Community Support Specialist

$62,928 - $62,928/Yr

Unclassified - Portland, OR

Full-time - Mid Level

Portland, OR

About the position

The Community Support Specialist role involves providing relationship-based, client-centered services to youth and families involved with the Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare. This position focuses on case management, advocacy, and connecting families to community resources to ensure safety and stability, aiming to prevent children from entering the foster care system.

Responsibilities

• Carries a caseload of approximately 10 cases (Family Services).
• Develops service plans tailored to the unique needs of each youth or family.
• Understands Child Welfare expectations and creates collaborative service plans.
• Connects youth to appropriate community resources as needed.
• Participates in monthly staff meetings, individual supervisions, and required trainings.
• Responds to emails and all work-related communications in a timely manner.

Requirements

• Master's or Bachelor's Degree preferred, or relevant lived experience.
• Skill and capacity in case management, including meeting contract and program expectations.
• Experience working with youth and families, particularly those from marginalized communities.
• High integrity and ability to prioritize the needs of youth and families.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends based on client needs.
• Ability to respond to and manage crises involving youth and families.
• Competency in written and verbal communication.
• Proficiency in using cellphones, email, and basic word processing.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in juvenile justice, foster care, or youth residential services.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
• 403(b) retirement plan matched at 5%
• Short-term/long-term disability
• Life insurance policy
• 4 weeks Paid Time Off
• Mileage reimbursement ($.65/mile)