Independent Living Specialist

Job Title: Independent Living Specialist Department: Residential Administration, Non-Direct Care

Reports to: Academic Supervisor FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt

Job Summary:

The Independent Living Specialist will work with foster youth ages 13 through 17 years. These services will be provided with the goal of developing age-appropriate levels of self-sufficiency and independence for each youth and preparing each youth to enter the next phase of life.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Meet with the youth individually and in group settings to provide instruction and facilitate hands-on learning through real-life applications.
• Develop and present life skills lessons in areas such as but not limited to employment, vocational, financial, nutrition, socialization, and community engagement for ages 13 through 17 years old.
• Establish strong working relationships with community organizations that represent different industries to build a network of resources
• Deliver independent living assessments to determine areas of opportunity and build these areas into an ILS plan.
• Functions as a part of a treatment team
• Plan and facilitate creative activities for youth on and off campus that are ILP-related.
• Assist youth in achieving key independent living milestones, including but not limited to driver’s education, employment, and other related skills.
• Responsible for developing a transitional plan with youth who are aging out of foster care.
• Assist the Program Operations Supervisor with event activities, both on and off-site, that are ILP-related
• Responsible for any data collection and reporting as requested by the Program Director and/or CEO in regard to ILP.
• Transport children as needed.
• Participate and provide input as a team member regarding the child’s plan of service and their plan of discharge.
• Other duties assigned
  
  

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to pass a Level 2 FDLE background screen, drug screen, and local background screen upon initial hire and annually thereafter.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and eligibility for acceptance by the company’s insurance carrier.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and make sound, effective decisions during stressful situations.
• Reliable in arriving on time and ready to perform job duties, with flexibility to work all assigned shifts and hours.
• Maintain a professional demeanor to clients, staff, and external parties.
• Must be culturally sensitive and able to communicate effectively and professionally with all levels of personnel and children.
• Strong time-management abilities with a demonstrated capacity to multi-task efficiently.
• Demonstrate proficiency in attentive listening and communication to respond to team and youth’s needs effectively
• Ability to be innovative and creative with programming.
• Must be able to work independently and cohesively with a team in the workplace.
• Strong problem-solving skills, capable of finding effective solutions to challenges as they arise.
• Ability to plan, start, execute, and follow through with projects
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with all employees while complying with EEOC rules and accepting constructive feedback from management in a professional manner.
  
  

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma required.
• A bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or a related field is highly preferred. In the absence of a degree, equivalent work experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 1 year experience working with independent living is highly preferred.
• 2-3 years of Child Welfare or working with at-risk youth preferred
  
  

Physical Requirements:

• The ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking and climbing stairs
• Frequent stooping, kneeling and reaching
• Frequent use of hands and fingers
• The ability to hear and respond quickly to sounds
• The ability to communicate effectively with others
• Close, distance and peripheral vision
  
  

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