Community Response Specialist

Felton Institute • Antioch, CA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Community Response Specialist (CRS) works under the direct supervision of the AQCRT Program Director in the AQCRT/Justice Services Division. The CRS responds to a broad range of low-level calls referred by 911 dispatch and provides on-site crisis assessment, de-escalation, and conflict mediation. The role supports residents in connecting with services that address their goals, including mental health, substance use treatment, employment, housing, financial, and medical services. This may include coordinating with an AQCRT behavioral health specialist or other providers, liaising with community partners and social service agencies, and transporting engaged Antioch residents to service locations.

The position involves proactive and reactive community outreach and engagement with residents who are unhoused, insecurely housed, at risk of losing housing, or experiencing mental health, physical health, or substance use needs. It is a highly mobile, community-based, full-time position with evening and weekend hours required to support a 12-hour-per-day, seven-day-per-week schedule. The CRS builds supportive relationships with residents, stakeholders, and providers and provides hands-on assistance accessing services in accordance with intervention plans.

Felton Institute provides innovative, evidence-informed social services across programs addressing mental health, homelessness, early care and education, justice-system involvement, transitional-age youth, and aging adults. The organization describes its work environment as dynamic, challenging, and supportive, and encourages professional development.

Requirements

• High school graduate or GED.
• At least one year of experience working with transition-age youth and/or adults experiencing substance use disorders, mental illness, homelessness, or related challenges.
• Interest in engaging and connecting with a diverse, high-need community of adults and young adults.
• Ability to work cooperatively on a multidisciplinary team and with clients from various ethnic backgrounds.
• Experience with individuals or groups impacted by violence, poverty, racism, and/or mental illness.
• Experience conducting community outreach and engagement activities.
• Ability to work a flexible full-time schedule, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate program and client needs.

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s degree.
• Valid California driver’s license and insurance, and ability to travel as required to perform duties.

Responsibilities

• Conduct proactive and reactive community outreach and engagement with residents who are unhoused, insecurely housed, struggling to maintain housing, or have mental health, physical health, or substance use needs.
• Respond to low-level calls referred by 911 dispatch and provide on-site crisis assessment, de-escalation, and conflict mediation.
• Support linkages to services that address residents’ goals, including mental health, substance use treatment, employment, housing, financial, and medical services.
• Liaise with community partners and social service agencies to address residents’ needs.
• Transport residents to necessary service locations when needed to help them begin relationships with providers.
• Provide hands-on support for clients accessing services according to their intervention plans, including attending medical and social service appointments and assisting with some activities of daily living such as grocery shopping.
• Help clients connect with and access available transportation resources.
• Complete assessments, develop service plans, and link residents to services following a harm reduction model.
• Assist residents in implementing wellness and recovery plans and goals, as appropriate.
• Conduct participant intake interviews and provide referrals to community agencies as appropriate.
• Maintain documentation of program activities and response calls, and assist with tracking program data.
• Maintain an inventory of health education and outreach materials for outreach efforts and to supply internal providers and other staff.
• Establish positive, supportive relationships with residents, stakeholders, and community providers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Fully paid medical and dental plans, subject to election and eligibility.
• Health reimbursement card, subject to election and eligibility.
• Paid time off, including personal, vacation, and sick time, subject to election and eligibility.
• 403(b) plan with company match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED