Specialized Support Program – Support Specialist
It is the policy of Pathways Vermont that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, veteran status, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identification, or disability. Pathways Vermont is committed to a diverse workplace that reflects the communities we serve, and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people including people with military experience, individuals with disabilities, and people of color.
The Company: Pathways Vermont is a dynamic nonprofit agency which believes in transforming the lives of individuals experiencing mental health, substance abuse and other life challenges and permanently ending homelessness. Our Specialized Supports Program provides community-based support to a small group of individuals with unique needs in order to reduce or avoid institutionalization.
The Role: This position is responsible for spending time with clients in the community. This position will be engaging with individuals in activities they enjoy, and is responsible for completing periodic residence checks to assess for potential risks, noise, or other behavior that may cause harm or disruption.
Service Area: Washington County with possible once-weekly travel to Windham county
Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – schedule based on program needs
Supervised by: SSP Team Lead
Job Responsibilities:
- Spend time in recreational activities one-on-one with clients in the community and at their homes
- Engage in relationship building/rapport building with clients and provide service from a “Choice” perspective as well as client centered, harm reduction, and strengths based approaches.
- Provide one to one support in life skills, housing concerns, and health maintenance, including such tasks as medication support, housekeeping, and assisting to manage monies
- Perform periodic residence checks including perimeter sweeps, auditory and visual observations if necessary
- Assess for unusual or potentially harmful activity
- Recognize and report potential extreme state situations, develop strategies for support in such situations
- Document all residence checks and client-related interactions in electronic health record
- Support daily medication drops
- Contact and engage with local authorities (police and/or mental health crisis screeners) if deemed appropriate .
- Perform other related duties as required
Qualifications:
- Patience, creativity, flexibility, compassion, and sensitivity for marginalized populations
- Previous experience working with people with mental health challenges, histories of substance abuse and/or trauma, hospitalization, or incarceration
- Valid driver’s license, reliable personal vehicle available for work purposes and current automobile insurance.
- Ability to work within a Housing First, client centered, harm reduction framework
- Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of the team
- Experience with Housing First services a plus
- Lived experience with incarceration/homelessness/mental health challenges will be considered an asset
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the mission
Working Conditions/Physical Demands:
- Exposure to outside environmental conditions
- Frequent ambulation via uneven walking trails and roads
- Ability to ascend and descend stairs required
- Regular operation of a computer and other office machinery including typing.
- Regular short-distance walking around the exterior of the residence.
- Frequent talking and listening in participation of exchanging ideas through spoken word and occasional receipt and giving of detailed information through oral communication at normal speaking levels.
- Occasionally lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds, occasionally exerting up to 20 pounds of force and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently (opening doors at meeting places/businesses, etc.)
- The worker is required to have visual acuity to operate motor vehicles.
Compensation:
- 35-40 hour work week
- $18-$20/hour starting rate
- Full time employee
Benefits:
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- Long Term Disability/Life Insurance
- Paid Time Off (accrual of 210 hours per year to start)
- All-Staff days off
- 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- Longevity Recognition Rewards
To apply, send cover letter and resume to [email protected].
