The Community Connector position will have flexibility to extend services to people throughout the community. Facilitate and support people as community-facing staff committed to grassroots outreach. Coordinate with DMH Site Directors, area service providers, and community members to ensure outreach and community group locations are as accessible as possible according to local need. Ensure that groups are located as close to public transportation as possible. Maintain a list/directory of resources available for each community in the RLC area; encourage peers to become involved in existing social activities and supports in their community. Assist with the operation of peer-operated Recovery Learning Community (RLC) setting(s) in which people with lived experience of mental health conditions choose to join as participants and work collaboratively on their recovery goals along with their peers.

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed below:

• Serves as role model, mentor, teacher, advocate, and ally in order to best support and enhance the person’s participation and involvement in the community.
• Facilitates groups and activities in the community.
• Educates the person about community resources and services.
• Fosters independence, hope, inspiration, and a sense of community.
• Shares personal experiences, provides advocacy, support, education, information, and training in recovery tools.
• Collaborates with RLC staff to facilitate the person’s participation in community groups and activities.
• Assists people in identifying and accessing resources, services, and support that they need and desire within their communities.
• Helps prepare people for their futures by encouraging information gathering, peer support, and social networking.
• Meets with people in the community as soon as possible, to provide support and continuity of the relationship, to answer questions, and to continue to link the person to community resources.
• Educates and connects people to natural community resources (e.g. housing, grocery stores, bank accounts, laundry, public transportation, employment resources, etc.). Looks into and identify recreational activities accessible in a person’s community based on the person’s interests (i.e. book clubs, fishing, knitting groups, gym classes, etc.).
• Supports the development of self-advocacy skills and other strategies that promote recovery by teaching and modeling these skills.
• Promotes teamwork by demonstrating flexibility, the ability to listen to the views of others, to compromise, to handle conflict, and stay focused on a positive outcome. 
• Helps participants access resources in their local community to support/enhance their recovery, including educational, employment, housing, and social supports. Provide community linkage and support to people in various settings.
• Creates a welcoming and helpful RLC environment in which participants, family, friends, and others important in the lives of participants are welcomed, respected, and valued.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Knowledge and Skills:
• Willing to use and share their personal, practical experience of recovery process, wellness management, and the personal effort and commitment required for persons to have a full and satisfying life in the community.
• Strong commitments to the right and ability of people served by Vinfen to live, work, have 
meaningful relationships, and receive the resources and supports needed in their community of choice.
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented, person-centered, and strengths-based values and principles and modalities
• Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation values, principles, and techniques
• Knowledge of the effects of prejudice (including internalized negative attitudes about oneself), discrimination, and oppression of people with psychiatric disorders, and the effects of poverty
• Knowledge of motivational interviewing, stage of change, and harm reduction techniques 
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally competent services 
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues 
• Knowledge of human, legal, civil rights, community, and other resources
• Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with program clients.
• Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques
• Knowledge of available community and mental health services, including equipment, therapies, and service providers
• Knowledge of psychiatric advanced directives, self-management, and crisis intervention techniques
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices and commitment to maintaining program’s fidelity to EBP standards and practices
• Knowledge and use of different communication and learning styles and supervisory techniques.
• Knowledge of organizational, strategic, participatory, and collaborative skills
• Knowledge of formal and informal assessment practices
• Knowledge of data-driven decision-making processes and ability to encourage others to use data analysis, as needed.
• Ability to balance competing priorities.
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions.
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity.
• therapies, and service providers
• Extensive knowledge of psychiatric advanced directives, self-management, and crisis intervention techniques
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices and commitment to maintaining program’s fidelity to EBP standards and practices
• Knowledge and use of different communication and learning styles and supervisory techniques.
• Knowledge of organizational, strategic, participatory, collaborative skills
• Extensive knowledge of formal and informal assessment practices
• Knowledge of data-driven decision-making processes and ability to encourage others to use data analysis as needed.
• Ability to provide leadership and team management to staff.
• Ability to balance competing priorities.
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions.
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity.

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Typical Requirements:
Personal, first-hand experience (not just having a friend or family member) being a recipient of the mental health system, which encompasses experiences such as psychiatric inpatient hospitalization, outpatient services/therapy, experience with psychiatric medications, and/or participating in mental health groups in the community. While a formal mental health diagnosis is not required, your involvement with mental health services must be related to your experience with mental health, emotional health and/or trauma resulting in significant life disruption. 

Preferred /Required Education:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.

Driving Requirements:
May be called on to drive for Vinfen using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least one year, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check. If driving, must maintain a safe driving record, which is subject to annual checks. If using a personal vehicle, must possess and maintain adequate insurance.

Physical Effort:
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. 
Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift.
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.

Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.

Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living.

Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed.

Required Certifications:
• CPR required within two weeks of hire.
• First Aid required within two weeks of hire.
• CPSS is required.