Personal Advocate
Location: Community based
Salary: $25.00 per hour
Employment: Part Time, 12 Month position - hours vary. Flexible schedule, Monday through Sunday - determined by individuals needs and schedule
Summary/Objective: The Personal Advocate works directly with the individual(s) assigned to his/her care as well as with the individual?s family to develop a meaningful relationship based on trust and shared experiences. This stable relationship developed over time will provide the individual with an advocate who understands the individual?s strengths and needs and his/her likes, dislikes and preferences. This is a part-time position. Days and hours of work are determined by the individual?s needs and schedule. May include evening and weekend hours.
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent;
- Knowledge of community resources and means of accessing these resources;
- A minimum of one year of experience working with individuals with disabilities providing habilitation or independent living skills training;
- Outstanding leadership and communication skills, demonstrated skills and abilities in program planning/evaluation, fiscal and project management, quality assurance and continuous quality improvement programs;
- Ability to effectively develop teams and work within interdisciplinary teams to enhance customer service and service delivery is necessary; and
- Valid NYS driver?s license with clean driving record.
- Must have reliable transportation.
Competency Requirements
- Has excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- Participates well in collaborative and teamwork settings;
- Is fully accountable for all actions taken; and
- Engages in ethical conduct and practices.
Responsibilities include:
- Imparts the agency?s philosophy of ?Equal Opportunity, Independence and Realization of Individual Potential? to children, families, program staff and the community at large;
- Maintains confidentiality of information relating to individuals and their families in accordance with agency policies and applicable laws and regulations;
- Assists the individual in the process of receiving the resources and services he/she needs;
- Assists the individual in obtaining high quality programs, services, choices and opportunities that embrace his/her own interest, goals and family traditions;
- Assists the individual in his/her short-term planning with an eye on long-term life plan goals being met;
- Routinely spends time with the individual engaged in: recreation, socialization, faith-based activities, special cares (e.g.; haircuts, etc.) and special events/holidays such as graduations, performances, birthday celebrations and holidays;
- Obtains routine updates on how the individual is doing across all programs/services in which the individual is involved;
- Assists the individual in obtaining stable access and appropriate supports for basic needs (e.g., housing, personal care, food, health care, etc.);
- Assists in the effort to make sure that the individual?s rights (those afforded to all individuals as well as those guaranteed by service delivery systems and insurance providers) are honored/protected;
- Attends medical appointments and/or obtains and reviews information from providers regarding medical care and scheduled follow up;
- Assists the individual if he/she is encountering difficulties with respect to emotional supports and/or problem solving and developing action steps;
- Attends planning meetings to participate in the process of making sure that the individual?s interests, desires, abilities and needs are reflected in plans;
- Acts as the individual?s primary advocate regarding service systems provided by the Office of Persons with Developmental Disabilities and the New York State Department of Education, when appropriate and approved in advance by the agency;
- Assists the individual in making sure that the individual's fiscal plan includes sufficient money for day-to-day activities as well as saving for special items/events such as larger purchases, vacations and the like;
- Assists the individual in obtaining appropriate representation regarding legal matters;
- Maintains documentation as required by the Program.
- Participates in conferences, workshops, agency department meetings and in-service training as needed or recommended to enhance job skills and personal growth and development; and
- Adheres to agency policies and procedures as well as department guidelines.
Note: Unless specific arrangements are made and approved in advance in writing by the agency?s CEO/President or Chief Operating Officer or Head of Human Resources, the advocate shall NOT serve as the individual?s guardian of his/her property or person.
Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Supervisory Responsibility: None.
Work Environment: This job involves the advocate operating in a professional environment from his/her office, from his/her home and/or in the presence of the individual being served. This role routinely involves the use of standard office equipment.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and assist with consumer transfers. The employee must be able to push/pull 250-300 pounds ? maximum weight (individual in wheelchair).
Travel: Travel is primarily local during the business day. Some out-of-the-area and overnight and weekend travel may be expected.
EEO Statement: The agencies are equal opportunity employers. We do not discriminate against employees or applicants in the hiring, promotion, compensation, placement, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence or any other term or condition of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender orientation/identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran, domestic violence victim status, prior arrest and conviction records or any other protected category in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
