• Community Support Specialist

    Washington County Mental Health Services (Barre, VT)


    Community Support Specialist

     

    The Community Support Specialist helps individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities achieve their goals and enhances their quality of life by providing individualized, community-based services that promote independence, inclusion, and overall well-being. This looks like supporting daily living activities, building social and life skills, and facilitating meaningful engagement in community settings.

    Benefits:

    + Paid Time Off (PTO): 12 vacation days and 12 sick days per year, with additional accruals for longstanding employees.

    + Health Insurance: Employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision coverage.

    + Shift Differentials: Additional pay for evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts.

    + Life and Disability Insurance: Employer-sponsored coverage.

    + Retirement: 403(b) plan with generous employer match.

    + Educational Support: Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment assistance.

    + Flexible Schedule: 30–40 hours per week with scheduling flexibility.

    Job Duties

    + Implement individualized service plans while keeping track of progress according to agency standards

    + Support individuals' skill development towards independence, including cooking, budgeting, and communication

    + Transport clients safely to appointments, community activities, employment, and other essential destinations

    + Monitor client safety and respond appropriately in emergencies

    + Establish professional, positive, and supportive relationships with individuals, families, and community partners

    + Provide respectful and safe daily support to clients in residential settings

    Qualifications

    + High school completion or equivalent

    + Valid driver's license, acceptable driving record, and consistent, regular access to a safe, reliable, insured vehicle

    + Strong communication skills

    + Positive regard for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism, and co-occurring mental health or substance use disorders

    + Team player with a collaborative approach

    + Ability to maintain a calm demeanor and utilize de-escalation skills

     

    Workplace Environment

     

    + Requires working in a variety of locations including program spaces, residential environments, and in the community

    + Requires working with clients who may have difficult behaviors

    + Transporting clients by car is required.

    + ​​​ Work hours include evening and weekend shifts as needed to meet staffing requirements

     

    Compensation

     

    This full-time position starts at $18.87/hr and includes comprehensive benefits including paid time off, employer-sponsored health, dental, life, and disability insurances; a 403(b) retirement plan with generous employer match; and educational benefits such as tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment.

     

    To apply

     

    We encourage applicants to apply via the WCMHS website Careers (https://www.wcmhs.org/careers)  page. Applications (resume and cover letter) may also be emailed to [email protected] or mailed via USPS mail to WCMHS Human Resources, PO Box 647, Montpelier, VT 05601. WCMHS strives to make our application process accessible to all. If you need language assistance or an accommodation in the application process, please contact us at [email protected] or 802-229-1399.

     

    Washington County Mental Health Services is an equal opportunity employer. Grounded in our understanding that diversity makes us stronger, we are committed to inclusion in our workplace and services. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and consider applications for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, health care coverage status, military status, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

     

    About the agency

     

    For more than 50 years, Washington County Mental Health Services (WCMHS) has served the Washington County community and the Orange County towns of Orange, Washington and Williamstown. WCMHS provides education, support, and treatment of individuals and families living with mental health challenges, substance use issues, and developmental and intellectual disabilities. Providing accessible, high-quality services in the community, schools, and health care settings, we work toward positive outcomes for wellness with collaborative, inclusive, and compassionate care. Washington County Mental Health Services is “Where Hope and Support Come Together.”

     

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