Independent Living Support Specialist

Independent Living Support Specialist/$20.00 per hour

Monday-Thursday 12pm-8pm & Saturday 12pm-8pm at 40 hours, Pembroke (Onsite)

Summary of Position:

The Independent Living Support Specialist supports people receiving Independent Living Services in building and maintaining practical skills and competencies that promote self-determination, community inclusion, personal safety, independence, and daily functioning in their homes and communities. Services are individualized and tailored to meet each person's unique needs, preferences, and goals, as identified in the Individual Support Plan (ISP).


The Independent Living Support Specialist provides individualized support and assistance in each person's home and community settings, including support with the acquisition, practice, retention, and improvement of daily living skills, advocacy, health and safety practices, and applicable clinical and programmatic requirements. This position works collaboratively with individuals, families, guardians, team members, and community providers while maintaining required documentation and complying with New England Village policies and procedures and applicable funding agency, programmatic, and state and local requirements.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Budgeting and money management.
• Meal planning, grocery shopping, and food preparation.
• Scheduling, coordinating, and attending appointments.
• Household management and maintenance.
• Communication and interpersonal relationship development.
• Navigating community transportation and promoting safety awareness.
• Self-advocacy and accessing community resources.

Essential Responsibilities:

Individualized Supports and Functional Skill Development

• Provide individualized support and assistance that helps each person acquire, practice, retain, and improve the functional skills needed to live independently and maintain a home of their choosing.

• Support goals identified in the ISP using approaches tailored to each person that promote choice, dignity, self-determination, and human rights.

• Use modeling, guided practice, prompting, and other individualized strategies to support skill acquisition, retention, and increased independence.

• Provide support in areas that may include personal care routines, health and wellness, household management, communication, interpersonal relationships, personal safety, and community participation.

• Encourage decision-making, problem-solving, goal setting, self-advocacy, and informed choice across daily activities.

Independent Living and Community Access

• Provide support and assistance with budgeting, money management, benefits awareness, banking, and other activities that promote informed financial decision-making and independence.

• Assist with meal planning, grocery shopping, nutrition, food preparation, and practices that support healthy lifestyles.

• Provide support and assistance with household organization, cleaning, maintenance, and other routines necessary to establish and maintain a safe and healthy home.

• Assist individuals with scheduling, coordinating, preparing for, and attending medical and other appointments as identified in the Individual Service Plan.
• Support individuals in accessing and safely navigating public, private, and other community transportation options.

• Assist individuals with identifying and accessing community resources, healthcare services, employment supports, educational opportunities, recreational activities, and other resources that enhance independence and quality of life.

• Encourage meaningful community participation, social connections, and the development of natural supports.

Communication, Documentation, and Collaboration

• Collaborate with individuals, families, guardians, supervisors, and interdisciplinary team members to implement and monitor ISP goals.
• Observe and communicate relevant changes, concerns, progress, and support needs related to health, safety, behavior, social functioning, or other areas of service.
• Complete and maintain accurate, objective, and timely service notes, data collection records, progress information, and other required documentation.
• Communicate professionally and respectfully with coworkers, healthcare providers, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Attend meetings, supervision sessions, trainings, and other scheduled activities as required.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, organizational policy, and applicable program requirements.

Safety and Professional Responsibilities

• Display a positive and professional approach when interacting with others, promote cooperation and teamwork, and contribute to a work environment that embraces and respects diversity.
• Maintain composure during conflict or stressful situations and adapt approaches as appropriate to support constructive solutions.
• Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to self-improvement, effective time and resource management, and professional growth.
• Work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Follow all health, safety, emergency, and crisis prevention procedures, including individualized protocols and required reporting practices.

• Maintain all required certifications and trainings throughout employment.

• Deliver services in a culturally sensitive, respectful, and responsive manner.

• Use sound judgment, maintain appropriate professional boundaries, and seek supervisory guidance when needed.
• Perform other related responsibilities as necessary or as requested by the supervisor.

The description above represents the most significant responsibilities of this position but does not exclude other occasional work assignments that are consistent with the nature and scope of the position.

Reporting Relationship

• Reports to the designated supervisor.

Knowledge and Experience Required

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• Previous experience supporting people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, providing community-based services, or supporting the development and maintenance of independent living skills preferred.
• Must obtain and maintain certification in First Aid, CPR, QBS Safety-Care, and MAP. MAP certification must be obtained within the first three months of employment and maintained throughout employment.

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required for community-based service delivery.

Skills and Abilities Required

• Ability to work independently in community and home-based settings while maintaining communication with the supervisor and service team.

• Strong observation, judgment, problem-solving, organization, and time management skills.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to complete clear, accurate, and timely documentation.

• Ability to build respectful, professional relationships and provide support that promotes dignity, choice, and independence.

• Ability to implement ISP goals, individualized support strategies, safety procedures, and individualized protocols.
• Basic computer skills, including email, electronic documentation, and organizational systems such as ADP, Shiftboard, and applicable medication administration documentation systems.

• Comfort working with confidential information and maintaining HIPAA compliance.

• New England Village is a non-smoking facility.

Why work here?

Do work that matters. Make a difference in the world. We offer training!

NEV values its employees and offers a comprehensive and generous benefit package that includes:

• 403b with company match
• Health, Vision, Dental with generous contribution toward medical insurance premiums, eligible for all employees scheduled to work 30 hours per week or more
• Flexible Savings Account and HRA
• Employer Paid Life, AD&D, and LTD
• Tuition Remission Program and Tuition Reimbursement program
• Free on-site gym with pool, free wellness classes (yoga, Zumba, and more!)
• Generous Paid Time Off for work-life balance