Employment Opportunities
Live-In Manager, Young Adult Homeless Shelter
Noank Community Support Services is looking for a Manager will be responsible for ensuring the smooth running and supervision of shelter services on a day-to-day basis, 24/7; providing a supportive, structured, therapeutic, safe, and drug-free shelter; and providing access to comprehensive services to successfully transition clients into permanent and/or supportive housing. You are required to live at the shelter.
Responsibilities:
· Maintain a safe, supportive environment within the shelter.
· Monitor facility to maintain safety of clients and shelter space.
· Assist clients with shelter routines and support clients in following all shelter procedures.
· Help clients work through conflict with others living in the shelter.
· Help clients keep shelter clean, restock supplies, and complete shelter laundry.
· Provide a variety of services to clients, including transportation, assistance in the development of daily living skills, and maintenance of other personal needs.
· Assist in the teaching and development of life skills.
· Occasionally help clients prepare meals, following all food safety guidelines.
· Treat clients in a culturally sensitive manner.
· Communicate observations and interactions with clients to Shelter Case Manager.
· Adhere to Agency policy, procedures, and professional code of ethics.
· Model positive behavior and appropriate boundaries.
· Organization and cleaning of shelter.
· Report shelter maintenance needs to Executive Director.
· May assist Case Manager with intake or data entry.
Qualifications:
· Experience working with homeless population with sensitivity to differences in culture, religion, sexual orientation, race, age, and physical and mental illness.
· Knowledge of domestic violence, mental health, and substance abuse issues.
· Ability to use sound judgement during times of crisis.
· Pass a Criminal and DMV Check.
· Pass a TB test and drug test.
Supervisor, Short Term Assessment and Respite (STAR) Home
The Supervisor, under the direct supervision of the Program Director, oversees
the therapeutic milieu of the STAR Home residents. The Supervisor, in conjunction with the Program Director
and the Clinician, helps to maintain a safe and healthy environment, and shall see that the STAR Home operates
therapeutically, effectively, and efficiently. This is a full-time, 40-hour per week, salaried position that is exempt
from compensation regulations as specified in section 31-76i of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Responsibilities:
1. Under the supervision of the Program Director, attends to the therapeutic milieu.
2. Provides the Resident Advisors with supervision, direction, consultation, and support.
3. Provides a variety of services to residents, including transportation, assistance and instruction in hygiene,
assistance in the development of daily living skills, and maintenance of other personal needs.
4. Assists in the teaching and development of life skills to residents.
5. Ensures adequate care for the clothing, shelter (cleanliness of bedroom), and other basic needs of assigned
residents.
6. Fosters a stable and therapeutic environment by maintaining the Agency’s values and principles of traumainformed, gender-responsive, and culturally sensitive model of treatment.
7. Promotes a positive, communicative environment for residents’ families, guardians, and representatives.
8. Maintains appropriate therapeutic boundaries with clients and staff per Agency policy.
9. Attends weekly staff meetings and other pertinent meetings as designated by the Program Director.
10. Participates as requested in meetings concerning the status of residents and their treatment program;
provides information and incorporates feedback as appropriate.
11. Prepares and maintains records, files, and reports as required.
12. In collaboration with the Program Director, participates in and/or plans recreational activities both on and
off house property as assigned by the treatment team; this also includes motivation of residents; hobby
and skills instruction and support; and the nurturing of a positive, enthusiastic, and therapeutic play
environment.
13. Ability to participate in needed resident care such as: medication administration, CPR, and/or physical
intervention.
14. In collaboration with the Program Director, develops the staff schedule and ensures staff coverage for all
shifts; may be required to personally fill open shifts when there is not adequate staff coverage.
15. Assists in orienting and training new Resident Advisors as assigned.
16. Completes performance evaluations for Resident Advisors.
17. Oversight of petty cash as directed by the Program Director.
18. Follows all Agency policies and procedures.
19. Attends and participates in Agency training programs as assigned.
20. Presents as a positive representative of the Agency when involved with the community.
21. Assists in all areas of the department and Agency as appropriate and/or assigned.
Qualifications:
Bachelor level Social Worker, or related human services degree with experience working
with behaviorally challenging adolescent girls. An Associate’s Degree and 5 years of experience can be
substituted for the Bachelor’s Degree. Familiar with Trauma Theory, Female Development, Female–responsive
principles, and relational strength based approaches to care. Experience in administrative management and staff
supervision. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
The employee must have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and have a safe, road-worthy vehicle.
The employee shall ensure the Agency with proof of suitable automobile insurance. The employee is required to
be able to operate a personal computer with proficiency. The employee must pass a State Police check, a drug
screening exam, a DCF protective service background check, and a motor vehicle check.
