Life Skills Instructor – Tier 1

Job Title:  Life Skills Instructor – Tier 1
Department:  Community Living Services
Reports To:  Community Living Services Lead Staff
FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt

Summary

Implement training and support services to adults with developmental disabilities living independently.  Empower individuals by providing the support they need to live safely in their own home, neighborhood, community and job site.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Implements training and support services to consumers as specified by the Individual Support Plan (ISP).  The areas of life skills, training and instruction  include, but are not limited to,  budgeting, independent living skills training, self-help skills, recreation leisure planning, banking, decision-making, self-advocacy and problem solving.  In-home housekeeping duties are not included.
2. Assess individual abilities in the above mentioned areas.
3. Participates in the development of individual support plans.  Provides input for service planning and implementation.
4. Participates in team/circle meeting, staff meetings and in-service meetings as required.
5. Assists consumers in maintaining medical/dental appointments, shopping and other necessary trips.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

1. Completes all staff training components; including keeping first aid & CPR certification current.
2. Completes and timely submits all necessary paperwork, including daily progress notes for all persons supported.
3. Attends meetings as directed by the Community Living Services Lead Staff.
4. Maintains accessibility to consumers and supervisor by wearing a pager.
5. Believes in and supports the agency’s mission.  Works effectively with co-workers, consumers and others by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner; listens to and objectively considers ideas and suggestions from others; keeps commitments; keeps others informed of work progress, timetables and issues; addresses problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical solutions; addresses others by name, title or other respectful identifiers; and respects the diversity of the New Horizons workforce in actions, words and deeds.
6. Maintains the highest professional and ethical standards at all times.
7. Performs additional duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The individual must have the ability to relate effectively with persons with disabilities.  The individual must believe in the dignity of the consumer and show maturity, compassion, and tact in dealing with people.  Must also demonstrate the ability to organize work in an efficient and timely manner to meet the demands of the job.  The person must be able to work with minimal supervision and adhere to a flexible work schedule based on consumer needs.

The individual must have the knowledge of or ability to learn the needs of persons with disabilities.  Must possess the skills to effectively support persons with disabilities.  Must demonstrate the ability to encourage persons with disabilities to make informed choices and the knowledge to facilitate opportunities for growth to person with disabilities.

The individual must be able to use verbal prompting and hands-on demonstration to motivate and teach basic home/living skills to adults with developmental disabilities living independently in their own homes.

The individual must have a reliable vehicle, proof of vehicular insurance, a valid California driver license, and a driving record acceptable to the agency’s insurance carrier if the individual will be transporting consumers.

Education and/or Experience

A high school diploma or equivalent; and/or two years of experience in supporting people with disabilities, human services, or a related field is preferred.

Language Skills

The individual must have the ability to read, write and interpret documents in English.  The individual must also have the ability to effectively present information and respond in English to questions from employees, consumers, family members, and funding agencies.

Mathematical Skills

The individual must be able to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division at a high school level.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to sit; reach with hands and arms; and taste or smell.  The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.