Community Support Specialist in New Bedford, Massachusetts at Community Resources For Justice, Inc.

Community Resources for Justice (CRJ) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing lives and strengthening communities through direct service, advocacy, and innovation. We operate across four core service lines:

• Community Strategies (CS): Supporting adults with developmental disabilities to live independently and thrive in their communities. Providing a range of top-quality residential and non-residential programs for men and women with intellectual or developmental disabilities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Our programs offer individual and group treatment and are geared toward promoting independence and improving life skills. Clients also receive support with job development, on-the-job coaching, and educational opportunities.
• Reentry Services (RS): Supporting people leaving incarceration to make positive, sustainable life transitions. We firmly believe that change is possible and attainable for all that we serve. With a strict focus on outcomes, the Reentry Services Division is committed to delivering contemporary and evidence-based services to the individuals in our care. Through delivering innovative programming and collaborating with community agencies, we provide hope and support to our clients as they make safe and successful transitions into their communities.
• Crime & Justice Institute (CJI): Driving bold, transformative improvements in adult and youth justice systems by working with working with local, state, and national criminal justice organizations to improve public safety and the delivery of justice. The CJI team brings decades of experience developing evidence-based, data-driven policies, managing complex processes with diverse stakeholders, and driving systems-level organizational change. Our energetic staff and network of consultants come from a variety of backgrounds.
• Family Reentry (FRE): At Family Reentry, we address the often-intertwining problems of behavioral health, domestic violence, reentry, recidivism, and risks to youth by offering evidence-based interventions to provide support and effect positive change. We offer a holistic approach by working to connect clients to basic needs and offering support to create change and increase stronger coping and life skills.

CRJ is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity in all its forms and encourage candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences to apply.

Ready to make a difference? Apply today and be part of the change!

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About This Position

CRJ wants you to join our growing team of compassionate and dependable Community Support Specialists to support the wonderful individuals we serve!
This is a full-time, 40-hrs/week, non-exempt position that will be working in our New Bedford, MA location.
This position is eligible for benefits and has a starting rate of $20/hr. ($2/hr. differential on weekends).

This is a fantastic opportunity to receive valuable training to not only start your career, but also to advance it.
CRJ offers opportunities for tremendous career advancement and professional development.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for ensuring resident accountability, guidance, and connections to community resources through various site checks and assisting residents to navigate in the community.
• Provides guidance to residents on community maps, public transportation, and walking routes to appointments.
• Facilitates community tours for new residents.
• Maintains contact with community programs with specific support services for women and elderly residents and maintains up-to-date log of available community resources.
• Researches and develops community resources and programs according to each individual residents' skills, interests, and experiences.
• Completes on-site employment checks on residents and conducts and documents random car searches for contraband.
• Enforce all program and agency rules fair and consistently. Document and report all incidents and report as required. Share information with other staff about assigned residents' progress as appropriate.
• Attends staff meetings, trainings, and provides selected monthly reports and ad hoc reports.

Job Qualifications:

• Associate's degree (AA/AS) preferred, or minimum of six months' relevant experience in corrections or human service setting.
• Experience working with elderly individuals, particularly those with early symptoms of Alzheimer's and related diseases and symptoms such as dementia.
• Knowledge of FBOP Statement of Work as it relates to residents whose checks must be made.
• Reliable transportation to drive to various parts of New England.
• Valid Driver's license and clean driving record.