OPTIONS Student Life Support Staff

Job Description

Job Description

OPTIONS Support Staff

Position Overview :

The OPTIONS Support Staff is ultimately responsible for the direct one-on-one service to the students in OPTIONS. These positions fill the roles that directly support the goals and objectives tied to the independent living portion of OPTIONS. These positions require staff to be flexible and able to use good judgment in the moment in order to facilitate optimal learning and progress for individual student growth and skill attainment.

Essential Responsibilities :

• Flexibility on work times, but predominately weekend hours with a possibility of some evening hours.
• Implement the Personal Development Record (PDR) system as designed, and/or assign consequences to students for behaviors.
• Overall supervision and implementation of the students' activities of daily living.
• Assist the students in the completion of daily homework assignments during designated times.
• Assist the students in identifying the learning and active study strategies that they are to implement.
• Assist the student in advocating for assistance and identifying homework assignments and tasks to complete.
• Assist in the weekly student implementation of menu planning, preparation, and grocery shopping, staff should complete appropriate corresponding documentation.
• Oversee the students and provide corresponding instruction in the apartments during cooking times, noting progress and performance in the corresponding documents.
• Ensure that students in the program maintain the appropriate standard of living by overseeing the implementation of daily chores. Staff should complete appropriate documentation as it relates to chore completion.
• Implement a recreation program with students.
• Confirm that students are signed up for the appropriate amount of activities each week, that the proper forms are filled out, and that corresponding documentation is completed.
• Evaluate student progress and performance in the residential setting.
• Ensure that students are making adequate progress and acquiring independent living objectives.
• Document student progress and performance using the given system (logs, computer notes, etc.)
• Complete administrative tasks such as checking emails daily when working and completing time cards
• Other duties as assigned

Required Skills :

• Knowledge of policies, protocols, systems, and procedures established to enhance student programming
• Ability to lead and engage in interactive problem-solving
• Ability to model and teach age-appropriate social skills
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to generate thorough and concise written documentation as it pertains to student progress and performance and/ or programming needs
• Excellent time management and follow-through skills
• Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries with students

Education :

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Actively working toward a degree in a social services field or recreation field preferred
• Experience may be substituted for education

Experience :

• One year or more of experience as a direct service provider for young adults with learning disabilities and/or mental health issues.

Physical Requirements :

• The position is very active and may require frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, climbing and lifting
• Staff will need to be able to clean at a designated time each year
• Staff may be asked to participate in some physical recreational activities, on an as-needed basis

Working Conditions :

• Indoors and outdoors, on and off campus
• 10-Month, academic year with a potential of 12-Months
• Monday through Friday - Hours will fluctuate between mornings and evenings
• Sunday and Saturday - Hours will fluctuate between mornings, days, and evenings
• Holiday hours during the academic year when students are on campus

Travel :

• No travel away from home required

Conditions of Employment :

• Ability to pass a criminal background check
• Ability to pass a driving background check
• Valid Illinois driver's license
• Valid vehicle insurance
• Ability to maintain a clean driving record
• Ability to maintain a valid Illinois driver's license