Independent Living Advocate

About Action Toward Independence, Inc. (ATI) Action Toward Independence, Inc. is a Center for Independent Living, established in 1988, which provides services to people with disabilities primarily in Orange and Sullivan Counties. ATI promotes the independence, inclusion, participation and personal choice of individuals with disabilities of all ages, in all environments. Position Summary Under general supervision by the Program Manager, the Independent Living Advocate is responsible for all aspects of consumer advocacy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Inform consumers and family members about community services that are available and/or assist to develop a transition plan to help them live more independently. Assist consumers, as appropriate, in applying for community services.
• Assist consumers in developing self-advocacy skills. Provide individual advocacy and assist consumers in advocating for themselves at hearings, administrative reviews and appeals, as necessary.
• Serve as a liaison to link consumers with any needed services if/when they are in the hospital or other health care facility. Provide peer counseling to consumers and family members.
• Represent ATI on various Committees and Task Forces that are relevant to mental health advocacy, at the discretion of the Executive Director. Complete all reporting and record keeping in a timely manner, as required.
• Maintain appropriate interpersonal relationships with consumers, staff and peers. Perform additional duties as deemed necessary or relevant to the scope of the position, at the discretion of the Executive Director.
• Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum of 2 years equivalent experience or appropriate combination of skills, experience and education. Demonstrated commitment to disability rights and the philosophy of independent living.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills. Knowledge of and ability to work with community resources. Significant personal experience with disability.
• Self-directing, exceptional organizational skills and ability to work independently. Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Willingness to participate in continuing education, where applicable to the job duties, performance or professional growth.
• Bi-lingual Preferred Qualifications
• Qualified person with a disability. Experience working in the independent living field; familiarity with ADA and ADAAA.
• Computer proficiency and experience documenting in a computer database system. Updated: 6/5/18 V.S. Physical Demands & Work Environment The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential job functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Physical Demands: While performing this position, the employee is occasionally required to stand, sit, walk, use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and talk or hear. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 lbs.
• Work Environment: While performing the duties of this position, the employee may be exposed to electronic equipment, including: computers, printers, fax machines, copy machines and cleaning equipment. Employees are to take all precautions while in these environments. The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate and limited to voices and office/cleaning equipment

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.50 - $19.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift

Ability to Commute:

• Monticello, NY (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Monticello, NY: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19 - $19