Veteran Direct Care Independent Living Specialist

Position: Veteran Direct Care Independent Living Specialist

Salary: $60,000

About CIDNY:

The Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York (CIDNY) is the leading organization serving and representing people with disabilities in New York City. CIDNY's mission is the removal of barriers to full integration of people with disabilities. CIDNY helps people with disabilities to gain the skills and obtain the services they need to live independently in the community and advocates for fair and effective policies that improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. CIDNY is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Basic Function:

The Independent Living Specialist will report to the Director of Employment Vocational Rehabilitation Services and will work collaboratively as well with other programs at CIDNY. The Independent Living Specialist’s key role is to assist the Veterans with disabilities who are home bound and their direct care workers to execute activities of daily living tasks (ADL’s). Travel across the boroughs will be required.

Education and Training:

A minimum of an Associates/bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience to successfully perform the essential duties of the position may be substituted.

Specific Duties:

• Develop a working and collaborative relationship with veterans of the Veteran Direct Care Program.
• Responsible for ensuring that direct care workers selected by the veteran provide the ADL services with a focus on person-centered planning to meet the needs of the Veterans to live independently, including but not limited to linkages to community resources, budgeting, transportation, and health care referrals.
• Help the Veteran to manage his or her monthly financial budget for the Veteran Direct Care Program.
• Ensure that the veteran has monthly contact either by phone, Zoom or in person.
• Make home-in-person visits each quarter and document all visits into the database.
• Provide suggestions to the veteran when procuring direct care workers when necessary.
• Submit all program activities into the Cilsfirst database.
• Be able to write, read emails and documents as needed, and comply with mandated training.
• Collaborate with the Director of Employment Vocational Rehabilitation Services in supporting the Veteran as needed.
• Track and report all activities in the program’s database.
• Perform other duties as requested based on the need of the Veteran and the Director of Employment and Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

Experience:

• Experience with the concepts of Independent Living, consumer control, and a strong commitment to promoting and advocating for the full integration of individuals with disabilities and Veterans.
• Experience transitioning individuals from institutions (Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Rehabilitation Centers) to the community.
• Willingness and ability to readily respond to changing circumstances and expectations.
• Prior veteran experience helpful.
• Knowledge of the Veterans Administration (VA) and the Veterans Medical Center (VMC) and its population of Veterans.
• Knowledge of Medical and Mental Health conditions and disabilities under the (Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Ability to Instruct Veteran Direct Care workers to execute Activities of Daily Living.

Travel Demands:

There may be a need for the Veteran to need assistance and support when traveling to a medical appointment, or any other Clinical needs appointment.

You must make quarterly in-person-in-home visits for all veterans that you are working with on your caseload.

All travel expenses to the veteran’s home will be reimbursed to the employee by submitting a CIDNY’s issued expense report.

Equipment Operated:

The employee must be able to use a computer/Laptop, Phone, Printer/Copier.

Working Environment:

This position will consist of a hybrid schedule; must report in-person to the office two days per week; must report for in-person-home visits to the veteran’s home.

Other Information:

We conform to all laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.

Number of Employees Directly Supervised:

0

Supervised by:

This position reports to The Veteran and the program are overseen by the Director of Employment Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

How to apply:

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Sara Schacter-Erenburg, Director of Employment Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Do not send resumes by fax. Please use the job title as email header. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in New York, NY 10018