevant stakeholders to identify needed supports and direct services to meet goals for employment.
• Assists with the development, coordination, and facilitation of company-wide trainings related to employee support services, disability awareness, workplace inclusion, and other Mission Integration initiatives.
• Collaborates with Social Services community partners to meet needs of employees with disabilities or barriers to success.
• Identifies and responds appropriately to situations involving abuse, neglect, exploitation, self-harm, or other safety concerns, including coordination with Adult Protective Services, law enforcement, healthcare providers, or other appropriate agencies.
• Conducts thorough and objective on-site visits and observations with employees to assess their current situation to determine needs for external supports.
• Complete assessments of individual strengths and needs to develop, implement, and maintain employment of individuals with disabilities.
• Researches, develops, and maintains relationships and partnerships with community organizations and service providers to connect employees with supportive resources and services that promote employment success and stability.
• Maintains complete, accurate, and up-to-date employee records to effectively document case activity and support decisions.
• Assesses and refers employees for appropriate external services as needed.
• Coordinates and collaborates with all sectors of the organization.
• Monitors employee progress toward established goals: short term or ongoing
• Ability to Adapt to variable schedule based on organizational needs
• Attends work regularly and in a timely manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned or appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Skills

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services or related field.

Experience

• Three (3) years experience with intellectual and developmental disabilities and case management.
• Experience in human services resource collaboration.
• Training experience preferred.
• Crisis Navigation experience preferred.

Knowledge / Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Microsoft products.
• Excellent technology skills including the ability to learn new database and records keeping software.
• Ability to work within a team setting and be productive/self directed in an independent work environment.
• Able to effectively communicate and interact with persons of various backgrounds and experiences.
• Able to organize, establish and manage priorities attending community events, internal meetings and supporting staff as required.
• Must be able to pass a national background check ensuring no criminal history.
• Must not be identified as a perpetrator on the national sexual abuse or elderly abuse registries.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen. ​
• Reliable transportation to be able to travel throughout the Goodwill of Middle Tennessee community.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background check consistent with organizational policy and applicable law.

Certifications and Licenses

• A valid Driver's License is required.