Community Support Specialist

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.

Positions available in Boston, East Boston, and Chelsea.

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