Why is working for Community Living more than just a job?
At Community Living, we believe that our first responsibility is to the people who count on us to provide quality support and services – in their homes, workplaces and leisure activities.
We also believe that our employees are our most valuable resource. They participate in extensive training and work well in teams, supporting each other. Many of our staff have spent years working with people with disabilities, and they love their jobs!
Read on if you are interested in learning more about becoming a part of our team.
Is working with people with disabilities for you?
What are the hours and locations of work?
What kind of work would I do?
What are the requirements?
What kind of benefits are there?
What kind of training and orientation can I expect to receive?
What if I have additional questions?
Can I apply online?
Is working with people with disabilities for you?
Working with people with disabilities can be challenging and very rewarding. Do you have a strong work ethic and the right personality to become a staff person in this field?
A basic principle we embrace is that We Work for Them. It is very important that the needs of the people we serve come first. In keeping with that philosophy, you will see the person with a disability referred to in a number of ways: a “participant” of our program or an “individual” served by our programs. In this way, we put the focus on the person, not the disability.
If you have never spent time with a person with a disability, you may not know what to expect at first. We have learned that individuals with mental and physical disabilities have the same wants, needs and desires that we do. Because individuals form a bond with staff and are affected when staff leave, we try to maintain as much stability in staffing as possible. Read more to determine if a job with us is a good fit for you.
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What are the hours and locations of work?
We have over 20 locations in St. Charles County with a variety of schedules for the right employee. Work environments can be anywhere: a person's home, at recreational events, or at the participant's workplace.
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What kind of work would I do?
Some people need assistance with:
- Grocery shopping or cooking
- House cleaning or laundry
- Taking medications
- Personal hygiene
- Eating
- Dressing
We are also committed to helping people with disabilities become a part of their community. This means you may be asked to take people to places like:
- The YMCA, a picnic or a movie
- The bank, the grocery store or the mall
- A volunteer job
- Places of worship
Many of the “tasks” performed by staff are fun for both the individual and the staff person. Staff can suggest activities; however, it is the individual who makes the choice. Supporting individuals with making choices and participating in their communities can be very rewarding and enjoyable work.
While staff need to provide care and support at home, on the job and in the community, there are other aspects of the job that are vitally important, including:
- Reading and writing daily logs, medical logs, progress notes, etc.
- Attending training and staff meetings, which may be at different times than your regularly scheduled shift
- Communicating effectively with coworkers, families and professionals
- Driving either an agency-owned or your own vehicle in the course of your job duties
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What are the requirements?
An applicant to Community Living must meet some basic requirements, as follows:
- Eighteen years of age, minimum
- High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
- Valid driver's license, insurance and acceptable driving record
- Clearances on criminal background and Division of Aging disqualification list
- Pre-employment drug screening
- Flexibility to work varied hours (for some programs)
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What kind of benefits are available?
Benefits are based on whether employment is full-time or part-time. A partial list of benefits is as follows:
Full-Time Benefits
- Health, Life, Dental & Vision Insurance – 100% employer paid!
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays Off or Double Time for Working Holidays
- 401(k) Plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- Direct Deposit
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Referral Bonus
Part-Time Benefits
- Double Time on Holidays
- Paid Time Off
- 401(k) Plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- Direct Deposit
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Referral Bonus
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What kind of training and orientation can I expect to receive?
It is not unusual to feel overwhelmed or unsure at the start of any job. To help you learn the needed skills and feel more confident, there is an extensive training program. A calendar of available training is issued monthly.
Planning your training with your supervisor is important, as classes may be scheduled outside your normal work hours and must be completed within a certain period of time. You are paid to attend training, and it will occur in classroom settings and on the job.
All new staff have questions. It is important to talk to your supervisor, co-workers and the people you support. Teamwork is critical to your success on the job. Use positive communication from the beginning, and your “team” will help you to succeed on the job.
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What if I have additional questions?
If you have more questions, you may email the Community Living Recruiter at dmiller@cliservices.org, or call (636) 970-2800, ext. 3025.
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Can I apply on-line?
If you feel you'd be a good employee and would like to join the Community Living team, please review our Employment Opportunities page.
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