Community Specialist, Social Work

Overview

This is a unionized position represented by Local 8 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU). Starting wage is $29.60 an hour.

Job Summary The Community Specialist (CS) supports Plymouth residents by working in a team environment to maintain high quality service delivery based on Plymouth’s mission, cultural proficiency, harm reduction and trauma-informed care, and the housing first philosophy. The CS educates new residents on how the building functions and building expectations, and serves as part of an onsite permanent supportive housing (PSH) team that supports resident well-being, builds strong connections between tenants and staff, and fosters a sense of community, safety and home.

Specific tasks include collaborating with tenants, building staff and partners to offer regular culturally relevant activities inside and outside the building that meet a wide range of tenant needs and interests.

This position is generally assigned to a single Plymouth building but may be reassigned on a short or long-term basis based on business/service needs.

This position works a 40-hour work week and may require weekday evenings and one weekend day, along with willingness to work select holiday mornings.

Responsibilities, accountabilities, and competencies; may not include all duties of this job.

• In partnership with tenants, building team and behavioral health partners, identify community-building activities of interest to residents (social activities, health, life skills, educational opportunities, treatment, peer groups, field trips, etc.). Responsible for the activities calendar, including planning and executing events. Actively outreaches residents to participate.
• Welcome new residents to a safe and inclusive environment and support orientation/onboarding to acclimate residents to their new home, understand building expectations, and form relationships with staff and residents.
• Identify and secure materials for events; maintain a supply of “welcome baskets” for new tenants.
• Arrange for and/or distribute food to tenants during events.
• Create respectful and trusting relationships with tenants.
• Transport groups of tenants to external activities using company vehicles.
• Create schedules for community bus service or transportation, including local shopping or destination trips.
• Mediates conflicts using de-escalation and other techniques; intervenes in crises as necessary.
• Assist with resident complaints and concerns, escalating to the Residential Services Manager as needed.
• Distribute newsletters, brochures, and other materials, ensuring accommodations for language differences, cultural differences, visual impairments, and other required accommodations.

• Plan and execute events and meetings; identify resources, recruit and manage support needed to facilitate community events (coordinate with building staff, partners, volunteers, etc.).
• Provide support, guidance, and oversight during community events for all volunteers and interns.
• Maintain a proactive presence during non-event hours to promote safety and community.
• Seek tenant input and encourage tenant leadership.
• Participate in staff/supervisory and team meetings.
• Participate in Plymouth committees and work groups as appropriate.
• Promote teamwork and cooperative work approach across Plymouth departments to uphold mission and values.
• Respond to emergencies and initiate emergency maintenance actions as needed.
• Serve and provide additional support to the building team as needed.

• Coordinate with internal departments on calendared activities, scheduling meetings, and collecting client information.
• Ensure events involving residents and building operations are recorded accurately in daily logs and that shift information is read at the start of each shift; maintain or assist with program documentation (e.g., Incident Reports, tenant satisfaction surveys).

• Performs other duties as assigned by the Site Director.

(Any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience.)

Education:
High School…