Compensation:

• $23- $25 (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, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

Report 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:

Under the general direction of the Program Manager, the Youth Coordinator is responsible for delivery of core services: Information and Referral, Peer Support, Independent Living Skills Training, Individual and Systems Advocacy, Housing Search Assistance, Personal Attendant Search Assistance, Youth Transition, and homeless/nursing home diversion. This position will require travel to different schools and agencies in Sacramento and Yolo Counties.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide enhanced information and assistance by working with the consumer to identify the individual’s long- and short-term needs, identifying resources to meet those needs, providing referrals to identified resources, and, where appropriate, providing warm hand-offs, and following up to ensure that a consumer’s needs have been met.
• Work offices hours at High Schools and Colleges in both Sacramento and Yolo Counties.
• Provide individual advocacy, independent living skills training, and housing assistance services to consumers.
• Provide benefits counseling, advocacy, and guidance to consumers in benefit areas including Social Security, MediCal and other medical benefits, IHSS, housing programs such as Section 8, employee and other benefits programs for people with disabilities.
• Provide peer support services and information on various peer support groups and activities to consumers.
• Provide information to consumers, community service providers, educators and interested community members about assistive technology equipment, programs and services.
• Collaborate with RIL service staff in transitioning consumers to community-based living with coordination of the appropriate services and supports.
• Conduct outreach and educational activities to ensure those persons with disabilities and others are informed of RIL’s services and mission.
• Network with local agencies and organizations to ensure comprehensive referral options.
• Engage in systems advocacy activities on behalf of person with disabilities.
• Complete all required forms, records and reports in an accurate and timely manner.
• Must attend all required staff meetings and trainings.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and sensitivity toward persons with disabilities.
• Knowledge of the values and concepts of the Independent Living Movement.
• Knowledge of resources and services available to persons with disabilities.
• Knowledge of word processing and data base(s).
• Ability to quickly learn, understand, and explain laws and regulations affecting persons with disabilities.
• Ability to communicate with angry, upset or demanding consumers.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions.
• Ability to think clearly in emergencies, complete work with deadlines, and work with frequent interruptions.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Personal experience with disability.
• Experience as a disability rights advocate.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish or American sign Language.
• BA in human services or equivalent experience

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]

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

Tri-County Independent Living, Inc.
Crescent City, Full-Time

As a federally-funded Independent Living Center, TCIL is mandated to be comprised primarily of
people with disabilities. This mandate requires that at least 51% of the Board of Directors be
people with disabilities.

TCIL Philosophy: Individuals with disabilities are best able to determine their own needs and make
their own service choices. Through role modeling and peer counseling, they become empowered to make
changes in their lives becoming more self-sufficient and self-reliant.

Line of Authority/Supervision: Program Coordinator; Executive Director
Status: Full -Time, up to 40 hours/wk; Non-Exempt; may include occasional evenings and weekends; may be filled as Part-Time position
Benefits: For Full-Time: Holidays, vacation, medical and dental benefits, sick leave, AFLAC self-pay insurance option. For Part-Time: see Personnel Policies – some benefits offered on a pro-rated basis, depending on hours.

Summary of Position:

Provides information and referrals regarding resources for disability services. Performs needs
assessments, supports clients to develop and implement Independent Living Plans with a focus on
serving un-served, underserved or under-represented segments of the disability community. Provides
personal assistant referral services through TCIL PARS program. Serves the cross-disability
community in Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties. Provides outreach and public education
regarding independent living services and resources.

Essential Duties:

1. Conduct client intake and service needs assessment. Provide core services: information &
   referral, peer support, independent living skills training, transitions, personal assistant
   referral services, AT referral and individual and systems advocacy.
2. Help clients develop Independent Living Plans and goals and services to support achieving
   those goals. Provide other direct client services including (but not limited to) mentoring, teaching core skills and self-advocacy.
3. In addition to serving all individuals with disabilities, focus on serving un-served,
   underserved or under-represented people in the disability community.
4. Monitor and follow up with clients’ progress. regularly update client service records and case
   notes; maintain agency record keeping systems, prepare periodic statistical reports. Collect
   required demographic information from callers and clients.
5. Maintain absolute client confidentiality absent a release or written waiver from the client.
6. Provide personal assistant referral services through the TCIL Personal Assistant Referral
   Services Program and/or the ADRC (no wrong door) program.
7. Participate in trainings, agency meetings, events, presentations, outreach, fund-raisers, etc.
8. Develop relationships with referral agencies and educate clients about current support
   programs, services, eligibility and referrals that will enhance their independence.
9. Other duties as assigned. TCIL is a very small agency and requires all staff to be flexible,
   willing and available to do all tasks requested, whether identified in the position description as
   an essential duty or responsibility or not. Perform all duties in accordance with agency’s policies
   and procedures.

