Deaf Community Support Specialist

$38,480 - $41,600/Yr

Unclassified - Sioux Falls, SD

Full-time - Entry Level

Sioux Falls, SD

About the position

The Community Support Specialist provides essential community support services to individuals who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, and speech-impaired, including those with additional disabilities. This role focuses on delivering individualized support and education services, outreach, and community engagement to enhance the quality of life for these individuals.

Responsibilities

• Provides community support services such as independent living skills training, advocacy, communication assistance, socialization, recreational activities, and employment support.
• Provides technical support for iPad/iPhone devices distributed through the Telecommunications Equipment Distribution (TED) program.
• Maintains confidential service records within the organization's database and files to comply with programmatic requirements.
• Networks and collaborates with other service providers to benefit consumer service goals, including community presentations and outreach.
• Plans and coordinates joint educational and recreational activities to maintain consumers' community involvement and socialization skills.
• Devises outreach plans in the community and solicits feedback from community members on needs and solutions.
• Provides Deaf Mentoring/ASL Instruction to individuals, families, and support providers of deaf/hard of hearing individuals.
• Performs additional responsibilities/tasks as assigned by Co-Directors to support organizational priorities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human services or a related field, or a high school diploma with equivalent work experience.
• Fluency in American Sign Language and other communication strategies for non-signing hearing loss populations.
• Experience providing direct human services to deaf and hard of hearing consumers.
• Familiarity with deaf culture, mental health, and developmental disability services.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office software.
• Willingness to travel for business as needed.
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with community outreach and education services.
• Knowledge of local, state, and national resources for the deaf and hard of hearing population.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Paid training
• Vision insurance