Community Support Mentor

Position Title: Community Support Services Mentor
Location: Dane County
Reports To: Program Manager, South Central
Status: Part Time (1-19 hours weekly)

Pay: $16 - $19/hour, depending on experience

FLSA Status: Not applicable

Are you looking for a position that brings purpose to your life? Would you like to wake up every day knowing that you are making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities? Are you ready to join a team that cares deeply for its staff and has an awesome culture? If this sounds like you, read on for an exciting opportunity to join us at the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin!

Summary:

The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin is a statewide, volunteer-driven non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and related disabilities and their families through awareness, education, information, programs, services, and exchanging ideas and experiences.

DSAW provides programs and services throughout the lifespan (Parents’ First Call for new and expectant parents, children’s services, adult services, employment services, and aging services), as well as educational opportunities and events.

We have an immediate opening for a Community Support Mentor to work one-on-one with individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities in their homes and the community. The Community Support Mentor provides individualized, person-centered support and works towards goals that focus on helping the participant become as independent as possible. For example, a Community Support Mentor might work with a participant on making a healthy snack, learning to count money, and safe internet use. This particular position will spend their time working one-on-one or in small groups with both children and adults. Daytime and late afternoon/early evening hours are needed.

As a face of the organization, successful candidates will be highly positive, energetic, and have a passion for helping individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities to achieve extraordinary lives.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Meet with the Manager and the family to determine individual goals

• Consistently model appropriate social skills

• Support participants by practicing, modeling, and guiding them through real-life experiences

• Research and have the ability to create necessary accommodations for life skills, including: personal hygiene, meal planning and prep, home upkeep, money management, and technology

• Create modifications such as visual schedules or checklists

• Maintain and model positive professional working relationships with participants, guardians, employers, and other significant persons in their lives

• Provide family education to participants' family members and other natural supports

• Advocate for participants as needed and teach advocacy skills

• May need to transport participants within their vehicle

• Attend required meetings and in-service training sessions

• Monitor participants' goals and complete progress notes as needed

• Assist with personal care as needed. (DSAW staff occasionally provide light assistance in the bathroom or at mealtimes.)

• Other duties as assigned, which may include job coaching or Community Day Programs Assistant.
  

Minimum Qualifications

Interpersonal

• Must be a sensitive and mature individual who can relate well to both children and adults

• Demonstrates warmth, insight, interest, and respect for people with disabilities

• Willingness to accept flexibility with their schedule

• Able and knowledgeable to cope with emergencies or behavioral situations in a calm and effective manner

• Able and willing to be a team player and to work cooperatively with their supervisor

• Able to communicate effectively with clients and their families
  

Education/Experience

• The minimum education level for this job is a high school diploma or equivalent, with at least two years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities in a classroom, a place of employment, a day care, a medical, or a residential setting preferred

• Minimum age is 18

• An associate's degree or bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred

• Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and an insured vehicle

• Applicants must pass a background check that meets the State of Wisconsin requirements

Physical and Environmental Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the Community Support Mentor will be required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear clearly. The noise level in the work environment varies from low to high. The job may require the ability to walk, climb stairs, kneel, stoop, and may require the employee to lift and/or move items weighing up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. The job may require extended periods of sitting or standing.