This job description does not list all the duties of the job. You may be asked to perform other
duties. You will be evaluated in part based upon your performance of the tasks listed in this job
description. TCIL has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is
not a contract for employment.

Performance Standards

1. Effectively and timely performs functions and responsibilities with attention to detail,
   appropriateness, and accuracy.
2. Meets deadlines and commitments.
3. Prioritizes and accomplishes multiple tasks within time constraints.
4. Demonstrates initiative and creativity to anticipate and solve problems.
5. Complies with TCIL policies and procedures.
6. Promotes harmonious and collaborative working relationships; participate fully as member of
   working team, conduct agency business in a professional manner with respect for others’ rights and
   maintain strict adherence to the independent living philosophy.

Required Qualifications:

1. High School Diploma or GED.
2. Minimum two years experience in social services or closely related field, preferably working
   with people with disabilities in an advocacy setting.
3. Degree in social work or closely related field may be substituted for experience.
4. General knowledge of Independent Living philosophy.
5. Skillful written and verbal communication, ability to respond with patience, respect,
   objectivity and nonjudgmental attitude with a broad range of people from diverse backgrounds.
6. Skilled in time management; possessing good organizational and critical thinking skills and
   effective analytical, judgment and reasoning abilities.
7. Ability to develop advocacy strategies broken into manageable steps.
8. Ability to work under supervision, problem-solve and follow clinical protocols and procedures.
9. Proficiency with computer, word processing (Word), Microsoft Office, MS-Outlook, spreadsheet
   development (Excel), internet research, database management, internet search, social media.
   Experience using standard office technology and electronic communications including, but not
   limited to, the Internet, e-mail and fax.
10. Must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
11. Ability to effectively communicate and read in English.
12. Able to make home visits and travel independently on Agency business within the three county
    service area.
13. Exemplary interpersonal skills – possess a positive, cooperative, flexible attitude

Desired Qualifications:

1. Personal experience with a disability.
2. Bilingual in English/ASL; English/Spanish
3. Familiarity with Independent Living (IL) philosophy and history, IL’s core values of
   Inclusiveness, Flexibility, Person First, Accountability and Integrity; and resources, programs and
   services available for persons with disabilities.
4. Experience working with people with disabilities to achieve employment, independent living,
   transitions and/or maximum self-reliance.
5. Experience with, or knowledge of, IHHS or personal assistant services.
6. Knowledge of financial benefits including SSI/SSDI, ADA, Rehabilitation Act, Fair Housing Act
   and other disability law issues regarding rights, access, employment, discrimination, etc. and
   local disability and community resources, programs and services available to persons with
   disabilities.

Licensing/Certification:

Valid California Driver’s License preferred. If driving on Agency business, must meet Agency
Insurer’s qualifications for insurance coverage.
A background check is required for all positions with TCIL as a condition of employment and may
include fingerprinting.

Essential Physical Requirements:

To adequately perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, the duties and responsibilities of
this job, must be able to:

1. Sit for up to 8 hours/day with reasonable breaks
2. Perform light filing and copying tasks
3. Perform with manual dexterity; lift (occasionally up to 30 pounds), sit, stand, bend, stoop
4. Drive a vehicle and travel independently within the 3 county service area
5. Maintain emotional balance in the presence of stress. The emotional effort varies but can be
   challenging. Occasionally there are short deadlines and periods of high activity/demands. The job
   entails interacting with persons with a variety of disabilities and a variety of communication and
   behavior styles. Some consumers are facing crisis situations.

All positions subject to funding availability. Employment at TCIL is for no definite period of time
and can be terminated with or without cause and with or without notice at any time and by either
party. Tri-County Independent Living, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All persons having a
disability, having personal experience with disability or committed to disability issues are highly
encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are provided upon request.

Competitive compensation and benefits. Visit www.tilinet.org/jobs for details on the application process. EOE, Individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.