Community Connections Resource Specialist

POSITION TITLE: Community Connections Resource Specialist (CCRS)

DEPARTMENT: Administrative

REPORTS TO: Community Connections Program Manager

POSITION STATUS: Exempt

II. POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Community Connections Resource Specialist is part of TNC’s Community Connection Team, which ensures all daily activities are planned/carried out to support the safety, health, and personal interests of the individuals TNC Community supports. The CCRS plays a vital role in a specially funded program designed to connect individuals with Intellectual Disabilities to valuable community resources.

Like all TNC Community Team members, the CCRS is an advocate for the individuals TNC supports. We champion equity and inclusion for individuals with disabilities, inspiring lives of dignity, belonging, and joy. The CCRS is also a mandatory reporter of all suspected/alleged abuse and neglect in accordance with TNC policies.

TNC Community is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

III. PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Receive and process intake referrals for the Jackson County Outreach Program. Review referrals to determine eligibility for program services. Respond to inquiries from Support Coordinators and other stakeholders regarding the Outreach Program. Provide detailed program information to new individuals, families, Support Coordinators, or advocates.

2. Complete intake forms for new individuals entering the program. Track the progress of individual goals and program outcomes. Facilitate program discharge upon completion.

3.Conduct follow-ups with individuals who have exited the program to ensure ongoing success. Send out vacant notifications to fill openings in the program.

4.Provide transportation assistance for individuals to access community resources. Support individuals in obtaining vital documents such as birth certificates, completing applications, and more. Drive the company car while assisting individuals in their community resource needs.

5. Take on a caseload if assigned staff are unavailable. Assist individuals in the community, including driving the company car as needed. Support document tracking and billing activities. Attend regular staff meetings.

6.Collaborate with Program Managers to develop and regularly extract Therap reports on community integration activities. Submit monthly quantitative and qualitative data to Development Director.

7. Maintain individual and program confidentiality and uphold individuals’ rights. Do not discuss identifiable individual information about supported individuals or agency personnel in the presence of others.

IV. HEALTH AND SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Once a community outing is planned, notify staff through electronic documentation system (enter a T-log in Therap) with details.

V. PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILITY/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. CCRS work schedule is Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., allowing flexibility to accommodate relationship formation and participation in community outings as necessary.
2. Respond to activity-related issues at assigned sites.
3. No supervisory responsibilities.

VI. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Submit receipts for program purchase(s) to Finance Team by last day of month in which purchases are made.
2. Submit activity-related bills/invoices to Finance Team for processing.

VII. FACILITY/TRANSPORTATION RESPONSIBILITY/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Coordinate with managers and residential staff at applicable sites to schedule transportation for individuals’ activities.

VIII. OTHER RESPONSIBILTIES:

1. Attend regularly scheduled Programs Team meetings, sub-team meetings, all-staff meetings, and in-service trainings/education.
2. Complete/file forms, paperwork, and reports according to guidelines in a timely manner.
3. Assist in maintaining an orderly, safe, and hygienic environment for individuals’.
4. When on-site, assist house staff in fire/disaster drills or should actual disaster occur, participate in moving individuals to safety.
5. Other related duties as assigned.

IX. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be at least 18 years of age

Bachelors Degree or higher, or equivalent experience

High School Diploma or GED required

Minimum 2 years of experience in social services

Experience planning/facilitating community activities

Experience working with IDD individuals

X. COMMUNICATIONS:

The position requires sufficient written, verbal, and nonverbal communication skills to effectively engage with individuals, staff, volunteers, community members, and administration.

XI. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to clear background checks and drug/alcohol screenings as required. TNC Community's drug and alcohol testing programs comply with the Federal Transit Administration regulation 40 CFR Part 655.

Current CPR/First Aid certification
Maintain current Abuse/Neglect Training

Completion of Gentle Teaching or Equivalent

Must participate in all mandatory trainings and re-certifications as required

Ability to drive motorized vehicles

Valid class E Missouri driver’s license or equivalent

Must have own transportation and proof of insurance

Ability to lift 75 pounds (weight may vary)

Flexible schedule

Familiar with and able to use a computer

Adept with Microsoft Office software: Outlook, Word, Excel

XII. PHYSICAL EXPECTATIONS:

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the Community Connections Specialist position. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform described essential functions of the CCRS position unless doing so imposes undue hardship on organizational operations.

While performing the responsibilities of the CCRS, the employee is required to talk and hear. Employee is often required to sit and use his/her hands and fingers, to handle or feel, drive, type, and file. Employee is often required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or

balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. CCRS lifts and moves items and/or persons up
to 75 pounds and greater weights using a lift devise or two-person lift/transfer. Vision abilities required by this position include close vision.