Independent Living Services Coordinator

Why a career with Independence First?

When you join Independence First you will be part of a collaborative and passionate team. You will also enjoy lucrative benefits! Independence First was selected as one of Milwaukee Business Journal's Best Places to Work in 2022 and 2023.

Independence First is looking for awesome people to join our team!

You are just the person to join our growing team if you are...

• Looking for an Excellent Benefits Package

• Passionate About Helping Others

• Prefer Bilingual in English, Spanish, Hmong or Russian (Not required)

Benefits include:

• • 12 sick days, 13 vacation days and an additional 12 paid holidays a year

• Employer paid Dental, Life Insurance (twice annual salary), AD&D, Short and Long Term Disability

• Health Insurance Benefits (partially employer paid, depending on coverage)

• Low-cost Vision Insurance

• Employer-matched 403(b) Retirement Account

• Fitness Center On-site

• Annual Health Risk Assessment

• Annual Flu Shot

• Comprehensive Wellness Program

• Tuition Reimbursement Program

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position: Independent Living Services Coordinator

Status: Full Time, Hourly

Reports to: Independent Living Services Assistant Program Director

Position Summary: Responsible for activities related to the Life Skills Classes and Community Workshops with a focus on these activities as they relate to fee-for-service referrals. Responsible for completing documentation and submitting reports when classes and workshops are taught on an individual, group, or on a fee-for-service basis. Provide back-up coverage/support to other programs within the department (e.g. AT, I&R, Benefits Counseling etc.) as needed.

Position Expected Hours of Work: This is a Full-Time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, however there may be some variability in the weekly schedule due to consumer need driven by agency need. Occasional evenings and weekends. Staff is expected to be able to work in the office, remotely, or a hybrid of both, during regular business hours.

Independent Living Services Essential Functions of the Position:

• Facilitate self-assessment and identification of independent living related services needs of the consumer.

• Facilitate the development of independent living goals with the consumer. Regularly revisits these goals, updating as needed and noting progress.

• Promote self-advocacy by teaching individuals how to access services, assert their rights, and obtain funding for the purpose of reaching their goals.

• Provide independent living skills instruction on an individual, group, or on a fee-for-service basis.

• Participate in outreach/recruitment activities related to skills classes and presentations as assigned.

• Provide information, referral and training to consumers and the community in the Independence First service area on independent living issues and services.

• Facilitate agency's peer support efforts in Milwaukee County.

• Provide consumers, businesses, and community organizations with assistance regarding the ADA, IDEA, Fair Housing Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (501-504), etc.

• Develop and maintain appropriate collaborative relationships with other organizations/service providers to enhance the goals of independent living.

• Participate as a member of the Independent Living Services team by attending agency meetings and events.

• Obtain the necessary cross-training to be able to provide back-up coverage/support for other programs and functions within the department.

• Complete agency required documentation in agency database.

• Complete agency and vendor required documentation, including documentation related to fee-for-service activities.

Disability Policy Change Essential Functions of the Position:

• Participate in individual and systems advocacy activities by voicing opinion at public hearings and educating public officials through letter writing or other appropriate means on issues relating to independent living.

• Actively participant in agency advocacy team.

• Present testimony on disability issues by writing, email, and fax, in person testimony to legislative bodies on the local, state and federal levels. This includes contacting congresspersons, senators and giving opinions on pending legislation.

• Assist consumers with their advocacy needs.

• Participate in Disability Policy Change Events.

Work Environment

• Work environment is generally performed in an office setting with minimal to moderate noise level.

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer:

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principle functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation.

As an Independent Living Center, it is required that 51% of Independence First's staff have a disability. Independence First is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people with disabilities to apply for this position.

Experience and Skills:

Professional Qualifications

• Must have a firm belief in consumer control, the independent living philosophy and our agency Vision Statement:

• Independence First is for full inclusion of persons with disabilities in every aspect of our community and Independence First commits itself toward this end.

• 'Empowerment is part psychological, part social, and part political. It is the process by which individuals define their own problems, find their own voice, develop their own

plans, act on their own behalf, and claim their own power.'

• 'Empowerment means more than having responsibility, but also having the authority and ability to make one's own choices.'

• Bachelor's degree in related field or life experience may be substituted in lieu of, in full or part of academic requirements.

• Good communications skills.

• Good computer skills, knowledge of MS Word products, specifically, Word, EXCEL, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

• Demonstrated positive attitude, reliability, a self-starter who assumes responsibility when warranted, is conscientious, professional in manner and hard working.

• Knowledge of federal, state and community services and funding resources.

• Knowledge of disability rights legislation including the ADA, Rehabilitation Act, IDEA, etc.

• Transportationally mobile or able to arrange own transportation.

• Must be able to work occasional weekends and evening hours.

• Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision required.

• Cheerfully and willingly accepts new assignments and projects.