Community Support Specialist

Position: Community Support Specialist

Reports to: Guaranteed Income Program Manager

Department: Programs

Job Location: Los Angeles, CA. Work is hybrid-remote, with cycles of in-person work required at our offices in Central Los Angeles. Applicants must live in LA County and be able to get to our office location with reliable private or public transportation. Some local travel within LA County for community outreach will be required. Paid parking is provided for employees.

Pay: $23-$28/hour. Comprehensive benefits package also includes paid sick and vacation time, free health insurance coverage, cell phone stipend, paid professional development opportunities, as well as other benefits available to all NCJWLA employees.

Role type: Grant-funded, Grant term is three years, March 1, 2023-March 2026.

Time Commitment: 37.5 hours a week, with some non-traditional hours (weekends and/or outside of 8 am-5 pm) based on program and client needs.

About NCJW | LA

NCJW|LA embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We are looking for highly passionate and dedicated people to help support our mission. Job applicants of all backgrounds without bias regarding race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender identity, sexuality, or national origin are encouraged to apply.

NCJW|LA is committed to advancing economic justice for women and their families. In addition to our direct service programs: we support the passage of laws and policies that ensure economic security, promote dignity in the workplace, and expand the safety net for struggling families.

Position Context: The National Council of Jewish Women, LA (NCJW|LA), is directing one of the California Department of Social Services Guaranteed Income Pilot Programs (GIPP). The Pregnancy Assistance Income with Dignity (PAID) program will provide 180 pregnant people with $1,000 in unrestricted cash every month for 18 months. PAID is one of seven pilots across California who are taking part in the state’s first GIPP initiative.

The primary goals of the program are the following: (1) Reduce the acute economic burden of low-income pregnant people. (2) Improve inequities in maternal social, economic, and health outcomes among a racially diverse population of lower income, working persons giving birth. (3) Improve inequities in health and developmental outcomes of babies born into low-income households.

Position Description: Community Support Specialists will assist applicants for the GI pilot, providing assistance with the online application and educating applicants regarding additional support and services available to County residents. Specialists will be responsible for establishing trust with the pilot participants and assessing additional needs for participants as they arise. They will serve as key members of the program support team and will work closely with NCJWLA’s program staff to strategize on retention and support strategies for pilot participants, especially as they acclimate to participation in the pilot and navigate opportunities and challenges faced by GI recipients.

Responsibilities include:

Applicant Outreach and Engagement

• Provide interested, qualified participants with information on the application process and materials developed for the County pilot.
• Participate in outreach strategies to reach hard-to-reach and underserved communities so that they are knowledgeable about the opportunity to participate in the pilot
• Answer questions from potential participants and provide information about the benefits of program participation.
• Troubleshoot with participants any issues with the application process.
• Work with community partners to coordinate support for program applicants as needed.

Participant Support

• Once pilot participants have been selected, provide one-on-one and group support to educate applicants about additional support and services available to them through both the PAID program and other partner agencies.
• Cultivate trust and community between NCJWLA and program participants through regular communications with pilot participants.
• Participate in ongoing outreach and communication between staff and pilot participants including regular individual check-ins and as needed.

Ongoing Programmatic Support

• Provide staff support for additional program components of the guaranteed income program throughout the grant cycle.
• Participate in additional learning opportunities with the statewide GIPP community, national GI communities, and other organizations.
• Participate and contribute to all NCJW|LA’s efforts to support the communities we serve.

Requirements/Qualifications: Ideal candidates will have a commitment to and strong interest in social and economic justice, with an interest in or experience with health equity and guaranteed income. Candidates should have experience having, working with people or knowledge of people with diabetes and/or pregnancy. Candidates should have strong customer service or case management skills.

The job is an ideal learning opportunity for someone with an interest and enthusiasm for pursuing economic justice and equity for communities as well as the ability and willingness to learn new skills and take initiative as a project develops. Candidates must be comfortable with community-based interactions and have some experience working in a collaborative model with multiple stakeholders.

• Educational and/or work experience in any of the following areas/fields is preferred: Human service, community health, community building, or other related fields.
• Confident leadership, writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience as a member of a team working towards communal goals.
• Understand and believe in the strength of diversity, and the need for solutions to support all people regardless of race, religion, gender, immigration status, or ethnicity.
• Familiarity with the cities, communities of the County of Los Angeles and the services and support available to County residents.
• Fluency in one of the following languages is preferred: Spanish, Korean, Tagalog, Chinese Mandarin, or Armenian.
• Awareness of potential economic impact and/or risk factors for pregnancy is also preferred.
• Be able to lift 30lbs.
• Knowledgeable in the following skills; Microsoft Office, Outlook, Excel, Word, and Internet savvy.

This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this position. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this job description.

We require a Cover Letter and Resume for consideration.