Start or enhance your career path with DEAF, Inc., a nonprofit organization in the St. Louis Metro area that 100%
completely supports and benefits the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community! Be a part of an organization that
nurtures your career and appreciates you.
POSITION: COMMUNITY SUPPORT SPECIALIST
OPENING DATE: APRIL 5, 2021
CLOSING DATE: Until Filled
SALARY: COMMENSURATE WITH EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
CLASSIFICATION: FULL-TIME, EXEMPT
REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
LOCATION: ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
POSITION SUMMARY:
BACKGROUND: Deaf Empowerment Awareness Foundation, Inc (DEAF, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity that provides community and interpreting services for Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing (DDBHH) communities. DEAF, Inc. is to provide services through community outreach, direct support, training, and education. The Community Support Specialist will contribute to the mission with a primary focus on initiatives that will strengthen and maximize opportunities and resources available to individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Serve as Coordinator for Youth Programs (i.e.: Summer Sign Camp, Signing Santa) and Pink Wings of Hope.
- Serve as a mentor for young DDBHH youth and young adults and as an advocate for parents of D/HH individuals. This includes maintaining regular communication, provide individual guidance and feedback.
- Serve as a support person for individuals living with cancer.
- Provides emotional culturally sensitive community support to Youth and Families with hearing loss and individuals living with cancer.
- Collaboratively works with the Community Advocate on communication access issues.
- Remove access barriers by developing and maintaining a list of referrals and referring clients/families to appropriate community resources.
- Regular follow-up with clients to see how their well-being is doing.
- Manage the collection, assimilation and shipping of care packages to cancer clients.
- Organizes Program meetings on a month basis or when its necessary.
- Provide support to all Youth/Family and Pink Wings of Hope events and support groups.
- Presents workshops, seminars and training on Youth and Cancer related issues virtually or in the community to various facility and organizations.
- Completes timely documentation of services that clearly describe the need for the service, the intervention provided, and the individual’s response to the service.
- Other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Case management skills: Strong and excellent communication, organizational and time management skills.
- Strong strategic and conceptual thinker with firm understanding of local Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing community and its stakeholders.
- Deep passion for education, career, and lifetime choices available to individuals with hearing loss.
- Passion for education, advocacy, and independent living functional skills including adaption to home, school, family, and work environments when the natural acquisition of those skills is negatively impacted by stigma.
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to the mission.
- Comfortable gathering and summarizing local community data in a timely manner.
- Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, Social Work, or related field
Licenses
- Valid Driver's License and Vehicle Insurance
Experience
- Fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) or at least conversationally with willingness to further signing skills
Contact: Email a cover letter and resume to De Linda Brite at careers@deafinc.org.
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability or any other status which may be protected by Federal, State or local law.