Community Connections Specialist

About TNC Community

TNC Community is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to champion equity and inclusion for individuals with disabilities, inspiring lives of dignity, belonging, and joy. Founded in 1949, we are celebrating 75 years of providing customized services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. TNC has expertise in a variety of services, from around-the-clock residential care for individuals with severe IDD and complex medical conditions to community connections programs that help individuals get involved in their communities, develop practical skills, and prepare for, obtain, and succeed in employment. Before the end of 2024, we will open a Howdy Homemade Ice Cream franchise to create equitable jobs for individuals with IDD.

Our award-winning team at TNC Community has been honored with an Impact Award from Nonprofit Connect, Nonprofit Business of the Year by the Independence Economic Development Council, and consistently earns the highest level of CARF accreditation. We maintain a platinum status with GuideStar and have a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator. TNC Community is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all races, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, religions, ethnicities, and national origins. Global Arts Live is committed to creating a work environment that values respect, reliability, and inclusion.

II. POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Community Connections 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 CCS has a huge impact on the individuals we serve and the overall culture of TNC Community. The CCS gets to know the individuals who call TNC home and their Individualized Support Plans (ISPs) to inform selecting and planning meaningful community engagement activities that are tailored to each individual’s interests and goals. Further, the CCS builds relationships with residential teammates to collaborate on planning and logistics to ensure outings are carried out efficiently. Beyond internal relationships, the CCS will encourage staff documentation and collect stories and photos to be shared with external supporters through many channels, including social media, web news, newsletters, grant reports, and more.

Like all TNC Community Team members, the CCS 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 CCS 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. Identify community engagement activities for individuals receiving residential support through relationships and knowledge of the interests and goals outlined in their current Individualized Support Plan, including but not limited to: classes, hobbies, church and civic meetings, performances, and events, as well as opportunities to volunteer, work, try new things, and learn/develop skills. Emphasize selecting activities that broaden individuals’ social networks.

1. Collaborate with Programs Team (Program Managers, Qualified Developmental Disability Professionals, and Residential Support Supervisors) for input on planning and logistics.

1. Build relationships and liaison with Personal Support Attendants to
   1. provide encouragement for getting individuals into the community
   2. to ensure planned outings can be carried out efficiently and safely
   3. ensure they document outings in appropriate area on Therap and
      submit photos and story details to CCS

1. Collaborate with Development Team to
   1. manage and post social media content regularly on TNC Community channels
   2. provide photos and written content for marketing and communications
2. Collaborate with Community Connections Coordinators to provide relevant activities for inclusion in monthly activity newsletters for TNC homes.

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

1. Communicate regularly with Associate Executive Director and Development Director regarding individuals’/guardians’ satisfaction with activities.

1. 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. CCS 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.

1. Respond to activity-related issues at assigned sites.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. Complete/file forms, paperwork, and reports according to guidelines in a timely manner.

1. Assist in maintaining an orderly, safe, and hygienic environment for individuals’.

1. When on-site, assist house staff in fire/disaster drills or should actual disaster occur, participate in moving individuals to safety.

1. 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 CCS position unless doing so imposes undue hardship on organizational operations.

While performing the responsibilities of the CCS, 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. CCS 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.