Community Support Associate Jobs in Gaithersburg, MD

JOB SUMMARY:

The Community Support Professional (CSP) reports directly to a Community Support Manager and is responsible for providing direct support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in large and small groups in community-based settings. The CSP is also responsible for ensuring that each person has access to a meaningful day that is focused on skill development around a variety of activities related to daily living. This role will focus on helping people achieve person-centered goals related to preparing for, maintaining, and succeeding in their efforts around volunteering or employment, socialization, recreation, resource location, money management, transportation, and more.

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Utilize personal and professional networks to cultivate meaningful relationships between community members and persons in services (employment, volunteerism, recreation/leisure)
• Familiarization with goals and outcomes of people in services, tracking and providing feedback on progress made towards goals with managers and person-centered plan team.
• Complete required daily service documentation including time and attendance in services and brief description of all activities engaged in while delivering direct supports to assigned people within iCareManager (iCM) database system.
• Update, edit, and correct any information erroneously entered into iCM, within required timeframes, as directed by Manager/Director.
• Ensure Knowledge and understanding related to health needs and risks, as well as diagnoses, of assigned persons in services.
• Provide supervision and assistance to persons in services during meaningful day activities, with an emphasis on Community-Based supports and services.
• Provide effective employment development support, as needed, to include exploring work transferable interests and skills, on-site job training and site visits, and how to have effective communication with employers, co-workers, and team members.
• Provide services utilizing methods within the Coach Approach™ to effectively communicate and problem solve with persons in services as well as colleagues, helping people build skills so they can solve problems WITH them and NOT FOR them.
• Complete and pass all State of Maryland, and Agency required trainings and remain current with all renewable trainings such as CPR/First Aid and Blood Borne Pathogens.
• Ensure completion of all PCP related training for people with which direct support is provided.
• Maintain flexibility as needed with daily schedules to ensure smooth transitions when the unexpected occurs, this will include the need to provide direct support to people not regularly assigned and providing transportation as needed.
• Participate in all Travel Training requirements and gain knowledge of public transportation systems to assist people supported by Opportunities, Inc. with learning how to navigate their communities independently.
• Deliver customized, person-centered, services utilizing principles and practices that ensure growth for all people receiving services from Opportunities, Inc. 
• Identify and connect natural supports in a variety of community settings where people in services frequently participate.
• Communicate issues and challenges to service delivery with Community Support Manager, Service Implementation Manager, and/or Director of Programs, as needed, to help problem solve new ways to help people achieve goals.
• Participate in internal/external meetings, as appropriate, to ensure services delivered meet the needs as they are addressed within the person-centered plan. 
• Assist with providing transportation, in agency vehicles, for people receiving services to, from, and within all services to include community outings.
• Participate in cross-functional teams, as assigned, to address organizational needs and promote collaboration across departments in support of Opportunities Inc.’s mission.
• Other duties as assigned.

EXPECTATIONS/DESIRED SKILLS:

• Creative and detailed-oriented
• Proven initiative and self-starter attributes
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities at the same time
• Strong organizational and time management skills 
• Ability and willingness to work in a high energy environment 
• Relates well to diverse populations; builds appropriate rapport
• Strong technical knowledge, including experience with Microsoft Office suite

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• High School Diploma or GED required, Associate’s Degree preferred 
• Abreast with Montgomery County and/or Prince George’s County activities and resources 
• A valid driver's license, clean driving record, reliable transportation and be willing to drive company vehicles