[Tn-talk] position saught: Independent Living & Advocacy Specialist

[Sheri Anderson]

Empower TN, formerly the Center for Independent Living of Middle TN,
is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Independent
Living & Advocacy Specialist. For consideration, applicants should
submit a cover letter, including salary requirements, and professional
resume to Heidi Oechsel, Associate Director, at careers at empowertn.org.
No phone calls please. Application deadline: July 15, 2016.

TITLE: 		Independent Living & Advocacy Specialist
POSITION: 	Regular, Full-Time, Salaried, Non-Exempt
SUPERVISOR: 	Associate Director

SUMMARY:
The Independent Living & Advocacy (ILA) Specialist implements programs
and initiatives to provide opportunities for people with disabilities
to live independently through the development and utilization of
individual and systems advocacy skills. To achieve these aims, the ILA
Specialist coordinates agency information and referral services to
ensure access for the client to relevant community resources as well
as peer support programming as a forum to hone advocacy skills with
others. The ILA Specialist incorporates the Independent Living
Philosophy (i.e. client-directed goal setting, dignity of risk, peer
mentorship, etc.) in all aspects of interaction with clients and the
community at-large. The ILA Specialist represents and advocates for
Empower TN in relevant community settings and to foster meaningful
partnerships with like-minded organizations and individuals in the
achievement of strategic goals. The ILA Specialist exhibits the values
of empowerment, partnership, fairness, accountability, sustainability,
and knowledge in all areas of the position.

DUTIES:
Specific:
1.	Triage and assess client needs for IL services; and when
appropriate, make referrals, assist in individual goal setting, and
empower clients to access available resources;
2.	Coordinate information and referral services, including, but not
limited to cultivating and maintaining an extensive database of
community resources (including points of contact and relevant service
navigation details), updating agency website content, disseminating
relevant information via agency social/traditional media outlets, and
providing intensive I&R service to clients, as requested;
3.	Coordinate peer support/mentoring programs (particularly, but not
exclusively for youth), including, but not limited to member
engagement, facilitation scheduling, venue procurement, and event
planning, as needed;
4.	Coordinate advocacy activities, including, but not limited to
organizing IL client participation with Disability Day on the Hill,
developing and implementing advocacy trainings (both individual and
systems level), and effectively incorporate advocacy efforts into
other agency service areas:
5.	Assist other agency staff, as needed, in the implementation of
programming outside the scope of individual program responsibility;
6.	Coordinate with program volunteers/students, as needed, to
effectively integrate program goals with an engaged and meaningful
experience;
7.	Document all program activities and client interactions per
established timelines and standards.

General:
1.	Adheres to agency policy and procedures;
2.	Participates in agency meetings and events, as directed/requested;
3.	Represents agency in inter-organizational or community meetings, as
assigned;
4.	Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or agency.

QUALIFICATIONS:
1.	Bachelor’s Degree in social work, psychology, occupational therapy,
special education or related field(s), required;
2.	Three years of professional experience within the disability
community, required;
3.	Demonstrated experience as a self or systems advocate, required;
4.	Demonstrated knowledge of, and ability to link clients with, Middle
Tennessee community resources, required;
5.	Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, required;
6.	Disciplined, self-motivated, and cooperative work ethic, required;
7.	Flexibility regarding work schedule to accommodate program needs, required;
8.	Working knowledge of and skill with computer systems/applications, required;
9.	Regular access to reliable transportation, required;
10.	Experience as a group facilitator and/or grassroots organizer, preferred;
11.	Demonstrated innovation in program development and implementation,
preferred;
12.	Fluency in language beyond English (including ASL), preferred.


Posted qualifications serve as a guide for candidate review and are
not fixed in stone. Empower TN reserves the right to deviate from
posted credentials in determining what combination of candidate
education, experience and skills are best suited to a position.

Empower TN is an equal provider of services and an equal opportunity employer—
Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.