Independent Living Specialist

ABOUT US:

Austin Lighthouse for the Blind is a non-profit organization, was founded in 1934 by Dr. Henry L. Hilgartner and other civic-minded citizens of Austin to provide a setting where blind men and women could come to learn skills and create products that were sold door to door.

Today, Austin Lighthouse for the Blind stays true to the mission established in 1934 by providing opportunities for economic and personal independence for people who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf blind by creating, sustaining, and improving employment. We continue to grow and expand the services we provide to blind Texans.

Our Core Values guide us in everything we do: LIGHT : L eadership, I ntegrity, G rowth & Innovation, H eart, and T eamwork.

Austin Lighthouse for the Blind offers a variety of benefits to include : 403(b) retirement plan; health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance; employee assistance program; life insurance; paid time off; paid holidays; employee appreciation events; and more.

Job Summary:

The Independent Living Specialist is a dedicated and compassionate professional who will assist individuals in the community regain skills and independence within their home. This Specialist will work one-on-one with individuals who have recently become blind or visually impaired, ensuring they feel comfortable and safe while completing daily tasks and chores. The Specialist reports to the VP of Mission Services and is an active, honest, & respectful part of the department.

Responsibilities

- Implement an integrated, functional, creative, skills curriculum by providing explicit instruction and practice in the community.

- Implement program curriculum to engage customers to achieve their personal goal towards independence.

- Develop and maintain group setting activities for customers.

- Support and motivate the person with duties of daily living, while maintaining positive motivation and encouragement.

- Assist customers with cooking, laundry, hygiene, money management, transportation, social and recreational skills.

- Work with customers on duties of daily living by working alongside the participant, modeling, prompting, and teaching skills to ensure successful of daily tasks.

- Be a positive role model, demonstrating professional attitude, behavior and boundaries in all contexts and environments; including but not limited to customers' homes, living spaces and on company campus.

- Assist with the NIB employees' assessments and ensure all documents are correct and current, i.e. Eye Report, and NIB forms.

- Maintain an environment which fosters growth, learning and integrity.

- Provide training and support to customers, regarding advocating for oneself.

- Exercise discretion, confidentiality and professional judgment with all customers.

- Communicate professionally and proactively with all customers.

- Document progress and capture accurate case notes information in a concise, professional, and accurate manner.

- Complete paperwork and record keeping of data; case notes, customers data sheets, social recreation activities, and any other paperwork deemed necessary.

- Participate in ongoing mandatory trainings and staff meetings.

Cadence driven Career Planning sessions with TAB employees.

Assess training needs through interviews with employees, or consultation with managers.

Offer specific training programs to help workers maintain or improve job skills.

Present information using a variety of instructional techniques or formats, such as role playing, or simulations.

Obtain, organize, or develop training procedure manuals, guides, or course materials, such as handouts, visual or audio materials.

Monitor, evaluate, or record training activities or program effectiveness.

Develop alternative training methods if expected improvements are not seen.

Complies with and assists other employees understand and comply with Austin Lighthouse for the Blind policies and procedures.

Behaves in accordance with the key behaviors aligned with Austin Lighthouse for the Blind Core Values of Leadership, Integrity, Growth & Innovation, Heart and Teamwork (LIGHT).

Holds oneself accountable for behaving in accordance with behaviors aligned with Austin Lighthouse for the Blind Core Values of Leadership, Integrity, Growth & Innovation, Heart and Teamwork (LIGHT).

Other duties as assigned

The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and should not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be performed in the job.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge for assessing the trainee's needs, meeting quality standards for services, and

evaluation of trainee satisfaction.

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation.

Teaching others how to use technology.

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best candidate for employment opportunity.

The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand, both verbally and written.

The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Communication & Contacts Required

Employees, departments, managers, executives, vendors, community members

Decision Making/Judgment Required

Makes decisions as per Standard Operation Procedures and Company Policies

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in human services field

2+ years' experience in Independent Living Training with High School diploma; alternative for bachelor's degree

Proficient level of computers, including MS Suite, email, and standard programs.

Physical Requirements

With or without reasonable accommodation, employees in this position must be able to:

Prolonged periods of working on a computer

Ability to be in a stationary position (stand/sit) for 4-8 hours

- Ability to lift/move up to 10-25 lbs. at times

- Ability to bend, stoop, squat, adjust position for 50% of time

- Ability to work in conditions with varying temperature, including cold and/or heat

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned or reassigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

- Background Check and Drug Screen required

- Internal and external applicants accepted

- Verifiable documentation of ability to work in the US

Individuals who are blind or visually impaired are encouraged to apply

AUSTIN LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

Austin Lighthouse for the Blind provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, genetics or any other characteristic protected by law. In addition to federal law requirements, TAB complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

EEO is the law. To review your rights under Equal Employment Opportunity, please visit: www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf