Come join a great organization with a mission to empower the lives of individuals with disabilities

Position: Youth Coordinator

Transition to Adulthood Program (TAP) & Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)

Full-Time, Hybrid and flexible work schedule

Pay Rate: $20 per hour   

Southeast Center for Independent Living, Inc. (SCIL) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization incorporated in 1987. SCIL firmly holds at its foundation the Philosophy of Independent Living which maintains that individuals with disabilities have the right to choose services and make decisions for themselves. SCIL offers various programs, information, and support to assist and empower individuals with any type of disabilities and of all ages to achieve their goals, experience personal growth, and be able to participate fully in community life. SCIL provides five core services which are advocacy, information and referral, peer counseling, skills training, and prevention and transition for individuals with disabilities.

Position Summary:

To work closely and effectively with students with disabilities (14 through 22), parents/guardians, employers, educational institutions, and community partners. To educate and train students with disabilities in areas focused on skills training and peer counseling, and on pre-vocational skills training, work readiness, self-advocacy, and internship and employment placement services, and post-secondary educational opportunities.

Essential Responsibilities: (other duties may be assigned)

  • Responsible for intake and assessment.  This includes assessing if a student meets eligibility criteria for the Transition to Adulthood Program and Pre-ETS. Assist in the development and fulfillment of the students’ Independent Living Service Plans and monitor goal achievement.

  • Provide skills training in workshops or one-to-one to qualifying Transition to Adulthood Program and Pre-ETS students in pre-vocational areas such as self-advocacy, communication skills, worksite dress and appearance, transportation training, money management/banking, interviewing techniques, conflict resolution, benefits explorations, employment rights, resume writing, and computer safety.

  • Utilize a role-modeling approach through peer counseling that offers information and support to students and will provide the student with growth and self-affirmation for a successful future of employment.

  • Offer advocacy assistance to students in need of support with a problem situation. Emphasis on “role modeling” for students to grow and acquire self-affirming advocacy skills.

  • Provide coaching skills training to students who need assistance at their worksite. Analysis of job duties followed by assisting the student to perform his/her job duties more effectively and efficiently.

  • Provide outreach, education and employment training to Pre-ETS students residing in private or public residential schools and outreach to area businesses to develop and customize employment opportunities.

  • Provide information and referral and service coordination between community providers, employers, educational institutions, and disabled individuals.  Provide information to parent/guardians of TAP/Pre-ETS students regarding program offerings, including goal development and educational and employment opportunities.

  • Coordinate and/or present community employment opportunities and readiness classes. Conduct training for students with disabilities. Assist and develop courses to be used in student programs and programs that will be offered on SCIL premises or in local high schools.

  • Provide technical assistance relative to disability laws and consumers’ rights.

  • Develop and implement outreach when needed to community partners, students, parents/guardians and employers in the service area about the benefits of hiring students with disabilities.

  • Provide documentation maintaining consumer activities of services provided using the Centers’ documentation system (MiCIL)

  • Other duties as needed: some evenings and weekend flexibility is required.

Skills and Abilities: 

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

  • Must demonstrate peer counseling and skills training techniques within the first three months.

  • Must demonstrate knowledge of disability issues and MassAbility services within the first six months.

  • Must demonstrate knowledge of disability laws within the first year of employment.

  • Must have computer knowledge/experience.

  • Must possess good verbal and written English skills.

  • Demonstrate satisfactory performance in utilizing MiCIL for documentation within first three months.

Qualifications:

  • Human Services Degree or related field or four-year equivalent life experience in dealing with disability issues and/or four years’ experience working with persons with disabilities.

  • Respectful, with an appreciation of different cultures and backgrounds

  • Bilingual in Spanish a plus

  • Must be 18 years of age, or older.

  • Must possess a valid driver’s license and vehicle.

  • Clear background checks as defined by regulations and policies.

  • Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19

SCIL provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual preference, disability, or genetics. Minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation is provided.

Hybrid work schedule enacted after successful completion of probationary period.

Cover letter and resume required.

Please send cover letter and resume to Director of Youth Programs, Lucy Loureiro lloureiro@secil.org