Volunteer - Sunland Campus

Volunteer Position

This position is an unpaid position under the direction of the various staff members who have leadership authority. Program volunteers provide support services under the supervision of the Instructor, Master Instructor, Client Coordinator and the Program Director.

Volunteers are scheduled to work directly with clients between the hours of 9:30a.m. to 3:30pm, Monday through Friday. Regular weekly schedules are preferred. There is flexibility to the hours above depending on the program. Volunteer must call at least one hour before the scheduled time if unable to attend that day.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting clients with activities on campus or in the community. This may include training in various skills, recreation, the arts, and other program activities.
• Volunteers may also, or instead of direct client support, assist in the area of gallery reception and programming, special event or project support, program site supports.
• Tutoring individual clients in academic areas such as reading and/or personal areas of interest.
• Supporting individuals who might need extra attention with what they are working on.
• Providing assistance in communication and social skills for individuals who are non-verbal, or whose primary language is other than English.
• Understanding and supporting the individual learning programs that are in place for the people we serve.
• Encouraging self-advocacy and choice making opportunities.
• Being aware of possible safety concerns and communicating them to program staff.
• Communicating any needs or concerns to Instructor, Master Instructor and/or Program Director.

Universal Skills and Characteristics of Tierra del Sol Employees and Volunteers:

• Establish positive, supportive, respectful relationships/interactions with clients.
• Become knowledgeable about the clients' interests, unique abilities and support needs.
• Demonstrate motivation and enthusiasm in all interactions with clients.
• Encourage active participation of clients in all activities (allow them to do as much for themselves as possible).
• Interact with community members in a way that encourages respectful, age-appropriate treatment of clients, and the building of mutually respectful relationships.
• Maintain a sense of calmness/maturity/professionalism when interacting with clients, co-workers, and community members.
• Clearly communicate with supervisors/co-workers, and pro-actively address questions/concerns.
• Develop positive/respectful relationships with families, and outside agency staff. This includes the ability to be empathetic and sensitive to issues/stressors/external factors that may impede the parent/care provider's ability to support clients in a way which matches Tierra's philosophy. This also includes the ability to be assertive, and to advocate for client needs/rights without being aggressive.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the "big picture" and long-term outcomes for clients, with an understanding that an intensive intervention process may need to be implemented, rather than settling for a "quick fix".
• Demonstrate an ability to assess and problem-solve a situation in the moment, using good judgment and common sense, without having to seek guidance/advice.
• Accept, and effectively process directions, constructive feedback, and training from any leadership/mentor staff, then demonstrate in action/written product that this was internalized.

Qualifications: Experience and/or interest in working with individuals with developmental disabilities. Must have the ability to take direction from instructors and Program Director and demonstrate clear communication skills. Must pass a TB and fingerprint clearance.

Physical Requirements of the Position: The physical demands described here are representative of those a volunteer encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of the job, the volunteer is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, reach using feet, legs, back, arm and hands, and see, talk and hear. Ability to use fingers, hands, arms to handle, lift, control a variety of objects and tools is also required. Volunteer must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close/distance/color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a volunteer encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. May encounter a moderate to high stress work pace. Volunteers may be exposed to emotional extremes in dealing with clients. Volunteers may be required to work in hot/cold weather extremes (outdoors in sun/wind/rain). Volunteers may be exposed to pollens, animal dander, odors, blood, feces, saliva, and solutions used for cleaning/disinfecting. Most individuals in this fast-paced environment must perform multiple tasks, and be self-motivated. Noise level is moderate to high. Dress code must comply with professional community/work site standards, as well as safety considerations; i.e. conservative street attire/hairstyle, including: closed-toe shoes, no dangling earrings, and no prominent body piercing/tattoos. Corporate culture is friendly and goal oriented.

Who We Are: Tierra Del Sol Foundation is the leading provider of independent living, job training and support services for people with developmental disabilities. We strive to help adults with developmental disabilities to reach their goals through supportive education, family and community building.