Independent Living Specialist Full-time (37.5 hour workweek) Charlottesville, VA

JOB SUMMARY:

The IL Specialist practices responsible, professional community social work and provides case management services per established social work principles. This position supports and assists clients & families with personal, family, and social growth. Empowers the client/family to the highest level of self-sufficiency. The IL Specialist provides comprehensive casework services to adolescents., including the IL Skill Builder. The position is assigned to an on-call rotation.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

The Independent Living Specialist will report directly to the Independent Living Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

This list is not an exhaustive & all-inclusive list of job responsibilities. The distribution of time allotted for any function or duty is subject to change with or without notice. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign other responsibilities to this job or reassign them elsewhere at any time.

Treatment Planning: Coordinate the development of each youth’s Comprehensive Treatment and Service Plan (CTSP) by 1) using information gained from assessment, 2) collaborating with supervisor CTSP is appropriately implemented, and 3) work as team member with other IL staff in coordination of program & treatment(s)

Transition: Manages all youth transition stages – 1) assist youth in obtaining/compiling required documents to transition to adulthood, 2) ensures basic resources are in place (as much as possible) when transitioning occurs, and 3) supports youth by planning, providing continued need for placement and adjustment to new housing when transitioning to adulthood; which includes 30 days of Aftercare Services for exiting youth whom accepted services

Relationships: Serves as positive model by developing professional collaborative relationships with all involved parties (e.g., youth, foster parents, families, co-workers, supervisors, administrations, referral agencies, community liaisons/partners, customers, vendors, general public, etc.); work closely with the referral agency for coordination of services and guide youth in developing a positive social support with healthy caring individuals.

Needs Assessment: Conduct initial and periodic assessments of the youth based on agency-administered tools and formats, and continue ongoing skill development (e.g., daily living skills, social skills, communication skills, etc.) with youth using community and DePaul Resources as needed; also asses risk & protective factors for family’s strengths & needs.

Compliance/Policies: Ensures compliance is sustained with 1) all Minimum Standards, program and policies and procedures, and child abuse reporting requirements, and the Code of Virginia, and 2) Agency program policies and procedures

Support Services: Provide support services (as scheduled/on-call) in areas such as 1) attending court hearings, 2) on call rotation, 3) assist in completion of daily apartment, community, and school quality checks, 4) supervisor and coordinate family visits, and ) youth assistance (e.g., transportation, referring community resources, counseling and crisis intervention, establish needed health care and mental health services, self-improvement skills, educational/apprenticeship/volunteer, employment program); on-call support services also for foster families

Training: Oversee and maintain training by 1) attending regular staff meetings, trainings/case presentations, 2) present case staffing and in-service training as needed, and 3) be trained in and understand the relevant provisions related to the Indian Child Welfare Act

Reporting: Inform supervisor of all significant developments on assigned caseload by participating in regularly scheduled supervision with supervisor, and engage in all necessary meetings (e.g., team meetings, treatment team meetings, Family Assessment Planning Team, Community Planning Management Team meetings, community meetings); must also meet all program reports and other document deadline requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & OTHER CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRED:

Knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics or KSAOs are attributes needed to perform a job that is demonstrated through qualifying training, education, and experience. This list is not an exhaustive & all-inclusive list of all KSAOs for this job.

Knowledge of:

Office and records administration techniques and procedures

The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar

Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Sharepoint, Teams, and virtual meeting applications such as Zoom, WebEx, Google Meet

DePaul's policies, procedures, and standard practices and the rules and guidelines established by regulatory and governing agencies

Relevant policies, procedures, and strategies to promote the safety and protection of people, data, and property

Knowledge of methodologies and resources used to assess the needs of the listener or audience to share information or engage in ongoing communication

Skill/Ability to:

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times

Verbal and written communication and body language that conveys information, ideas, or inquiries effectively and concisely that purveys professional composure, emotional intelligence, thoughtfulness, patience, and respect amidst change, ambiguity, and within the daily trajectories of work

Using standard office equipment such as telephone, calculator, printer, scanner, cellular phone, tablet, laptop, postage machine, shredder

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems

Collecting and analyzing data

Managing multiple priorities and completing assignments on time, accurately, and with attention to detail

Developing and maintaining professional working relationships and appropriate boundaries with individuals served, coworkers, community partners, and business associates

Work collaboratively within a team environment and build strategic relations with community partners, co-workers, management, and business associates

Communicate effectively in both oral and written form

Make arithmetical computations and tabulations

Operate a personal computer with a general understanding of MS Office Suites, virtual meeting software, the Internet, and department or program-specific software

Develop objectives, evaluate effectiveness, and assess service plans for individuals served

Analyze and prepare concise and accurate documents, reports, and correspondence

Effectively market the programs and services of the department

Train others

Assist with the general upkeep and cleaning of office areas and agency vehicles

Handle difficult people, behavior, and personalities effectively

Handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure while acknowledging and respecting personal boundaries

Learn policies, procedures, and guidelines established by DePaul, professional organizations, governing agencies, and local laws, statutes, regulations, codes, and standards related to the area of responsibility

Exercise sound judgment and critical thinking in decision-making and solving various work-related situations

Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing

Other Characteristics:

Demonstrate self-awareness, ongoing self-evaluation, and a commitment to being part of a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace where all people are valued

Demonstrate the FIRST (fairness, integrity, respect, safety, trust) values in the daily trajectories of work

Demonstrate professionalism regarding access to sensitive and confidential information related to employees, clients, and business records with no disclosure to others without needing to know.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY:

A Bachelor’s degree in a human services related field with one year of providing casework services to children and families and one additional year of related experience or an equivalent of training/education and/or experience.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described herein represent those an employee encounters while performing the position's essential functions. The employee regularly works in an office environment and occasionally in the field. Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent may be exposed to situations of a highly emotional nature; incumbents are expected to use verbal skills to resolve interpersonal situations to achieve desired results independently. Incumbents are exposed to various living situations and lifestyles. Work is generally completed regularly during weekdays; however, daily work hours will vary. Participation in an on-call rotation and completion of job duties outside of normally scheduled hours is required. Work is subject to frequent interruptions, and noise levels are varied based on the work locations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that an employee in this position must meet, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions successfully. Physical activities required are finger dexterity necessary to operate equipment used in the position, effective communication and seeing or hearing verbal cues. Walking for up to sixty-seven percent of the time, sitting up to sixty-seven percent of the time, bending/stooping for up to sixty-seven percent of the time, lifting/pushing/pulling no more than twenty pounds, and minimal unassisted lifting associated with the job duties are required. When accessing various locations, the incumbent must climb stairs and ramps. This position requires driving to various locations approximately twenty to thirty percent of the employee's working time. Public transportation may not be available. Individuals needing reasonable accommodations should speak with their immediate supervisor/hiring manager.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

After a conditional job offer, the following may be required: current DMV driving record with results that comply with insurer guidelines; drug and alcohol screening with satisfactory results stipulated by applicable governing, funding, or regulatory agencies; criminal and child protective services background report. The applicant shall not have been convicted of any barrier crime(s) on the criminal background report. The applicant will have no founded disposition of child abuse or neglect as documented by the Child Protective Services background report.

NOTE:

This description provides information regarding the essential functions of the designated job and the general nature and level of work associated with the job. It should not be interpreted to describe all the duties whose performance may be required of such employees or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such an individual may be given.

DePaul is an equal opportunity employer and E-Verify participant.