Independent Living Specialist

Part-Time Independent Living Specialist Information & Resource Referral Employment Type: Part-Time Openings Available: Two Expected Schedule: Approximately 24 hours per week Pay Range: $14.00–$16.00 per hour Location: Macon, Georgia Work Setting: On-site at the Disability Connections Main Office

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Disability Connections is seeking dependable, resourceful, and compassionate Part-Time Independent Living Specialists to serve as frontline Information and Resource Referral professionals. This position connects people with disabilities, families, professionals, and community partners with accurate and useful information about disability-related services, programs, benefits, and community resources. This is more than answering telephone calls. You will listen carefully, identify what the person is requesting, research available options, explain information clearly, document the interaction, and support the person in deciding what steps they want to take. Information and Resource Referral—often called I&R—is one of the federally required core services provided by Centers for Independent Living.

IMPORTANT: THIS IS NOT A DIRECT-CARE POSITION

This is a professional communication, resource-navigation, documentation, and Independent Living position. Independent Living Specialists do not provide: Personal care or attendant services Bathing, dressing, toileting, or feeding assistance Medication administration Nursing or medical care Housekeeping or routine household assistance Lifting or transferring individuals Residential supervision or shift-based caregiving Instead of performing tasks for people, our staff work alongside people with disabilities as they identify options, make informed choices, advocate for themselves, and direct their own lives.

ABOUT DISABILITY CONNECTIONS

Disability Connections is a disability-led Center for Independent Living serving people of all ages and disability types throughout Middle Georgia. Our work is grounded in consumer control, accessibility, self-determination, informed choice, respect, and the dignity of risk. We believe people with disabilities are the experts on their own lives and should direct their goals, services, choices, and personal information. Our workplace is active, collaborative, and mission-driven. Staff members work across programs and office locations while supporting one another and sharing knowledge.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Information and Resource Referral Respond professionally and respectfully to telephone calls, emails, online inquiries, and visitors seeking disability-related information or resources. Listen carefully and ask appropriate questions to understand what the person is requesting. Provide accurate and understandable information about community resources, services, benefits, and opportunities. Research unfamiliar questions rather than guessing or providing unverified information. Present available options without directing or pressuring a person’s decision. Support people in determining their own next steps. Provide information in plain language and accessible formats when needed. Complete appropriate follow-up when additional research or communication is required. Requests may involve: Durable medical equipment Home modifications Accessible or affordable housing Transportation Disability benefits and benefits-planning resources Medicaid and community-based waiver programs Assistive technology Employment and vocational rehabilitation Independent Living skills Youth transition Nursing-home transition and institutional diversion Peer support and advocacy Emergency and basic-needs resources Other disability-related services and community supports Documentation and Referral Coordination Document inquiries, resources provided, referrals, follow-up needs, and outcomes accurately and on time. Search for existing consumer records before creating new records. Enter information into approved consumer-record, communication, and project-management systems. Recognize when a person may need direct services from Disability Connections and notify the appropriate Team Lead or program staff. Route requests for equipment, home modifications, transition services, advocacy, or other organizational services through the correct internal process. Maintain organized records while avoiding unnecessary duplication. Update resource information when an agency, program, telephone number, website, or eligibility requirement changes. Identify closed, outdated, inaccurate, or inaccessible resources so information can be corrected. Independent Living and Team Support Promote consumer control, informed choice, self-advocacy, accessibility, and community participation. Treat each person with dignity and respect their right to make informed choices and take reasonable risks. Work cooperatively with Independent Living Coordinators, Team Leads, expansion-office staff, and leadership. Share relevant information with teammates while protecting confidential information. Participate in staff meetings, training, outreach activities, and resource-development projects as assigned. Assist with accessible forms, resource guides, outreach materials, and community information. Refer programmatic, financial, eligibility, legal, medical, or service decisions to authorized staff. Avoid making promises about services, funding, eligibility, or assistance that have not been approved.

WHO WILL THRIVE IN THIS POSITION

You may be a strong fit if you: Communicate warmly, clearly, and respectfully by telephone, email, text, and in person. Are a patient and attentive listener. Enjoy researching questions and locating reliable information. Can explain complicated information in understandable language. Are comfortable speaking with people who may be frustrated, overwhelmed, or experiencing an urgent need. Can organize multiple requests and follow through on unfinished work. Document information accurately and pay attention to details. Know when you can answer a routine question and when it should be referred to another staff member. Are comfortable using computers, email, online databases, and communication or project-management platforms. Can learn new systems and accessibility practices. Work well as part of a team while completing assigned responsibilities independently. Exercise good judgment when handling confidential or sensitive information. Respect people with different disabilities, backgrounds, identities, experiences, and communication styles. Believe people with disabilities should have control over their own lives, goals, services, and choices.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

A high school diploma or GED is required. College education is welcomed but is not required. Experience in Information and Resource Referral, customer service, community resources, disability services, peer support, advocacy, nonprofit work, office administration, or telephone-based communication is valuable. Relevant experience may come from employment, volunteer service, community involvement, advocacy, education, or lived experience. Personal experience with disability is strongly valued. Knowledge of Middle Georgia resources is beneficial but not required. Training will be provided on Independent Living philosophy, organizational procedures, documentation systems, community resources, confidentiality, and accessibility. We welcome candidates whose abilities were developed through lived experience, employment, education, volunteer service, community leadership, or a combination of these experiences.

WHAT DISABILITY CONNECTIONS OFFERS

Meaningful, mission-driven work A collaborative and supportive team Training and professional development Opportunities to learn about disability rights, accessibility, community resources, and Independent Living services Mileage reimbursement for approved work-related travel Reasonable workplace accommodations

ACCESSIBLE APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW OPTIONS

Disability Connections values lived experience with disability and strongly encourages qualified people with disabilities to apply. Reasonable accommodations and alternative accessible formats are available throughout the application and interview process. Applicants may request an accessible interview method or another reasonable accommodation without negatively affecting their consideration.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND DISABILITY-LED EMPLOYMENT

Disability Connections is an equal-opportunity employer committed to the affirmative recruitment, employment, retention, and advancement of qualified people with disabilities. Qualified applicants will be considered without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or another status protected by applicable law. As a federally recognized Center for Independent Living, Disability Connections operates according to disability-led principles. Qualified individuals with disabilities—including people from disability communities that have historically been unserved or underrepresented—are especially encouraged to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr Disability Connections