Placer Independent Resource Services

11768 Atwood Rd., #129, Auburn, CA 95603

530-885-6100; TTY 530-885-0326; FAX 530-885-3032

www.pirs.org

Job Description

Independent Living Advocate II
Full time, Non-exempt
Department:  Services
Supervisor:  Director of Advocacy & Services 
Entry Rate of Pay: $18.50/hr
Plus Benefits

Primary Job Objectives:

Under the supervision of the Director of Advocacy & Services, the ILA II will carry out various duties with the primary goal of assisting persons with disabilities to live more independently.  Core services include peer support, individual and systems advocacy, information and referral, independent living skills training, personal assistant referral, transition services, and coordination of access to housing and transportation resources.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The duties of the ILA II include:

1. Serve as on-site Lead Staff of daily operations of our El Dorado CountyBranch office including orientation, training and supervision of other staff and volunteers, assuring adherence to Independent Living philosophy. 
2. Provide core services for consumers: conduct intake, assess needs, and develop Independent Living Plans with consumers who choose to have one.  Provide or coordinate access to services needed with appropriate support that enables the consumer to learn how to access services on their own, and follow up to ensure that needs are met to extent possible.
3. Engage in outreach to consumers, other service providers, and the community at large to promote PIRS services.
4. Be involved in at least one major area of systems advocacy such as benefits, health care, education, etc. and keep other staff apprised of key issues related to that area.
5. Maintain required records and submit in an accurate, legible, and timely manner.
6. Develop community relationships and provide appropriate information and referrals to resources for consumers.  
7. Provide self advocacy training to consumers as needed, and support their advocacy efforts to access needed resources. 
8. Provide basic information and assistance about benefits programs, such as IHSS, Social Security, SNAP, etc., or refer to appropriate outside resources.
9. Provide access to individual and group peer support.
10. In collaboration with Registry Coordinator at main office, assist with personal assistant recruitment and.provide guidance to consumers on how to hire, train, and supervise their in-home assistants.
11. Travel as assigned throughout PIRS service area, and occasionally to other areas in or out of state for training.
12. Carry out other duties, as assigned.

Required Qualifications: 

Bachelor degree preferred and at least one year of related field experience working with people with disabilities. Two years of related experience may be substituted for two years of college education with demonstrated competence to perform the duties of the position.  Example: AA Degree in related field and three years of related field experience, or five years of related experience.

Ability to communicate effectively in English both in writing and verbally.  Bilingual skills in Spanish or Sign Language desired.

Excellent computer skills including word processing, data entry, use of internet and email [MS Office].

Ability to communicate effectively with people having any type of disability.

Ability to write concisely and clearly in English.  Ability to read, analyze and interpret written matter appropriate for delivery of consumer services.

Understanding of and commitment to the Independent Living philosophy, including experience with both individual and systems change advocacy, and the values and mission of PIRS.

Ability to exercise sound judgment in providing consumer services and/or participating in community education, advocacy, and awareness projects.

Personal experience with disability preferred.  Hiring preference given to qualified persons with disabilities (Title VIIc, Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended).

Reasoning Ability:

The ILA II must have the abilities to define problems, present solutions, collect data and establish facts and priorities; use discretion and to maintain confidentiality; and work with minimum of supervision and maintain an atmosphere of teamwork.

Mental/Physical Demands:

The ILA II is regularly required to recall details, resolve problems, deal with interpersonal conflicts, and manage people, time and materials.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that should be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. These include general clerical duties, use of office machines, some travel within the catchment area, and occasionally outside that area, and the ability to work in an office setting with average conversational noise levels.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Stress Level: 

Average

Qualified Persons with Significant Disabilities are Encouraged to Apply

 per Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title VIIC

Revised: 6/18; 11/22; 7/23; 7/24

Compensation:

• $23 – $25 an hour (DOE)
• Sick Leave, Vacation, and Holiday Pay
• 100% Paid Kaiser Health Insurance (with option to choose a different health plan, if desired).
• 403B 5% Employer Match
• Long Term Disability, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance.

Reports To:

Program Manager

Mission:

The mission of RIL is to promote the socio-economic independence of persons with disabilities by providing peer-supported, consumer-directed independent living services and advocacy. The focus of RIL is that freedom to make choices and the ability to live safely in the community are basic rights all people have, regardless of disability or age.

