Social & Advocacy Coach for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

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About the Organization:

Community Choices is a nonprofit human service cooperative. Our mission is to partner with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Champaign County in their pursuit of independence, opportunity, and choice by offering quality, self-directed supports and services. Not sure what a Human Service Cooperative is? Check out this quick video:

Job Summary: Community Choices is seeking someone to fill a full-time position as a Social and Advocacy Coach to work in the Connect Department. This person will work 1:1 and with groups of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to build their social capital, leadership potential, and personal connections by exploring their interests, passions, and strengths. The position will also support the organization’s cooperative structure by helping to develop tools that allow members to easily connect with and support each other.

Job Responsibilities:

Social Coaching - a progressive method for supporting adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to build community connections, friendships, and the skills to make those sustainable

• Work 1:1 with members with I/DD to identify, build, and maintain community connections and to develop skills for those connections to be sustainable.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with community groups in the effort to build meaningful connections that support the goals of members with disabilities
• Support small groups of members with disabilities to develop sustainable relationships and social opportunities based on shared interests
• Identify areas where participants can increase their social, communication, and relationship skills and develop resources and strategies for learning and growth

Support Self-Advocacy Efforts - support for our members with disabilities to build their leadership skills and use their voices to affect change in their communities

• Facilitate our Human Rights and Advocacy Group to work on advocacy projects, presentations, and building their understanding of social issues and strategies to address those issues
• Support members with I/DD to participate in statewide advocacy events, committees, or other efforts
• Assist organization leadership with our involvement in a long term research project by providing logistical and planning support, supporting members with I/DD to engage with the project, and participating in internal and research team meetings.

Supporting the Cooperative Community – nurturing and strengthening our unique structure by creating tools and opportunities for people with I/DD and families to build their connections and have a voice in the services they need

• Working with a departmental team and organizational leadership to research, develop, and implement digital and analog tools to support members of the cooperative to communicate, connect, and manage event logistics.
• Building relationships with members with I/DD in order to best connect them with cooperative and external community opportunities
• Providing support to participants at Community Choices and community events

Organizational Responsibilities:

• Upholding our mission and philosophy statements
• Contributing to the life of the cooperative by running social opportunities, connecting with families, and developing life skills for Community Choices members.
• Engaging in continued interdisciplinary professional development

Requirements:

• Ability to pass a State Police, DCFS, Healthcare Worker Registry and other background checks at the time of hire and annually thereafter
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends (pre-scheduled, 1-2x per month for 1-3 hours).
• Ability to travel and support participants with I/DD at statewide advocacy events 1-2 times per year
• Valid driver’s license, vehicle in working condition, insurance to cover transporting individuals

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience – preferred
• 1-2 years’ experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families
• Strength-based thinking – able to focus on individual’s abilities and assets
• Ability to think creatively to help people work together; an interest in community building
• Self-Starter – able to develop ideas, plan, and execute them independently
• Strong Understanding of Microsoft Office Suite and Google Docs, Sheets, Forms, and Slides, including the ability to transition and convert between these programs
• Ability to use spreadsheet programs such as Excel and Google Sheets efficiently and effectively
• Interest in and ability to learn online community building platforms (for example, Group Me, Mighty Networks, Discord, etc.)
• Comfortable using social media
• Comfortable using Canva and other graphic design software
• Excellent written, verbal, and adaptive communication skills
• Ability to think critically and apply problem-solving strategies
• Ability to keep track of details and complete regular documentation

Benefits:

• Community Choices offers a progressive, flexible, and accommodating workplace
• 20 Paid Vacation days/year for the first 3 years and 25 days/year after 3 years
• 11 paid holidays per year
• This will be a full-time (37.5 hrs/week) position
• Health Insurance (with multiple plan options) and dental insurance available
• SIMPLE IRA Retirement program with up to a 3% match
• Salary range for this position is $42,000-$46,000

Pay: $42,000.00 - $46,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Retirement plan

Application Question(s):

• Preference will be given to candidates who submit a cover letter. Please include that below, or email it to [email protected].
• What makes you excited about helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities build connections and become self-advocates?

• Please include the contact information for two professional references and your relationship to you:

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• intellectual disability support: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person