Community Support Specialists assist adults with disabilities in achieving independence, employment, and meaningful community participation through person-centered strategies. They are responsible for providing personal care, maintaining accurate documentation, and ensuring the health, safety, and rights of the individuals they support.
Requirements summary
Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver's license, and access to a reliable vehicle. The role requires the ability to perform physical tasks such as lifting up to 50 pounds and transferring individuals, as well as obtaining necessary certifications like CPR and medication administration.
Community Support Specialists help adults with disabilities to work and experience full and meaningful participation and membership in their chosen communities. Support needs are individualized and may include support to work, volunteer, maintain or learn new skills, gain higher levels of independence, build strong community connections, learn self-advocacy skills, manage personal resources and generally participate in community life.
People of working age will be supported to continually explore and consider competitive employment People past working age who are no longer interested in pursuing work, may be supported in retirement activities.
Support occurs in a variety of community-based settings and may include both in-person or virtual supports. This position is responsible for working cooperatively with people and their teams to support a person’s employment and community participation.
Duties and Responsibilities
Use person-centered principles and strategies to support people in service delivery
Support people to develop and maintain relationships, including those that are natural and unpaid
Support people to expand their social roles and experiences
Safeguard and respect the confidentiality and privacy of people supported
Support people to learn and maintain community safety skills and activities of daily living
Establish open communication with families, community members, coworkers, team members and other providers etc. to ensure proper dissemination of information that is timely, respectful and to the benefit of the person
Report all incidents according to Ardmore’s Incident Reporting policy and procedures
Immediately report any instance of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or harm
Support people to maintain health and wellness
Embody the values of Ardmore through personal accountability, listening and respect
Provide personal care as needed in a way that maintains a person’s comfort, safety, and dignity
Recognize and support the rights of people to make informed decisions and exercise choice
Assess, communicate, and document changes in health status to supervisor in a timely manner
Maintain all appropriate written communication and documentation, including attendance, daily logs, person centered planning tools, behavioral data, and others required
Benefits
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Medical insurance
Paid holidays
Sick leave
Employee discounts
Short-term disability insurance
Employee assistance program
Pet insurance
Floating holidays
Legal insurance
Vacation leave
Voluntary long-term disability
Group life insurance
Voluntary life and AD&D insurance
403B retirement plan match
Support people to speak for themselves in all matters and offer assistance when needed
Use language that is respectful, sensitive and age appropriate when talking to or about people in services or about people in services
Actively participate in all training and professional development requirements and opportunities
Communicate effectively, professionally and in a timely manner with the person in services, co-workers, supervisor, employer, families, team members and other stakeholders
Demonstrate a strong understanding and dedication to Ardmore’s mission and Employment First philosophy
Perform all other duties as assigned that are necessary to fulfill the mission of Ardmore
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Must become knowledgeable and provide leadership related to Employment First and Person-Centered Thinking practices and principles.
High School diploma (or General Equivalency) required with some college experience preferred.
Must have a valid driver’s license and daily access to reliable personal transportation, as necessary, to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Must believe everyone can work.
Must be able understand and effectively support the physical, emotional and cognitive needs of the people that you work with.
Must become knowledgeable of digital document formats for program data keeping such as Cisms.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Must be confident and comfortable working in the field independently, and in a variety of different settings.
Must have excellent time management and customer service skills. Strong ability to think creatively and develop strong internal and external relationships and resources is required.
Knowledge of ASL strongly preferred.
Required Conditions of Employment
Must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
Must be able to bend, crouch, stoop and/or kneel
Must be able to push, assist and transfer the weight of an average adult in and out of a wheelchair
Must be able to stand for periods up to 3 hours in duration
Valid Driver's License
Must possess a good driving record
Must possess access to a reliable vehicle to transport people who Ardmore supports
Must meet eligibility for employment in the United States. (Provide appropriate I-9 documentation on first day of employment)
Must have a clean criminal history record
Must be able to pass a drug screening
Must be or willing to become: Medication Certified in MD and CPR/First Aid certified
Why you’ll love ardmore
We offer an exceptional benefits package including
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (CareFirst)
403B Retirement Plan Match - Mutual of America (Up to 6%)
Group Life Insurance - Guardian (up to $50,000)
Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
Short-Term Disability Insurance (Guardian)
Voluntary Long-Term Disability (Guardian)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Pet Insurance
Legal Insurance
Generous Vacation and Sick Leave (full-time and part-time eligibility)
10 Paid Holidays and 2 Floating Holidays
Employee Discounts (Groupon, Six Flags, Touro University, Hertz car rentals, AMC Theaters Dell computers, etc.)
Paid On-site Trainings!
We are ready for you to bring your
Energy and enthusiasm
Passion for helping others to live fulfilling lives
High level of commitment and initiative
Advocacy and customer services skills, and
Your positive "can do" attitude.
Ardmore Enterprises is an equal opportunity employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, military service obligations or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
We are looking for great staff and it can be you! Apply today!
