Lutheran Community Care Job Board
Life Skills Specialist
Description
To provide direct hands-on life skill training to persons with a developmental disability and teach them to develop skills for independent living. Provide life skills training through one-to-one interaction or in a group setting. Life skills training and support aims to promote, independence, self-management, and self-reliance. Life skills training and support covers three broad categories:
- Core or basic skills (i.e., personal hygiene, health & wellness, numeracy, literacy);
- Independent living skills (i.e., managing a household, budgeting, booking and attending appointments, dealing with correspondence); and,
- Social skills (i.e., interpersonal skills, managing disagreements or disputes, developing self-confidence, and build social networks).
Responsibilities:
A. General Support
- Provided direct outreach and engagement in home and community.
- Assist people with navigating community resources and services.
- Help people make formal and informal connections and referrals.
- Attend all team meetings and individual meetings with the Program Supervisor.
- Assist with creating a work schedule based on client and program needs.
B. Life Skills Training
- Using a flexible and proactive approach, provide direct hands-on assistance to teach people the skills necessary for them to achieve their personal goals.
- Plan and implement activities to meet the physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs of people. Activities may include healthy peer interactions, one-to-one support or group facilitation.
- Help people to explore a broad range of experience that meet their personal goals and needs.
- Identify needs and trends for life skills training opportunities.
- Promote interdependence which leads to self-reliance and sustainability.
- Encourage adaptability and resourcefulness to assist people with accessing community services relevant to their situation.
- Create resources and tools that could assist people with learning.
- Create opportunities for learning that are inclusive, involve people supported and other service sectors.
- Help people identify their life skills training goal. Ensure goals are specific, measurable, attainable, and relevant to the person. Track and record progress to achieving goals.
C. Community Capacity Development & Networking
- Develop community partnerships with the goal of improving independence and inclusion, increasing community capacity, decreasing barriers, and providing more opportunities for people.
- Develop and facilitate opportunities for people to enhance their skills and build connections within their community.
- Encourage and support individuals to develop relationships and natural networks or enhance existing positive networks of support.
- Develop and participate in presentations to the public to provide education about LCC and the people who receive service from the program Lutheran Community Care
D. Communication
- Communicate securely and confidentially with people receiving service, including their networks of support.
- Communication with people receiving service will be clear, appropriate, respectful considering the goals, limitations, and boundaries of the helping relationship.
- Maintain excellent daily communication with team members and Supervisor.
- Respond to phone calls, messages, and emails in a timely manner.
E. Documentation and Data Collection
- Collect and track data that will be used to develop material for presentations and general education.
- Maintain up-to-date required program documentation and record daily interaction with individuals in service using a client information database.
F. Team Work
- Cultivate a team environment that is flexible and responsive.
- Develop and maintain a supportive working relationship with other LCC program staff and the community.
- Contribute to the vision, goals and objectives of LCC programs and services.
- Identify trends, improvements and best practices in an effort to better meet the needs of adults with a developmental disability.
- Provide support and training to all new members of the team.
Qualifications:
Social Work Degree, Social Service Worker Diploma or a degree or diploma in an acceptable related discipline. Experience in and knowledge of services to individuals with a developmental disability or a combination of education and experience, is required. Familiarity with other community sectors and services. Demonstrated aptitude for broad exploration of new and unique means of attaining goals. Demonstrated ability to relate to individuals with a developmental disability with sensitivity and respect. Ability to initiate the helping process with a wide variety of individuals, work co-operatively and effectively with other professionals and organize self to respond to high work demands is required. Intermediate knowledge of personal computer operation including word processing, data entry, and file management required. Excellent written, verbal communication, and conflict resolution skills are required. Ability to speak French will be considered an asset.
Conditions of Employment:
Successful completion of Police Records Check – Vulnerable Sector screening, Conflict of Interest declaration and Oath of Confidentiality is required. A valid driver's license, use of a vehicle and appropriate insurance coverage. Regular hours are M-F 8:30a to 4:30p. LSSs may be required to work outside of regular hours to provide support to the individual we serve.
Compensation
$33.01 - $35.89 per hour