Job Summary:

In coordination with the Program Manager, responsible for the coordination, education, and implementation of emergency preparedness standards and plans for the Access and Functional Needs (AFN) communities within RIL’s catchment area. Coordinate AFN emergency preparedness education and exercises with consumers and local stakeholders to ensure an organized response during and after emergencies or disasters. Responsibilities include the integration of safety and other relevant regulations, and oversight of incident and event response.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Know each county’s alert and notification systems and procedures, and ensure appropriate staff is educated on this as well.
• Provide necessary project management and support for all related emergency preparedness sub-committee work related to older adults and people with disabilities.
• Coordinate the use and routine testing of all disaster-related equipment.
• Identify and maintain contact information for community response partners and identify how RIL’s consumers and the AFN community will be notified of an emergency/ crisis situation.
• Administer RIL’s Public Safety Power Shut Off response including back-up battery loan program by screening, administering distribution of batteries, and tracking battery loans.
• Develop and administer community education campaigns for disaster preparedness.
• Work with individual consumers to develop personal disaster preparedness plans.
• Participate in training and exercises to practice/ test emergency plans with community partners or statewide exercises.
• Develop and prepare reports that fulfill grant contract requirements as outlined by the specific funding stream.
• Assisting consumers in submitting Medical Baseline Allowance applications to the Electricity Provider for eligibility determination.
• Creates and maintains confidential files on consumers who request ongoing services, completes intake assignment, prepares case notes, documents services requested, and services provided, completes, periodic statistical data collection forms, and completes other paperwork and reports as required.
• Maintains monthly follow-up contact, which is appropriately documented, with all consumers who have files that are open.
• Keeps a daily log and prepares monthly and quarterly statistical and narrative information/reports in an accurate and timely fashion as required by the agency and/or funding sources.
• Follows RIL’s policies and procedures.
• Maintains practices that protect the safety and health of consumers and co-workers.
• Must arrange travel to remote areas of Yolo County as needed.
• Will be available to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Ability to lift 70 lbs.
• Operates a keyboard and computer.
• Operates standard office equipment (including fax machine, copier, and telecommunications devices for the deaf).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Arts degree or three years’ experience in disability or emergency management, safety and/or regulatory compliance fields. Experience may be substituted for education.
• Prior experience in program coordination.
• Analytical skills necessary to evaluate and make recommendations regarding emergency management issues.
• Ability to design lesson plans, coordinate courses, and assist/ conduct realistic simulated training.
• Ability to articulate complex concepts both orally and in writing, but also translate those complex concepts into plain language as well.
• Familiarity with healthcare emergency preparedness, including security, safety, HAZMAT, OSHA, NIMS, FEMA, HICS, HVA, and CMS.
• Familiarity with Personal Preparedness Program capabilities and understand emergency preparedness local / regional response activities is preferred.
• Experience and knowledge in communicating with people with disabilities is preferred.
• Demonstrates skills and experience in:
  • Promoting an understanding of disability concerns to diverse audiences.
  • Communication with persons of diverse backgrounds and communication styles.
  • Informal instruction, coaching, or tutoring.
  • Statistical data collection and reporting.
  • General office procedures and office equipment.
  • Organization, time management, and prioritization.
  • Working independently and as part of a team.

Desired Qualification:

• Work or educational experience in the emergency management and/or social services field.
• Personal experience with PWD’s and an understanding of diverse cultures.
• Familiarity with independent living philosophy and principles.

Working Conditions:

The emotional effort varies but can be challenging. Occasionally there are short deadlines and periods of high activity/demand.  The position requires interacting with persons with a variety of disabilities, methods of communication, and behaviors.

Physical Demands:

Within the office the job is primarily sitting with some movement required to the file cabinets, copiers, fax machine, and answering of the phones.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

RIL is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We want to have the best available persons in every job. RIL’s policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. All such discrimination is unlawful.

RIL is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities.  This commitment applies to all persons involved in RIL’s operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of RIL, including supervisors and coworkers.

RIL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. You are encouraged to apply regardless of your race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, marital status, religious creed, medical/physical/mental circumstance, sexual orientation, Veteran status, or age.

Please send your resume and cover letter to
[email protected].