Description:
Location: Merced, CA
Position Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt (37.5-hour workweek)
Benefits: Paid holidays, sick leave, vacation leave, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
Position Summary
Under the supervision of the Assistant Director and the IL Lead Specialist, the Community Information & Independent Living Specialist (CIC/ILS) delivers person-centered services and resource coordination to empower individuals with disabilities to live independent and inclusive lives. This dual-role position combines direct independent living support with community information, referral management, and local outreach across Merced and the broader service area.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Direct Consumer Services & Independent Living:
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Work directly with consumers to provide person-centered support aligned with the Independent Living movement, including housing, peer support, skills training, benefits planning, transition support, and self-advocacy.
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Develop comprehensive person-centered plans and independent living plans tailored to each individual's goals.
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Support the planning, delivery, and promotion of Peer Support Group activities for consumers, caregivers, and community partners.
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Complete consumer intakes, service notes, and data entries in the database in a timely and accurate manner.
Community Information, Outreach & Resource Management:
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Develop, maintain, and navigate an accessible, ready-reference guide of current community resources across Merced, Madera, and Fresno Counties.
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Serve as a primary point of contact for inquiries, logging calls in real-time into the MiCIL/RICV database and facilitating access to language interpretation via PROPIO services when required.
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Represent RICV at local community outreach events, networking with institutional settings, service providers, and local/state agencies to build strong community partnerships.
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Organize and participate in educational activities and community organizing efforts to raise awareness of RICV services, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) programs, ADA/Olmstead rights, and systems change advocacy goals.
General & Administrative:
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Assist in developing annual program goals and prepare reports for funding sources as required.
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Successfully complete all required RICV trainings.
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Attend team meetings, foster positive professional working relationships, and perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
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Education & Experience: One year of college combined with 2–3 years of experience in social services (relevant experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis).
Knowledge & Skills:
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Strong alignment with or motivation to learn the Independent Living movement and philosophy (personal experience with a disability or prior experience working with people with disabilities preferred).
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Google Workspace (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar, Forms).
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Excellent communication, organizational, time-management, and public speaking skills for both in-person and virtual presentations.
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Ability to work adaptively in a fast-paced environment and learn new systems quickly.
Travel & Special Requirements:
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Ability to travel throughout the RICV catchment area (Fresno, Madera, Merced Counties).
Requirements:
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
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Two years’ experience working in social services.
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Previous Knowledge or motivation to learn of The Independent Living movement and philosophy.
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Personal experience with a disability preferred.
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Previous knowledge of working with people with disabilities is a plus.
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Strong communication, collaboration, organizational, time management, and people skills.
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Ability to work in an ever changing, fast-paced, creative environment.
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Ability to learn quickly and willingness to learn new skills.
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Skilled in use of Microsoft Office suite of products
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Word, Outlook, Power Point, and Excel
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Skilled in use of Google Suite of products
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Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive,
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Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Forms
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Ability to effectively present information to consumers and their family, staff, local, and state agencies, and public groups about RICV Services& Programs.
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Ability to travel throughout the RICV catchment area of Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced, and Tulare Counties, if needed.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS PREFERRED
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Bi-lingual in English and Spanish
NOTIFICATION:
Resources for Independence Central Valley is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
Resources for Independence Central Valley is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and employment for people with disabilities.
