Empowerment - Family Support Specialist - FT - GLOW

Start a fulfilling career that makes a difference in the lives of people with disabilities and their families. We have a variety of full and part-time jobs available and are looking for candidates who are eager to learn. Our employees receive a range of benefits including health insurance, company-paid life insurance, 401K, generous paid time-off and continuing education support!

Summary:
The Family Support Specialist provides direct services to families in the areas of educational advocacy, family/caregiver support and self-advocacy.

Essential Functions:

• Meet with families to discuss school services and their educational goals for their child.
• Attend school meetings and provide support to families and students during those meetings.
• Conduct school visits and collaborate with school team.
• Provide additional resources related to educational services as needed and appropriate.
• Be a resource to student’s team as they facilitate the transition from school to adult services.
• Develop educational materials and programming for families related to school related topics.
• Promote advocacy skills for person with a disability and their family members.
• Facilitate self-advocacy meetings and group activities.
• Develop connection with outside agencies and program relevant to self-advocacy and active community participation.
• Develop educational materials and programming for families and persons with disabilities related to self-advocacy.
• Provide family training, support and planning to address parent/child interactions, helping to alleviate stressors and challenges within home.
• Meet with families to discuss concerns at home and create a plan to address them.
• Be a resource to a person’s team as they address person’s and caregiver needs.
• Develop educational materials and programming for caregivers related to relevant topics.
• Complete training and research to become and remain informed concerning resources, services and topics relevant to above assigned tasks.
• Comply with all documentation and reporting requirements by agency and funding sources.
• Conducts self in such a manner as to meet agency policies and standards defined in the Arc GLOW employee handbook.
• Ability to work in a variety of settings that include: office, private homes, school districts and community organizations.
• Upholds and promotes the mission, vision and values of Arc GLOW
• Performs any other duties as deemed necessary by chain of command.

Non-Essential functions:

• Participate on agency meetings and committees as assigned

Reporting Responsibilities: Reports to Director of Community Services
Supervisory Responsibilities: None exercised

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Excellent proficiency with computers.
• Able to handle multiple priorities.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Able to communicate effectively with staff, management and other outside personnel.
• Maintain composure under pressure.
• Ensure quality service at all times.
• Punctuality and attendance at work when scheduled is expected.

Working Conditions:

• On site in an office setting.
• Frequent travel to off-site locations including schools, personal residences and program sites.
• May require occasional evening and weekend work.
• Requires use of personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to assist individuals with ambulation and to move chairs, tables and access storage areas.
• Ability to use standard office equipment including personal computer, phone, fax, copier etc.
• Ability to drive a vehicle.
• Ability to speak, listen and sit.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds, and to stand, sit, kneel, and stoop
• Ability to assist an adult with personal care needs
• Be physically able to assist individuals in transferring from wheelchair to another seat when needed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in Human Services or related field with one year experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities, OR high school diploma with comparable experience with individuals with disabilities.
• This position requires a valid NYS driver’s license with an acceptable driving record as determined by Arc GLOW.