Resident Advisor, Therapeutic Group Home
We are looking for a Resident Advisor to provide support and general supervision, oversees the therapeutic milieu and day-to-day functioning of our clients while representing the agency in a positive light. Resident advisors, with support from the clinical treatment team, maintain a safe and healthy therapeutic environment. This is an awake position that provides staff coverage during all shifts including holidays; twenty four hours a day seven days a week.
Responsibilities:
I. Support and supervise residents in the execution of their daily activity plans.
1. Supervise and assist residents with planning, shopping and preparation of nutritious meals.
2. Oversee residents’ grooming and personal hygiene (i.e. daily bathing, dental, nail, hair care and personal laundry)
3. Supervise and assist residents with daily housekeeping tasks.
4. Provide access to medical care (i.e. basic first aid, arranging appointments, transporting to medical facilities, assessing need and arranging for urgent or emergency care.)
5. Administer medication under the guidelines and regulations of the DCF Medication Administrations Policies.
6. Provide consistency and continuity of individual treatment programs for each resident.
7. Support residents’ educational plans and progress.
8. Support residents’ vocational goals and employment efforts.
9. Fosters a stable and therapeutic environment by maintaining the values and principles of the Therapeutic Group Home philosophy, Risking Connections, while focusing on the meaning of behavior and trauma histories of the residents.
10. Promotes a positive, communicative environment with all client providers and assists clients in maintaining appropriate contact.
11. Assist in implementing of plans for cultural and recreational activities, mentoring opportunities, community connections and other avenues designed to broaden the residents’ positive life experiences.
II. Maintain a safe, harm-free environment for all residents as follows:
1. Protects residents from aggressive behaviors of other residents by preventing physical fights, verbal abuse, sexual harassment, hazing, theft and borrowing of property.
2. Monitor the behavior of visitors and report any unauthorized people on the grounds of the residence.
3. Assure fire prevention measures are followed.
4. Document and report all incidents of risky or unsafe resident behavior (i.e. substance abuse, SIB, etc.)
5. Provide and maintain a consistent, structured, yet flexible framework for daily routines, house rules and policies.
6. Foster positive resident behaviors by modeling and teaching constructive communication and conflict resolution.
III. Transport residents to school, activities, medical and counseling appointments, recreational activities, bus and train terminals and shopping excursions.
IV. Lead resident discussion groups to convey instructions, share information, organize group activities and resolve conflicts.
V. Completes daily and monthly reports, critical incidents and assigned paperwork in an accurate and timely manner; in accordance with PNMI Standards.
VI. Attend weekly staff meeting and participates in Agency training programs as assigned by the Supervisor and/or the Program Director.
Qualifications:
An Associate’s Degree in a human service field and experience working with behaviorally challenged and at-risk adolescents. Must have the ability to relate to a variety of people and situations, to work with other staff members as part of a team, provide a positive role model and represent positive cultural and moral values. Familiar with Trauma Theory, Female Development, Female-Responsive principals, and relational strength based approaches to care. Good verbal and written communication skills.
The employee must present a current valid driver’s license and have available, use of a safe and roadworthy vehicle. The employee shall ensure the Agency has proof of suitable automobile insurance at all times.
Upon hire or shortly thereafter, the employee must acquire and present the following:
- A currently valid DCF certification to administer medications
- A currently valid certification in CPR
- A certificate of successful completion of a First Aid Course
- A certificate of completion in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)
- A certificate of completion in Risking Connections
The employee is required to be able to operate a personal computer with proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word. The applicant/employee must pass a State Police check, a drug screening exam, a DCF protective service background check and a motor vehicle check.
Driver for Student Transportation Vehicle
We are looking for drivers who are responsible for transporting CT Department of Children and Families (DCF) clients to and from school, authorized appointments, and family visits.
Responsibilities:
· Ensures that vehicles can be operated safely before driving and conducts pre-trip safety inspections.
· Transports passengers in a safe and lawful manner and obeys all traffic laws.
· Ensures all passengers use seat belts at all times.
· Maintains proper supervision and oversight of clients’ safety and well-being.
· Maintains promptness in keeping appointments and adhering to agreed upon schedules.
· Abides by NCSS’s client confidentiality policies and procedures.
· Reports any problems or concerns regarding a specific client or transportation request.
· Participates in all required trainings.
· Maintains a CT driver’s license with a minimum of a “V” endorsement.
· Maintains a CPR & First Aid certification.
Qualifications:
· 21+ years old
· Minimum of 3 years of driving experience
· Clean driving record
· Pass a criminal and DCF background check
· Pass a drug test
· Minimum of a CT DMV public passenger “V” or “S” endorsement
Recovery Assistant, Working for Integration Support and Empowerment (WISE)
The Recovery Assistant, under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of Community-Based Services, provides a flexible range of face-to-face supportive assistance in accordance with a Recovery Plan that enables a client with chronic mental illness to maintain a home/apartment, encourages the use of existing natural supports, and fosters involvement in social and community activities.
