Life Skills Mentor

The Life Skills Mentor provides teaching of community, virtual, and facility based programming to adults with developmental, intellectual, and/or physical disabilities, that promotes the independence and soft skills needed to reach participants personal goals. 

RESPONSIBILITY LEVEL:

Provides teaching of community, virtual, and facility based programming to adults with developmental, intellectual, and/or physical disabilities, that promotes the independence and soft skills needed to reach participants personal goals.  Understand and abides by policies, procedures and programs. Typically works on projects and tasks that span 1 day – 3 months. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

1. Project and Change Management: Effectively plans and manages own work to reliably complete routine job responsibilities and special assignments. Follows through on learning, skill building, and practice necessary to adapt to change. 

2. Problem Solving:  General supervision, with work regularly reviewed by manager or senior coworker.  Uses technical skills and knowledge to manage day-to-day tasks.

3. Technical Skill:  Practical, working knowledge of tasks, responsibilities, policies and procedures.  Able to learn and apply new concepts.

4. Community Engagement: Serves as an ambassador for Goodwill in the wider community. Participates in volunteer opportunities as schedule and interest permit.

5. Plan and facilitate social/educational/recreational activities, teach classes and hold events. Engage and encourage participants to be fully involved in all activities and programs.  Provide individualized training on objectives as outlined in the Individual Plan.   

6. Develops ongoing improvements and innovations to the service as it continues to grow and evolve.  Utilize participant and stakeholder input to improve activities or services with the tenets of person-centered planning.  (30%)

7. Plan community integration opportunities and supervise participants on community outings and during volunteer work.  Researches and develops partnerships with community organizations and local businesses where learning can occur, such as volunteer work and community exploration.  (40%)

8. Consult with Case Manager regarding participant goals, needs, and progress.  Maintain accurate records of participant attendance, progress on objectives and activity participation. Attend and participate in weekly team meetings.  (10%) 

9. Assist with the development of weekly schedule and monthly calendar of activities, events and community outings. (10%)

10. Assist with sending out announcements, invitations, thank you notes, or other promotional materials.  Assist with maintaining activity boards, photos, and participant art.  (<5%)

11. Ensure the vehicle is clean and outing bag is stocked with necessary supplies.  Assist with van record keeping and maintenance.  (<5%)

12. Assist participants with personal care which may include some lifting and transferring, basic hygiene, or assistance with mobility. (<5%)

13. Responsible for completing other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Two years of college education or experience equivalency. 

2. Must have valid driver’s license and driving record which meets insurance company criteria if transporting participants in Goodwill van.  

3. Must have access to reliable means of transportation. 

4. Obtain and maintain first aid/CPR certification.

5. Basic computer skills.  Demonstrated experience in the ability to independently plan, design, manage and teach virtual video classes and activities with 3 to 10 individuals.   

CORE CULTURAL COMPETENCIES:

1. Customer Focus: Independently anticipate and meet customer needs, while searching for ways to improve customer service.  Internalize customer feedback, and follow up with customer to ensure problems are solved by providing innovative ideas to meet their future needs.

2. Values Differences:  Seeks out the diverse perspectives and talents of others, striving to work effectively with others who have different perspectives, backgrounds or styles.  Behave with sensitivity towards differences in cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating.  Challenge stereotyping or offensive comments.  

3. Communicates Effectively: Shares information and updates with others, while ensuring a clear, concise and professional communication through reports, documentation, written and other communications.  Listens with interest to what others have to say.   

4. Situational Adaptability: Demonstrates flexibility of responses to different situations through adapting to the changing needs, conditions, priorities or opportunities.  Monitors how well an approach is working to see if a change is needed, recognizing cues that suggest a change in approach or behavior is needed. 

5. Drives Results: Demonstrates a strong drive to achieve meaningful results, through driving tasks to successful completion and closure.  Sets high standards for own performance, showing determination in the face of obstacles and setbacks.

6. Ensures Accountability: Takes responsibility and ownership for successes and failures in own work.  Monitors progress of performance and changes approach accordingly, following through on commitments. 

PHYSICAL/SENSORY DEMANDS:

Regularly lifts and/or moves up 10 pounds, occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 50 pounds.  Moves about to accomplish tasks.  Worker risks exposure to human blood and bodily fluids.Required to observe and direct activities and know where participants are at all times.  

When determining placement within the salary range for this position Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago considers education, experience, internal equity, market demands and other qualifying criteria. It is not typical for individuals to be hired at or near the top of the rage for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on facts and circumstances of each case.

 Certain roles are eligible to participate in an incentive plan. Participation in this plan does not guarantee an incentive payment and is subject to the terms and conditions of the plan, which are subject to change.

In addition to compensation, we offer a competitive benefit program that may include medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, retirement plan, paid time off (PTO) and more. The specifics of each benefit package will vary depending on factors such as full or part time jobs, contracted, temporary, or other job categories.

Equal Opportunity Employer

(SEW)(JOW)