Open Date 12/18/2024 Position 211 Community Connector FT - Tuesday - Saturday 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm Category Mental Health Description Background check requiredPosition Title:Community Connector- 211Location:Must live within New York State.Hours:Full TimeFLSA Classification:Non-exemptHourly Rate - $20.50 per hour, plus shift differentialGeneral SummaryThe Community Connector- 211 is a caller-focused position responsible for providing assessment, problem solving, and referral assistance to those seeking basic needs and support. A successful Community Connector- 211 knows the importance of empathy, advocacy, and cultural competency to help callers access the services needed to build and sustain healthy lives. This position requires a creative intellectual with critical thinking skills and a desire to help those in need.Under the general supervision of a 211 Coordinator, the Community Connector-211 handles incoming calls/texts to the call center on various assigned information and referral and community support lines: answering all calls/texts, collecting, and documenting all required data, and offering all applicable resources and referrals to clients.Duties and Responsibilities
- Answer calls on assigned incoming lines, including but not limited to information and referral and community support lines with compassion and in accordance with the organization's training and scope.
- Place outgoing and follow-up calls to designated programs as scheduled.
- Document calls in an accurate and timely manner in web-based helpline software.
- Navigate multiple computer databases to locate and refer callers to appropriate community resources.
- Assist with placing rescue calls as needed for callers requiring emergency assistance.
- Apply crisis intervention tools and techniques and make appropriate connections to community safety net programs when needed.
- Complete assessments and determine eligibility for emergency shelter placements.
- Regularly achieve a satisfactory or above rating for calls monitored on assigned lines.
- Maintain a meets expectation rating for answer rates across all lines.
- Attend mandatory quarterly staff meetings and complete required trainings, workshops, and continuing education to remain knowledgeable about best practices, policies, and protocols, including Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
- Perform additional responsibilities as they develop and are assigned.
Education RequirementsHigh school diploma required; associate's degree preferred.Previous Experience RequirementCrisis counseling/mental health experience; experience linking people with needed community resources.Knowledge and Skills Needed to Perform Effectively in this Position
- Strong empathy, active listening, communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills
- Strong documentation skills
- Ability to adapt quickly to varied protocol/requirements of each incoming/outgoing line
- Function autonomously and exercise good judgment and decision-making skills, particularly in a crisis
- Skilled in web-based computer environment, database navigations, and multi-line phone system
- Effectively multi-task and use an internal messaging system during calls and throughout shifts.
Additional Requirements
- A sense of responsibility and commitment to Contact Community Services and its mission.
- High energy, patience, and controlling one's emotions, as well as the ability to think analytically in a high stress environment.
- Strong attendance and punctuality- able to consistently show up on time and work full scheduled shifts and ability to provide advanced notice for time off requests.
- Understanding of personal wellness
Work schedules are determined based upon call volume trends. This position requires working some holidays and working weekends (most staff work Saturday or Sunday, and some work both days of the weekend).This position is designated as essential staff. Essential employees perform work involving the safety of human life or the protection of property. Due to this designation, you will be required to report to work for your regular shift in the event the business office is closed due to an emergency. This is a condition of your employment. If you are required to report to work during a shift where the business office is closed due to an emergency, you will be compensated at a rate to equal one and half times your regular rate of pay.Physical Dimensions (Job-related physical abilities an individual needs to possess in order to perform the job in a satisfactory manner)
- Sitting at a computer for long periods of time; entering data; listening & speaking clearly on the telephone.
- All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.Contact Community Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt Shift Evenings EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. This position is currently accepting applications.