Responsibilities:
- Performs the following tasks if the participant (by reason of physical or psychiatric disability) is unable to perform them, or assists, or cues the participant to perform them:
a. Meal planning and preparation, shopping, housekeeping (e.g., changing linens, washing dishes, vacuuming/dusting, laundry, mending clothing repairs), basic household tasks (e.g., regulating home temperature, storing food appropriately, resolving issues about bill paying).
b. Cueing clients for dressing, personal grooming and hygiene needs.
c. Appropriate use of emergency medical services.
- Assists or cues the participant to perform or become engaged in:
a. Family, social, and recreational activities.
b. Appropriate use of natural community supports (e.g., social clubs, faith-based supports).
c. Appropriate use of routine medical/dental services.
d. Use of medications as prescribed, including self-administration of medications.
e. Healthy habits (e.g., healthy diet, exercise, and behaviors designed to alleviate stress).
f. Fulfillment of personal commitments, and adherence to scheduled appointments/meetings (e.g., clinical, vocational, educational, and judicial/court).
- Assists or cues the participant to avoid:
a. Risky behaviors (e.g., unprotected sex, smoking/excessive use of tobacco products, unsafe driving/driving without seatbelts, unsafe relationships, criminal activities).
b. Substance abuse.
c. Overspending.
d. Unnecessary conflicts.
- Engages in supportive and problem solving-oriented discussions with the participant.
- Establishes and maintains a helpful, supportive, companionship relationship with the participant that involves such activities as:
a. Escorting the participant to necessary medical, dental, or personal business appointments;
b. Reading to or for the participant;
c. Engaging in or discussing recreational, hobby, or sport-related activities;
- Other activities directed at reducing disability, restoring participant functioning and achieving independent participation in social, interpersonal, family, or community activities and full community re-integration and independence.
- Participates in waiver Recovery Plan development and quarterly Recovery Plan update meetings, if requested by the DMHAS Support Coordinator.
- Maintains excellent communication skills while building relationships with community providers that are involved with the client’s Recovery Plan.
- Completes and submits all required documentation in a timely manner.
- Completes 6 hours of continuing education training each year to maintain the Recovery Assistant Certification.
Qualifications:
This position requires employee to be at least 18 years old; possess a minimum of a high school diploma or GED; possess a valid Connecticut driver’s license; and have the use of a safe and road-worthy vehicle to assist clients with transportation. Experience working with clients with chronic mental illness and working with clients in-home preferred.
Hiring is contingent upon successfully passing a state police check, a drug screening exam, a physical exam including a PPD, and completing the Recovery Assistant training through the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS).
CHAP Case Manager
The CHAP Case Manager is responsible for coordinating services and monitoring the progress of clients admitted to our CHAP (Community Housing Assistance) Program.
Responsibilities:
1. Assist the Coordinator of Community Based Services with the intake process by interviewing prospective clients.
2. Assist client to locate an apartment within DCF established rent guidelines for the region.
3. Assist client to evaluate the apartment lease and conditions of occupancy.
4. Assist client to acquire furnishings and household goods.
5. Assist client to find and maintain part-time employment and enroll in a full-time education program.
6. Assist client to organize school and work schedule and transportation to same.
7. Provide ongoing support, consultation, and problem solving assistance to client(s) a minimum of 10 hours per week for the first month and approximately 5 hours per week thereafter for a period of time determined by DCF or until client reaches the age of 23 (usually one to two years).
8. Complete monthly reports to the DCF social workers.
9. Be available to assigned clients on an emergency or urgency basis. NCSS will provide you with a separate phone number for your personal cell phone.
10. Monitor clients’ attendance and performance at school and work on a regular basis.
11. Monitor and support client’s life skill progress and development in the following areas: education/vocation planning; emergency and safety skills; food management; health; housekeeping; housing; interpersonal skills; job seeking/maintenance skills; knowledge of community resources; legal issues; money management and consumer awareness; parenting issues; personal appearance and hygiene; and transportation.
12. Make periodic unannounced visits to the clients’ apartments to assess the clients’ living status and compliance with program expectations.
13. Performs other duties and responsibilities that may be requested by the Coordinator of Community Based Services.
Qualifications:
A degree in human services and a minimum of three years of experience working with at-risk youth and young adults ages 18 to 23. Familiarity with Case Management procedures and techniques. Ability to effectively work with DCF workers and to broker CHAP contracts on behalf of clients being served. Familiarity with and ability to use a personal computer. Must hold a valid driver’s license and have available for use at the job, a roadworthy automobile. Must provide Agency with proof of suitable automotive insurance. The employee must pass a state police background check, a drug screen exam, a DCF background check, and a motor vehicle check.
Hiring is contingent upon successfully passing a state police check, a drug screening exam, a physical exam including a PPD, and completing the Recovery Assistant training through the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS).