Community Specialist

Community Specialist

Senior Division

Agency Overview

Felton Institute responds to the needs of our community by providing innovative, evidence-informed social services that transform lives. Our organization offers 50+ programs that address mental health, the unhoused, early care and education, those impacted by the justice system, transitional age youth, as well as aging adults. Our programs combine the latest scientific research with cultural sensitivity and a deep commitment to supporting and reflecting the communities we serve. Felton offers a dynamic, challenging, and supportive work environment where we encourage the use of professional development, that staff can utilize throughout their career.

Division and Program Description

Felton’s Senior Division specializes in a full continuum of mental health services for older adults in outpatient clinics, the community, and supportive housing sites, as well as programs in employment training, economic security, case management, advocacy, and social connection and inclusion.  Felton Senior Division supports older adults and adults with disabilities to flourish in their communities with dignity, security, and a high quality of life.  The Division specializes in mental health services for adults as well as workforce development, volunteer and community engagement to reduce social isolation of seniors.

Felton's Clinical Housing Support Program provides behavioral health and other onsite support services to assist tenants at the Drs. Julian & Raye Richardson Apartments to maintain housing stability and improve access to resources.  All tenants were formally homeless adults with co-occurring mental health, substance use, medical problems, and limited experience living independently.  Support services include individual and group behavioral health counseling and case management, psychiatry, primary care nursing case management and medication monitoring, referral to and coordination with primary medical care, substance abuse and psychiatric treatment, benefit counseling and client advocacy, meal programs, health education, community building, tenant organizing, and all other case management functions.

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, this position participates in a multidisciplinary team serving tenants of Rene Cazenave and Richardson Apartments many of whom have severe mental illness and co-occurring disorders. Bringing lived experience, the Community Specialist works directly with the interdisciplinary clinical team to provide outreach and engagement, rapport building, and case management services including linkage to medical care and other services. This person will also provide support individuals to learn independent living skills, communication skills, social skills and other necessary skills to support independence, maintain housing stability and support mental health recovery. The Community Specialist will document all client encounters in a timely manner using appropriate documentation procedures for MediCal billing. The Community Specialist also will support client access to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and other independent living tasks as the needs are identified. This person will also bring expertise regarding community resources, recreational opportunities, and other connections to services, formal and informal, participants, and will work with the staff to develop the center in innovative ways to reduce social isolation and increase mental health.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Passionate about working with older adults who may be isolated, have mental health issues, have cognitive impairments, substance abuse issues, or other needs that are not being met
• Demonstrated outreach, rapport building, and engagement experience
• Familiar with and/or ability to provide targeted case management services and mental health focused skills building services
• Ability to travel frequently in SF and work in office, community, home, and hospital settings
• Lived experience with mental health services/peer certified/trained preferred/older adult preferred
• Previous work experience in social services or related field; working knowledge of social service resources in San Francisco for older adults preferred
• Previous experience leading activities and groups preferred
• Driver’s license preferred.
• Demonstrated computer skills in word processing (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel) and ability to learn electronic charting.
• Strong skills in working independently and also as a team member
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to follow instructions and work under the direction of others
• Time management skills and ability to prioritize projects and follow through
• Problem solving skills: able to discern when to consult, when to make independent decisions, and able to offer suggestions for solutions.
• Openness to learn, consult, and receive constructive feedback
• Ability to be a team player with a welcoming attitude
• Available to work business hours, Monday through Friday, predominantly in field/office settings
• Ability to support at each site (Richardson and Rene Cazenave) as needed

Additional Information:

Reports to: Program Manager

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Onsite (9am-5pm)

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 

Salary Range: $33 - $38 per hour (DOE)

Benefits (subject to election and eligibility): Fully-Paid Medical and Dental Plans; Health Reimbursement Card, Paid Time Off (personal, vacation, and sick time), 403B with company match.

Applying Instruction:

Candidates should apply for the position at our career page “careers.felton.org” OR directly email resumes to “[email protected]”.

IMP NOTE: Job responsibilities are subject to change according to program requirements.