LIFE SKILLS ADVISOR 

JOB DESCRIPTION

GENERAL SUMMARY: Provide individual/systems advocacy and Independent Living skills across multiple age ranges from students to adults. Delivery of services in various settings; including class room, small groups or individually.

Contributes to the organization’s mission of advocating for the needs of persons with disabilities and collaborating with organizations that provide services for individuals and families who have disabilities to remove individual and system barriers and improve independence.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

1. Education and training required: Associate degree in a human services or related field of study with Bachelor’s degree preferred. Personal experience with disability and/or knowledge of disability issues and the consumer/community-based IL philosophy. Must possess excellent communication, writing and computer skills.

• Work Experience Required: 2-3 years of work experience in related field. Experience with management, leadership and organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple tasks, prioritize work effectively and use judgment and discretion in decision-making. Must have a commitment to and ability for continuous improvement and mastery of the relevant body of knowledge related to this position.
• Personal Experience: Prefer person living with disability and knowledge of disability issues and the consumer/community-based Independent Living philosophy.
• Must have a driver's license to reach various sites.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coach individuals from diverse backgrounds, on a cross-disability basis, as they develop independent living (IL) plans, set goals, monitor and move toward greater independence.

• Support individuals as they navigate systems and coordinate services, based on referrals and resources to meet their IL goals.

• Develop Independent Living Plans with the participant(s) based on independent living skill resources to youth and adults with disabilities.

• Educate individuals, parents/families on how to navigate systems and coordinate services based

on Independent Living goals.

• Promote the IL philosophy in the community.
• Provide skill-training/modeling to consumers individually, in group or in classroom settings. Training includes but is not limited to career/job development, money management, daily living skills, household management, mobility, peer support, self and individual advocacy, assertiveness, and socialization.

• Research and become educated on individual and systems advocacy opportunities.

·    Become educated on Skills to Pay the Bills curriculum to help students develop soft skills needed in the work place and independent living.

Coordinate student sessions with area teachers.

Work closely with supervisor in developing materials in administering programs.

·     Participate in and complete Motivational Interviewing Training. Utilize MI in practice.

·     Perform other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL SKILL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION:

• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication as well as good computer skills.
• Complete Motivation Interviewing Training when available

WAGE RANGE: $18-$20/hr

Please submit resume and written references to HR@disabilityconnect.org by Friday October 27, 2023.