Community Support Specialist

This position independently supervises the work of a group of adults with developmental disabilities. Responsibilities include the preparation, implementation and evaluation of specific skills of intellectual and developmentally disabled (I/DD) adults at the Scott Key Center (SKC). The Community Support Specialist is responsible for the care (to include personal hygiene needs), safety, supervision and wellbeing of all individuals in their care during all activities. This position must be willing to be flexible with job assignments to meet the specific needs of the program. Supervision is received from a Human Services Supervisor.

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee. 

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan 
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan

NOTE: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year. 

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

• Provide instruction and supervision in an integrated community support, day habilitation program or employment programs for adults with developmental disabilities
• Assist with personal care, hygiene needs to include toileting (to include helping on/off toilet and cleaning the person) and meal assistance (to include heating up, getting food out of container, and at times feeding the person, and cleanup of person after eating)
• Support individuals with work related tasks, to include behavior management and relationship building
• Transport adults to off-site work locations and/or to and from the Scott Key Center in a County vehicle throughout the state
• Develop individualized support plans, job related training programs and goals for participants
• Teach vocational skills and help the individual maintain and build on these skills in an integrated community setting 
• Provide crisis intervention, administer medications, and apply de-escalation techniques while making quick decisions in high-stress environments to ensure participant safety
• Provide community activities to include: development of specific activities that align with the person’s Individual plan and implementation of activity
• Participate in the Discovery Process, which includes job development prep assessments, employment and meaningful activities, in conjunction with the Job Development Specialist
• Compile and prepare daily progress notes, records and reports
• Participate in progress reviews
• Maintain daily records and time records 
• Participate in staff meetings and in-service training sessions
• Prepare a Positive Personal Profile (PPP) of workers with developmental disabilities to determine individual strengths and needs which factor into appropriate job placement
• Attend extra-curricular participant activities
• Assure activities meet the HCBS Final Rule setting
• Perform other related duties as required

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in human services, aging services, developmental or intellectual disability services, or case management
• Possession of a valid driver’s license 

• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and requirements regarding disability populations
• Knowledge disability populations, and issues that effect them
• Advanced knowledge of long-term care, social services and community resources available in Frederick County, along with Federal and State programs 
• Knowledge of eligibility and application requirements for entitlement programs for older adults 
• Knowledge and understanding of best/promising practices related to senior services, disability services, caregiver services and veteran services at local, state and national levels 
• Skills in program development with consideration for the needs and priorities of elderly persons, while working within the constraints of a fixed annual budget 
• Ability to effectively organize day-to-day assignments; determine priorities and complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision
• Ability to effectively access and utilize computerized systems and equipment (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail)
• Accurate math and clerical skills 

• Work experience in a day or residential program for intellectual and developmentally disabled (I/DD) adults 
• Direct Support Professional I, II, or III certification
• College degree

• Failure to meet or maintain the minimum qualifications or additional requirements may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination
• Ability to arrange own frequent travel to meetings, work locations, and events as needed, including occasional urgent or time sensitive situations
• Available for varied work hours as needed for meetings and other commitments
• This position is subject to random drug testing excluding marijuana
• In case of an emergency, available for duties in a shelter or Family Assistance Center or other duties to support County function
• May be scheduled to work during an emergency to support County operations.

KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include):