Lead Community Integration Specialist

Title: Lead Community Integration Specialist
Reports to: Program Manager
Department: Exceptional Community Connections
Location: Various Community Locations
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Program Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Supervisory Responsibility: None

Position Summary:
The Lead Community Integration Specialist will be under the direct supervision of the program manager and will assist in the implementation of the purpose and goal of the ECF community integration program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with the training of community integration specialists and program aides. Assist with providing complete and comprehensive training to staff and participants including monthly safety drills, monthly safety training, etc. Provide orientation and work training (policy and procedures, etc.) for new hires. Assist the program manager with day-to-day operations including scheduling of work hours and assignments. Provide direction and guidance to program staff as instructed by program manager. Model professional behavior at all times; especially as related to verbal and written communication, attendance, punctuality, work habits, and safety. Provide input as requested for annual staff evaluations. Assist the program manager with staff/participant conflict resolution and to participate in discussions and/or provide information to program manager to facilitate problem resolution. Provide direct service in program operations, as needed, to assure positive outcomes and adequate staffing ratios.
• Provide input to case manager/s in the development of Individual Program Plans. Monitor the progress of clients’ goals and ensure that progress reports are completed and submitted in a timely manner. Provide behavioral intervention to participants through appropriate methods as designated through NCI Training and overall goals. Integrating participants with a 1-3 ratio in person-centered community activities. exploring community resources based on participant choice, job exploring, productive recreational activities as indicated in curriculum and managing contacts to cultivate, grow and in maintaining each relationship. Healthy lifestyle will be supported by community agency partnerships, both in-house and in the community. Ensure all clients have appropriate supervision while attending the program. This includes arrival, departure, breaks/lunches and during community activities. Will assist participants to become self-advocates and independent through self- determination.
• Use public transportation, ECF vehicles, or own vehicle to transport and/or accompany staff and participants to volunteer commitments, community activities and events as needed.
• Inspect program vehicles regularly. Maintain vehicle logs, perform regular maintenance checks reporting issues immediately to the program manager and ensure that maintenance is kept up to date. Ensure that vehicles are kept clean and orderly.
• On-going exploration of community resources for volunteer and recreational opportunities based on participant choice, job exploring, productive recreational activities as indicated in curriculum and managing contacts to cultivate, grow and in maintaining each relationship. Healthy lifestyle will be supported by community agency partnerships, both in-house and in the community. Monitor established volunteer and activity sites regularly to assure that sites continue to be appropriate and beneficial to program participants.
• Provide supervision, training, and evaluation of participants’ choice of volunteer and community based activities
• Teach new skills identified in the participants’ Individual Program Plan (IPP) including but not limited to self-help, communication, gross and fine motor, vocational, pre- employment, cognitive, social-emotional skills and in identifying and accessing important community resources. Assist in the development of motivational techniques and in improving work skills of participants
• Attend in-service trainings and staff meetings.

Other Duties:

• Comply with ECF’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program. Ensure safe use and operation of tools and/or equipment.
• Comply with ECF policies and procedures, including mandated reporting requirements.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required for this position.
• Assist participants as needed with personal hygiene, including toileting, illness, and incidents of incontinence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
Education/Licenses/Certifications: Bachelor’s Degree required.
Experience: Two years working with individuals with special needs.

Knowledge/Abilities/Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with participants to provide direction and understand their needs.
• Detail oriented with excellent documentation skills.
• Patience and compassion to work with individuals with a variety of special needs.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to drive ECF van.

Requirements:

• Driving is an essential function of this position. Proof of valid California driver’s license, reliable transportation, evidence of state-mandated car insurance, and insurable driving record are required. While driving for work, should a need arise, the employee’s insurance is deemed primary and ECF’s coverage is secondary
• Provide evidence of a negative TB test initially and every three years afterward. Pass a pre-employment physical.
• Obtain NCI, First Aid and CPR certification within the first 3 months of employment and maintain as required.

Work Environment
This is a program for adults who have varying degrees of learning, behavioral, emotional, and developmental disabilities. Employee may encounter participants in crisis, exhibiting emotional/Psychological distress or behaving in an aggressive manner. Work will be performed primarily in the field. Environment may include frequent interruptions, loud noise, odors, varying indoor temperature, and drafts. Outdoor temperature and weather may vary.

Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.

• Mobility to work in a program setting or in the community using mobile devices.
• Require the use of hands to produce records and/or documentation in manual or electronic format.
• Vision to read printed materials and computer screen.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 60 pounds with assistance.
• Required to travel to various sites within Los Angeles County. Ability to implement NCI, First Aid and CPR.
• Ability to stand for most of the work shift and lift 20 pounds unassisted.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
Exceptional Children’s Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We are on a mission to support independence, belonging and community. We strive to build a culture that is safe, respectful, fair, and supportive for all employees. We are proud to employ people of all backgrounds who possess the talent, energy, and focus to accelerate our vision forward.