Community Support Specialist

Adult Autism Waiver Community Support Specialist- Allegheny County, PA

Achieving True Self (ATS) wants to invest in you! Always wanted to work in a role helping others but everywhere requires previous experience? This is the job for you. Make a positive change today! Apply Today!

As an ATS Community Support Specialist, you will provide direct, in-person assistance to adult participants on the autism spectrum to assist them in acquiring, retaining and improving communication, socialization, self-direction, self-help, and other adaptive skills necessary to reside independently in the community. You will get to have fun and let your personality shine while making a difference in your participants’ lives.

You will help address challenges that adults on the autism spectrum experience due to limited social skills, perseverative behavior, rigid thinking, difficulty interpreting cues in the natural environment, limited communication skills or impaired sensory systems.

Here at ATS, you will be a part of an exceptionally supportive work environment where team members thrive, feel valued, and are ultimately appreciated for their contributions.

Pay rate: $17-20/hour commensurate with experience and education.

Where is ATS providing CSS services?

• Westmoreland County, PA
• Allegheny County, PA
• Washington County, PA

What are the benefits of working at Achieving True Self?

• We offer bi-weekly, competitive pay, along with paid time off, and floating holidays for those who qualify.
• We offer medical, dental, vision, and retirement options, as well as supplemental insurance and short term disability plans for those who qualify.
• We offer an entirely free and confidential employee assistance program that gives you access to mental health, financial health, legal services, and wellness benefits that can be used for you and your family. This includes a discount program too, like pet insurance.
• Performance reviews conducted with supervisors to foster professional development.
• We “Hire to Retire” providing you with the tools necessary to grow with Achieving True Self. Tuition discounts, college and university partnerships, and continued education and supervision opportunities for those who want to go back for continued education.
• We offer paid training for you within the first few months of employment. Additional training will be provided to those that qualify.
• We celebrate differences and thrive on diversity. We are committed to an inclusive-company culture, where team members can thrive and feel valued.
• We provide a company chromebook to record your data during sessions.

What are the required qualifications?

• Education: A minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• Experience: Must be 18 years of age or older
• Training: Willing to complete the required paid autism training upon hire
• Drivers License/Vehicle: A valid driver's license with proof of car insurance and a good driving record. Your own reliable vehicle is required. Ride share and public transportation are not acceptable for this position as transporting clients within the community is a requirement.
• Clearances: Must be able to complete required clearances: FBI Criminal History, PA Child Abuse History (Act 33) and PA Criminal History (Act 34) clearances are required. These clearances are not paid for or reimbursed by the agency.
• Technology:Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, Google applications, and have experience working within electronic medical records is a plus.
• Physical Requirement: Must be able to perform all essential duties in a variety of settings, including office, home, community, and workplace environments.

What are the core responsibilities for this position?

• Meet adults on the autism spectrum in their home and/or identified community settings.
• Assist directly in acquiring, retaining, and improving communication, socialization,self-direction, self-help, and other adaptive skills necessary to reside in the community.
• Facilitate social interaction via natural supports and typical community services available to all people.
• Transport clients to/from home, community, project sites, or scheduled service.
• Support participation in education and volunteer activities.
• Engage, model, and encourage activities that improve capacity to perform functions of daily living (i.e., hygiene, dressing, eating, and mobility) and instrumental activities (i.e.,communication, survival skills, cooking, housework, shopping, money management, time management, and use of transportation).
• Community Support staff follow and implement an individualized service plan developed by the team clinical lead that will outline measurable goals and objectives. These goals and objectives will be reported on a daily, monthly, and quarterly basis through qualitative and quantitative data collection.
• Community Support staff primarily support adults on the autism spectrum in a one-on-one format, however, group meetings and supervision by other members of the clinical team occur sporadically.

Who is ATS, and What is our Mission?:

Achieving True Self is passionately cultivating and inspiring growth through the delivery of evidenced based treatment to assist individuals, families, organizations and their surrounding communities to achieve their self-defined goals. Through a supportive organizational culture focused on developing and retaining team members, we are determined to change the world by instilling hope and helping each person whose life we touch achieve their truest self.

Achieving True Self is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that celebrates differences and thrives on diversity. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of their age, ancestry, color, citizenship status, creed, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, orientation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any protected category or characteristic prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

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Achieving True Self is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, military status, national origin or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or applicable local law.

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