(Hybrid, Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, Tyler, Doddridge, or Pleasants) Community Support Specialist - Center for Excellence in Disabilities

The Center for Excellence in Disabilities at West Virginia University Research Corporation is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Community Support Specialist.

About the Opportunity

The purpose of this position is to provide support for the Mentoring & Oversight for Developing Independence with Foster Youth (MODIFY) Program at the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED).

As a (Hybrid) Community Support Specialist, you will provide follow-up services to youth in transition from foster care to adult independence. The primary emphasis is the coordination of services to youth exiting foster care. Service coordination provided to this group of young adults will ensure that system linkages are in place for supporting these youth in the life domains of housing, employment, education, finance, physical/mental health, family and socialization. The goal of these services is to promote self-sufficiency and a successful transition to independence for former foster care youth.

At WVU Research Corporation, we strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU Research Corporation offers a comprehensive benefits package with a variety of options to suit your needs:

• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• PTO
• 403(b) retirement savings with a fully vested 3% employee contribution match, (Employees have the option of contributing an additional 1-3% of their earnings to the plan, which is also matched by the WVURC)
• A range of health insurance and other benefits
• Dependent Education Scholarship
• WVU Perks
• And More!!

What you'll do:

• Provide case management services to foster youth discharging the foster care system who are pursuing post-secondary education or an employment program.
• Develop and sustain positive working relationships with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) Bureau of Children and Families Division field offices, community resource providers, child/adult care agencies/providers and the DHHR field staff in the region of assignment to facilitate collaborative efforts to improve services to foster care and former foster care youth.
• Train attendees at multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings about the MODIFY Program and benefits available to youth transitioning out of the foster care system.
• Collect data for analysis of post-discharge follow up data on former foster youth.
• Provide additional direct services to former foster care youth including, but not limited to, help with enrolling in postsecondary education programs, supportive counseling, linkage/referral to needed services in the region, financial assistance, independent living skills training, social skills training, and other services as deemed necessary to promote their independence.
• Train and consult DHHR staff, other agencies, or foster care home regarding the MODIFY Program policy and needs of former foster youth receiving services; identify ways to collaborate and provide combined services to meet those needs.
• Develop and implement policy and program-related training for DHHR, private childcare agency staff, foster parents, and consumers.
• Provide monthly program reports to WVUCED and special reports to the Program Manager and/or Director as requested.
• Plan and deliver life skills instruction to youth in foster care by participating in regional life skills instruction trainings.
• Provide technical assistance and consult with DHHR staff and provide agencies relating to the transition and independent living services.
• Plan and implement the Foster Care Youth Council in the region of assignment as well as collaborating with other regional Foster Care Youth Councils.
• Attend MODIFY staff meetings, attend WVUCED staff meetings, and participate in other appropriate duties assigned by the MODIFY Program Manager.

• Bachelor's degree in social work, Vocational Counseling, Psychology, or related social service field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of two (2) years of direct service working with older adolescents.
• Advanced knowledge of processes and procedures, the service and/or product and its application.
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
• Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Skilled at being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Skilled at talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Skilled at using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and coordinate work skills effectively and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with the West Virginia State foster care system is required.
• Good written and verbal communications skills are necessary.
• An ability and willingness to work some evenings, overnights and/or weekends as well as infrequent, extended out-of-state travel is necessary.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

Certifications:

• Must have, or be eligible for, licensure as a Social Worker or certified Social Worker by the West Virginia Board of Social Work Examiners.

• Valid US driver's license.

The WVURC was created as a not-for-profit corporation in 1985 to support research (R1) at West Virginia University. We provide evaluation, development, patenting, management, and marketing services for inventions of the faculty, staff and students of the University.

The WVURC receives and administers funds awarded by external agencies for research and other activities and is responsible for helping protect intellectual property through patents, copyrights and licensing agreements for start-up companies based on University research.

Creating an inclusive, engaged, and dynamic environment is core to WVURC's mission. We welcome candidates who can contribute a range of ideas, approaches and experiences.

West Virginia University Research Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We value diversity among its employees and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.