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Life Skills Advisor

disAbility Connnections, Inc.
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disAbility CONNECTIONS, INC.

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

POSITION: Life Skills Advisor

 

SUPERVISOR: Director of Services

 

GENERAL SUMMARY: Provide individual/systems advocacy and Independent Living skills across multiple age ranges from students to adults.  Delivery of services in various settings; including classroom, small groups or individually.

Contributes to the organization’s mission of advocating for the needs of persons with disabilities and collaborating with organizations that provide services for individuals and families who have disabilities to remove individual and system barriers and improve independence.

 

 

Qualifications and Requirements

  1. Education and training required:  Associate degree in human services or related field of study with Bachelor’s degree preferred.  Personal experience with disability and/or knowledge of disability issues and the consumer/community-based IL philosophy.  Must possess excellent communication, writing and computer skills.
  2. Work Experience Required: 2-3 years of work experience in related field.  Experience with management, leadership and organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple tasks, prioritize work effectively and use judgment and discretion in decision-making.  Must have a commitment to and ability for continuous improvement and mastery of the relevant body of knowledge related to this position.
  3. Personal Experience: Prefer person living with disability and knowledge of disability issues and the consumer/community-based Independent Living philosophy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Coach individuals from diverse backgrounds, on a cross-disability basis, as they develop independent living (IL) plans, set goals, monitor and move toward greater independence.
  • Support individuals as they navigate systems and coordinate services, based on referrals and resources to meet their IL goals.
  • Develop Independent Living Plans with the participant(s) based on independent living skill resources to youth and adults with disabilities.
  •  Educate individuals, parents/families on how to navigate systems and coordinate services based on Independent Living goals.
  • Research and become educated on individual and systems advocacy opportunities.
  • Become educated on Skills to Pay the Bills curriculum to help students develop soft skills needed in the workplace and independent living
  • Outreach to schools, parent groups, and other organizations as suggested to discuss programs and discuss potential presentations.
  • Coordinate student sessions with area teachers
  • Work closely with supervisor in developing materials in administering programs
  • Participate in and complete Motivational Interviewing Training.  Utilize MI in practice.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
  • Promote the IL philosophy in the community.
  • Provide skill-training/modeling to consumers individually, in group or in classroom settings.  Training includes but is not limited to career/job development, money management, daily living skills, household management, mobility, peer support, self and individual advocacy, assertiveness, and socialization

 

IMPORTANT SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS

  • Enhances the image of disAbility Connections in person, by telephone, and in written communication. An effective communicator. Attentive and respectful of others; a good listener. Uses professional demeanor face to face, written or telephone contact.
  • Completes all reports by deadline, including but not limited to: timesheets, expense reports, monthly activity reports, billings, and grant applications.
  • A Solid Contributor. A productive and conscientious worker who takes on a fair share of the workload. Takes initiative to assist others during periods of less intense workload. Is                                                                             helpful when special projects require additional work.
  • Completes and maintains all Consumer Services Records in compliance with the Federal Quality Assurance Standards and Indicators in the required data collection tools.
  • Maintains a positive working relationship with consumers, co-workers, referral sources, and others to encourage positive relationships. Arrives at job, appointments, meetings, on time and prepared.
  • Articulates the disAbility Connections, Inc. mission, IL goals and accurately describes its program services and outcomes.
  • Models integrity, personal and professional ethics and maintains confidential consumer information in adherence to applicable HIPAA guidelines.
  • Maintains a neat and orderly office.
  • Demonstrate resourcefulness, initiative, and follow through as required for the effective delivery of disAbility Connections services.
  •  Meet outcomes listed in the Fiscal Year Work Plan as outlined in the disAbility Connections Performance Evaluation.

 

ADDITIONAL SKILL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION:

  • Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication as well as good computer skills.
  • Complete Motivation Interviewing Training when available

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This job requires the ability to perform the essential duties contained in this job description. Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these physical requirements.  These include but are not limited to the following requirements.

 

  • Ability to enter and retrieve information into the computer.
  • Ability to bend, and reach office files, materials and equipment.
  • Ability to make and receive telephone calls.
  • Ability to travel to and from assigned work location(s).

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

 

Works in office conditions and travels in the communities we serve (Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties) to attend meetings, conduct workshops and other activities related to disAbility Connections, Inc. mission.

 

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, and effort or working conditions associated with the position.  While it is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, disAbility Connections reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.

 

This is a nonexempt; full time position at 40 hours per week.

 

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter at info@disabilityconnect.org.