Community Support Specialist

About the Community Support Specialist Position

Drive Change is seeking a dedicated Community Support Specialist to join our team. The candidate must be a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). The Community Support Specialist will be instrumental in leading case management and support-based interventions for justice-involved participants within our program. This role entails closely collaborating with our program team to address the behavioral, emotional, and social needs of our participants, ensuring they have the comprehensive care and support to graduate from our program and thrive in the workforce.

Key Responsibilities:

Participant Support:

  • Develop and implement individualized care plans for participants and alumni, in collaboration with the program team.

  • Conduct initial assessments to identify participant strengths, challenges, and support needs.

  • Provide 1:1 check ins, ongoing emotional support, counseling, and crisis intervention as needed.

  • Advocate for participants' needs and rights within the organization and externally as required.

Case Management:

  • Provide ongoing case management services, including coordination of participant care, advocacy, and referrals to community resources.

  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date case notes and documentation on participant progress and interventions.

  • Coordinate with external agencies, service providers, and community resources to ensure comprehensive support for participants.

  • Monitor participant compliance with program requirements and provide guidance on meeting program goals.

Educational and Vocational Support:

  • Assist participants in setting and achieving educational and vocational goals.

  • Collaborate with the program team to support fellows through career counseling, resume building, job search support, and interview preparation.

  • Facilitate group therapy sessions and support groups to promote skill development, peer support, and community integration.

  • Facilitate workshops and training sessions on life skills and other relevant topics.

Program Evaluation and Improvement:

  • Collaborate with the program team to evaluate the effectiveness of support services and make recommendations for program improvements.

  • Participate in regular team meetings, case conferences, and professional development activities.

  • Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all services provided.

Experience Required:

  • Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program. 

  • Current LMSW license in New York State 

  • Minimum of 3 years of experience providing clinical social work services, preferably in a similar setting (e.g., justice-impacted youth, workforce development, transitional youth programs). 

  • Strong knowledge of evidence-based therapeutic techniques and interventions. ● Experience with case management, conducting assessments and developing treatment plans. 

  • Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and demonstrate cultural humility and curiosity. 

  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. 

  • Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team. 

  • Commitment to ethical practice and maintaining confidentiality. 

  • Willingness and readiness for working with an early stage company 

  • Dedication to working with youth and a strong commitment to empowering young people to achieve their full potential 

  • Passionate about food and hospitality, reimagining criminal justice, and building ethical food systems 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is a plus

  • Expertise with housing insecurity

  • Certification in specialized treatment modalities (e.g., trauma-informed care, healing centered engagement, motivational interviewing, restorative justice)

  • Proficiency with CRMs and Google Suite

Work Schedule:

This position is a full-time, in person position. Evening and/or weekend work may be required. The office location for this position is Brooklyn, New York.

Expected Salary & Benefits:

The expected salary is $60,000-$70,000 per year with room to grow.  We offer medical, dental, vision, life insurance and a 401k, parental leave, a generous paid time off policy as well as professional development opportunities. Lunch is provided most days.

Requirements to Apply:

To apply to the Community Support Specialist role, please submit the following to people@drivechangenyc.org:

Resume

  • In lieu of a cover letter, answers to the following questions:

    • What aspects of this role are you most motivated by and why?

    • How does your personal and/or professional experience contribute to your commitment to working towards racial and economic justice for the young people that we serve? How specifically will it contribute to this role's expectations in stewarding others in their own process?

    • What does the Drive Change tagline, "Reimagine Justice, Reimagine Service" mean to you?

    • Describe a group, community, or team that you have been a part of before. How did your skills or experience contribute to the health of that group? How would that experience contribute to your ability to support our programming?

Drive Change is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, or current employment status. Drive Change values diverse experiences, including with regards to educational background and justice system involvement. We depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.