Independent Living Consultant Peer Specialist

Midstate Independent Living Choices is in need of an Independent Living Consultant with a Peer Support focus.

This is a full-time, 40 hours/week position in Stevens Point, WI
Monday through Friday. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Individuals with a social/human services or related background are encouraged to apply.

Candidates must identify as a person in mental health recovery with a Recovery Plan preferred to be in compliance with the requirements of a Certified Peer Specialist.

Peer Specialist Certification preferred, but can attain certification upon completion of the Certified Peer Specialist training and exam.

Ability to complete training to become Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) certified.

SUMMARY: The IL Consultant is responsible for delivery and coordination of those independent living services requested by persons with disabilities to assist them in living independently. This position includes provision of the 5 core services of information and referral, advocacy, peer support, independent living skills training, and transitional services (Helping transition from any institutional setting to community living, or transition of 14-24 year olds to independent living) under the direct supervision of the Independent Living Program Manager. The IL Consultant will promote consumer directed services to persons with disabilities within an 11 county service area.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Duties include but not limited to:

Demonstrate IL Philosophy in daily work

Provide 5 Core Services: Information & Referral: respond to inquiries and requests for information; acquire and refer to community resources; provide follow-up necessary to complete the inquiries and requests. Advocacy: advocate for consumer choice and consumer-driven focuses in all situations; advocate with consumers to educate and support their interests, needs, and rights; prepare for and participate in consumer-related meetings; show awareness of and participate in systems advocacy; keep current on legislation affecting persons with disabilities; be actively involved in committees and workgroups whose actions impact people with disabilities. Peer Support: provide and coordinate peer support and follow-up services. IL Skills Training: perform and write independent living skills assessments; provide skills training in areas of daily living. Transition: Youth post-secondary and nursing facility.

Provide support to individuals with disabilities in accessing services that may assist them in achieving their goals related to: Employment, Assistive Technology, Nursing Home Transition, Youth post-secondary transition, Incarceration to Community transition, Housing, Personal Care, Transportation, Other areas as identified by consumer.

Support consumers in the development of IL Plans: offer IL Plan development with all consumers’ indicating a potential goal; perform intake and maintain case files with mandated and required forms and documentation; provide coordination, follow along and support for consumers with open files. Inform consumers of their right to accept or waive the plan.

Attend conferences/trainings/workgroups both in and out of the area of focus

Prepare articles for agency’s newsletter on a quarterly basis

Provide program reporting as needed based on projects assigned

Complete forms associated with consumer database

Coordinate and maintain effective and positive working relationships with all agency staff as well as other agencies/service providers in order to encourage referrals and to promote cooperation and ensure effectiveness of services

Attend monthly staff meetings

Attend scheduled meetings with IL Program Manager

Staff MILC’s drop-in centers as scheduled by the IL Program Manager

Assist with coordination of events

All other tasks as assigned

*Area of Focus is defined as one area that an IL Staff becomes knowledgeable of through specialized training after successfully completing the 90-day training period. Area of Focus is determined by agency need.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Bachelor’s Degree preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience in providing support to persons with disabilities may be substituted for the degree.

Familiar with the philosophy and concepts of independent living required

Experience working with people with disabilities preferred or firsthand experience with a disability required

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Outlook email and internet required

Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word required

Working knowledge of Microsoft Access helpful

Knowledge of service system, benefits, entitlements and supports utilized by people with disabilities required

Knowledge of community resources available required

Knowledge of Assistive Technology and related resources preferred

Possess a valid Wisconsin driver’s license, provide proof of auto liability insurance meeting agency minimum limits and be able to meet agency driving standards or an alternate effective means of transportation required

Ability to travel within MILC’s service area and statewide is required

Ability to maintain confidential information including but not limited to financial data, consumer information or other non-public proprietary agency information required

Ability to pass a periodic WI Caregiver Background Check including Department of Justice Criminal Record Check required

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret written documents such as letters, instruction, policy and procedure manuals. Ability to write reports and correspondences. Ability to speak effectively with consumers, co-workers and organizations.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract and multiply.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee will routinely: sit, use hands and fingers; handle; feel; reach with hands and arms; walk; bend; squat; twist; talk; see; and hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands. The employee will occasionally lift and/or move Assistive Technology devices and/or equipment. Weight of equipment varies, but generally will not exceed 40 pounds. Due to the assortment of devices and equipment the employee is frequently bending, pulling, grasping, twisting, stooping, lifting and squatting.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be in an office, community setting, or consumer’s home. The employee will routinely use standard office equipment such as a computer, phone, copy machine and fax machine.

BENEFITS: Health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401K Plan, paid training, paid travel, paid holidays, paid time off package, bereavement leave, employee assistance plan and AFLAC.

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants are required to complete the MILC application. Find the application on our website at www.milc-inc.org under Careers or call 715-344-4210, ext.222 to have an application emailed/mailed to you.

Mail, email, or fax completed application with cover letter and resume to:

Midstate Independent Living Choices, Inc.

Attn: Shawn Serafin/H.R.

3262 Church Street Stevens Point, WI 54481

FAX: 715-344-4799 Attn: H.R.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $17.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Do you have experience providing human/social services support to people with disabilities (i.e., human services or social services background)?
• Do you meet the requirements for Peer Specialist certification? Visit https://www.wicps.org/certified-peer-specialist/
• A resume, application, and cover letter are required for consideration. The application can be found at https://milc-inc.org/careers/ and submitted to sserafin@milc-inc.org

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17