Community Independent Living Specialist

The Community Independent Living (IL) Specialist is responsible for providing direct core services to consumers and supporting the development of independent living skills. The Community IL Specialist is also responsible for building relationships with diverse communities in Alameda County to promote and expand the Center for Independent Living's programs and services.

About Center for Independent Living, Inc.

The Center for Independent Living (CIL), founded in Berkeley as the nation's first independent living center, is a pioneer of the disability rights and independent living movement. Our radical legacy is rooted in peer-led advocacy, cross-disability solidarity, and the belief that all people with disabilities have the right to live with dignity, choice, and freedom.Today, CIL provides advocacy and direct services that increase awareness, collaboration, and opportunity among people with disabilities and the broader community. Our programs equip people with skills, knowledge, and resources to challenge ableism, eliminate barriers, and pursue lives they value.

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Community Independent Living (IL) Specialist is responsible for providing direct core services to consumers and supporting the development of independent living skills. The Community IL Specialist is also responsible for building relationships with diverse communities in Alameda County to promote and expand the Center for Independent Living's programs and services.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with management to build and maintain relationships with organizations and individuals of diverse communities through TheCIL catchment area
• Deliver in-person independent living core services (including independent living skills training, peer counseling, advocacy, personal assistant services information, housing search, information and referral, benefits assistance, and more) to consumers in various locations: at CIL's offices, - consumer's homes - if needed,, other community-based sites, or virtually if preferred by the consumer.
• Travel to agencies, non-profit organizations, and grassroots groups in CIL's catchment to outreach and deliver informational presentations about CIL's programs and services to individuals and small groups
• Provide case management support: assess client needs, develop independent living plans with them, arrange resources, and make adjustments to independent living plans as needed.
• Provide appropriate referrals, technical assistance, and support to navigate access to Medi-Cal, Medi-Care, CalFresh, General Assistance, and Disability Insurance Forms.
• Provide referrals to other agencies or CIL staff as appropriate and ensure smooth service delivery
• Maintain complete, accurate, and up-to-date consumer records as outlined in CIL standard operating procedures
• Performs other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to be a peer counselor
• Strong knowledge of Independent Living and Disability Rights and Disability Justice history and philosophy preferred but can also be learned
• Work experience in the disability field
• Knowledge of community resources
• Ability to work independently and in a self-directed manner
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Experience in service/advocacy organization
• BA or equivalent work experience
• Strong computer skills
• Lived experience with a disability is preferred
• Bi-lingual/bi-cultural preferred
• Ability to contribute to a diverse cross-disability work environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to travel to other agencies and organizations
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• Must be able to communicate and exchange accurate information via telephone, email, video, and in person with community members that visit CIL's offices for appointments and information and referrals.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

A NOTE TO POTENTIAL CANDIDATES:

Studies have shown that BIPOC and other people from marginalized groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all the qualifications described in the job description. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse work experiences and backgrounds. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in this position, and what you hope to bring to this role.

HOW TO APPLY:

If you are interested in joining CIL's team, please submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter describing your interest in CIL and how your past experience has prepared you for this role
• Resume

All job offers are contingent on passing a pre-employment background check.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Hiring team at hiring (@) thecil.org.

CIL Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity), national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation or status as a protected veteran. Persons with disabilities, veterans, women, and minorities are encouraged to apply.

CIL is an E-Verify participating employer.

Salary

$31.9 - $31.9 per hour