Independent Living Specialist

Independent Living Specialist

The Independent Living Specialist (I.L.S.) is under the supervision of the Director of IL and Transition and will collaborate with other members of the RICV team to provide person centered service delivery to people with disabilities to live more independent and inclusive lives. Direct services may include housing, peer support, independent living skills, benefits planning, transition support, and self-advocacy training. The individual in this position should be self-motivated, compassionate, a problem solver, friendly, and a team player.

Essential duties include gaining knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities act, (ADA), the Olmstead Act, and successfully completing the ABCs of Nursing Home Transition course & other required RICV training. Develop and maintain relationships with local institutional settings through networking, community outreach, workshops, and presentations. Support the Peer Support Group by participating in the planning and delivery of the activities. Make consumers, caregivers, service providers and other community partners aware of these opportunities. Work in collaboration with the consumer and RICV team members to provide high level service delivery and support that is consumer controlled, person-centered, and aligned with the independent living philosophy. Develop thorough person-centered plans and independent living plans for each consumer to ensure successful service delivery. Influence, lead, and guide in individual and systems change advocacy efforts to increase access to services and programs for people with disabilities. Participate and organize educational activities to promote awareness of TBI and Core services available through RICV. Gather and organize information on a wide range of resources and maintain information in ready-reference format. Network with other professionals in the field of disability throughout the state. Build and maintain relationships with consumers and community partners in both urban and rural areas. Develop and maintain a list of RICV contacts in relation to community connections resulting from outreach and networking efforts in the RICV database. Assist in the development of annual program goals. Complete all necessary consumer intakes and service notes as well as other required database entries in a timely manner in the RICV database. Prepare reports in an accurate and timely manner as required by the funding source. Become familiar with resources available to people with disabilities in all 5 Counties and statewide. Participate in community organizing efforts to accomplish statewide and local network advocacy goals. Educate consumers and the community on how laws, policies, and regulations may impact the independence of people with disabilities. Carry out other duties as assigned.

Desired qualifications include one year of college and at least three years' experience working in social services. Experience may be substituted for education on a year-to-year basis. Previous knowledge or motivation to learn of The Independent Living movement and philosophy. Personal experience with a disability preferred. Previous knowledge of working with people with disabilities is a plus. Strong communication, collaboration, organizational, time-management, and people skills. Ability to work in an ever changing, fast-paced, creative environment. Experience and a high comfort level with speaking in front of groups both in person and in a virtual setting. Ability to learn quickly. Skilled in use of Microsoft Office suite of products Word, Outlook, Power Point, and Excel. Skilled in use of Google Suite of products Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Forms. Ability to effectively present information to consumers and their family, staff, local, and state agencies, and public groups about RICV Services, Programs and issues relating to barriers and other challenges affecting people with disabilities. Willingness to learn new skills. Ability to travel throughout the RICV catchment area of Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced, and Tulare Counties as assigned by management.

Resources for Independence Central Valley is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. Resources for Independence Central Valley is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and employment for people with disabilities.