STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: Evaluates and instructs adults who are blind and/or visually impaired and have developmental disabilities in all program components including prevocational, daily living, functional academic skills, etc. under the assigned Supervisor. Coordinates activities for participants in the Adult Living Skills (ALS) program.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
Instructor:
Assigns duties and classroom activities to program volunteers and group workers, under the supervision and approval of the Director;
Conducts instruction and evaluations of program participants in all program components, with assistance from group workers, volunteers, and other program aides; identifies and prepares teaching material and supplies for instructional sessions;
Collaborates with other staff members in planning and implementing Individualized Service Plans (ISP) and behavior management plans for each program participant;
Coordinates, assigns, and carries out small group activities and individual assignments developed in the daily lesson plans; ability to conduct individual and group training sessions with participants;
Develops and implements weekly lesson plans appropriate to the group to include educational and practical experiences in areas such as art, music, language, literature, technology, fine and gross motor skills, etc;
Prepares progress notes and evaluations as directed by the Supervisor;
Instructs and assists program participants in mobility, self-care, and socialization needs, as well as assist in developing prevocational skills;
Attends weekly staff meetings and other professional meetings, as directed by the supervisor;
Assists in planning and carrying out recreational activities and field trips; assists in coordinating a variety of leisure and community activities;
Maintains service delivery notes on participants progress on formal goals;
Provides protection and safe conditions for all program participants of whom the staff is in-charge;
Provides supervisor with immediate information regarding participant medical issues or problem behaviors which could result in serious disruptive acts against program participants or others;
Ensures the safety and security of program and environment, following agency emergency procedures to handle cases of accident, illness or emergency; must be able to demonstrate basic emergency procedures such as first aid, seeking emergency medical attention as well as identifying and reporting abuse;
Records on a daily basis arrival and departure times of each individual participant including the actual hours in which participants attended the program;
Performs other duties as needed by the Director.
Activity Coordinator:
Acts as contact person for Adult Living Skills program in the absence of the Director;
Plans weekly schedule under the direction of the Director;
Plan and distribute weekly staff schedule indicating goals to be addressed with individual participants, and general activities in the classroom and program;
Plan, coordinate and communicate weekly activity schedule to the Director. Activities to include but not limited to: field trips, cook outs, special events, restaurants, museums etc.;
Plan and coordinate reservations, transportation, meal planning with participants etc. for each outing;
Recruit and coordinate in conjunction with Volunteer Coordinator scheduling and assigning volunteers as needed per each outing;
Review and distribute activity schedule to staff and participants;
Bachelor's degree in a human services field, including, but not limited to sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling or psychology;
At least one-year experience working with adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities;
Completion of Department of Human Services (DHS) Direct Service Provider (DSP) training mandatory;
Current OIG Rule 50 Training, First Aid and Adult CPR certification;
Excellent organizational and communication skills;
Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel required; and
Commitment to our mission of providing opportunities for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind, or multi-disabled is essential.
The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired is an Equal Opportunity Employer in full compliance with local, state, and federal Civil Rights & Affirmative Action laws. The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired maintains a strong policy of accommodation and a consistent practice of employing qualified individuals with disabilities. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, sexual orientation, military status, order of protection status or unfavorable discharge from military service.