Life Skills Support Staff

Life Skills Support Staff

The Life Skills Support Specialist must possess the skills and desire to coordinate available resources ensuring that participants have every opportunity to change their lives. He/she must provide direct support services. He/she must be able to network with other agencies and advocate for the participant for the necessary goods and services the participant needs in making a successful transition out of homelessness to secure more stable housing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Must demonstrate a passion for and be familiar with The Salvation Army's mission; must represent the ideals of The Salvation Army in every aspect of his/her work.
• Must be able to manage a variety of projects at any given time.
• Must be able to work in an environment that is busy and must be able to work in spite of interruptions and surrounding activities.
• The ability to maintain a self-motivated and self-directed schedule. The employee must demonstrate the ability to plan, organize, and coordinate the functions of his/her position.
• The ability to present oneself in a professional and appropriate manner along with the ability to maintain confidentiality regarding information and documentation.
• The ability to interact with coworkers and the public in a positive manner and the ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
• The employee works with sensitive and confidential material. This position requires a criminal history information check. Conviction of a crime will not automatically preclude appointment. The circumstances involved in the conviction will be considered.
• Must have a valid driver's license and a good driving record.
• Frequent phone and in-person contact with people from diverse backgrounds will occur. Must have the ability to: sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis, to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead, and to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Must regularly exercise discretion and judgment with his/her personal contacts and approach to each individual or family.
• The ability to command respect from residents and staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Screen, interview, and enroll participants in the transitional living program.
• Work one-on-one and in groups with participants in developing life skills, focusing on parenting skills when applicable and acclimating the participants to the rules and lifestyle of the program.
• Provide participants advocacy and act as a liaison between participants and the public and private service providers in the Rogue Valley.
• Establish community appropriate educational trainings to enhance the lives of the HOPE House participants.
• Aid participants with transportation to appointments and meetings when possible.
• Coordinate with fellow Life Skills Caseworkers and Operations Manager to develop groups, and materials to educate participants with respect to finances, recovery, general housekeeping, and parenting skills, etc.
• Monitor and supervise participants in the dining room during meals for the purpose of teaching participants appropriate parenting, and safety, skills with their children when applicable.
• Monitor, track and report on the status and progress of all participants.
• Monitor and document resident activities, work schedules, meeting slips, meal counts, etc.
• Maintain participant's files in an orderly manner updating case notes, records, and reports on a weekly basis.
• Maintain computer records as prescribed by The Salvation Army policy and directed by the Operations Manager.
• Maintain hard copy files as a back up to computer records.
• Complete exit information on participants at time of discharge.
• Conduct drug and alcohol testing as related to the drug and alcohol-free living environment policy.
• Answer the telephone, direct calls, and take messages in compliance with The Salvation Army policy.
• Be familiar with emergency policies and procedures and able to make the necessary contacts with the Fire Dept., Police Dept. and other emergency service agencies as needed.
• Attend staff and case management meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• The employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time operating a keyboard. Ability to stand and/or be physically active for up to two hours or more at a time. Must be able to walk, run, reach, and grasp with hands and arms, lift bend, and stoop. The employee may occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds or more. Some travel may be required. Must have a valid driver's license and a good driving record.

Working Conditions:

• Works in an office environment with frequent interruptions, multiple deadlines, and competing priorities. Frequent phone and in-person contact with people from diverse backgrounds. Work environment includes managing projects with conflicting requirements and tight deadlines. Requires working irregular hours (i.e., nights, weekends, and holidays).

Miscellaneous:

• The dress code is business casual. As this position works both in an office setting and with frequent community engagement, the employee should dress appropriately for their scheduled activities that day. The Salvation Army holds a high standard for professionalism, and the dress code for employees is no exception.
• The candidate chosen for this position will be required to pass a criminal history information check. Conviction of a crime will not automatically preclude employment. The circumstances involved in the conviction(s) will be considered.
• Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

Education and Work Experience:

• Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Work/Professional Experience: Two years' experience in Human Services working with a diverse population of individuals and families in crisis who may be under stress.

Supervisor: Operations Manager