Opportunities Jobs & Careers

Definition

85% Remote work from home full-time/permanent position. Does require at minimum one day of the week in office, plus in office staff meetings. Under the supervision of the WIPA Project Manager or Executive Director, the CWIC is responsible for ensuring people with disabilities receive the appropriate services which will enable them to live more independently in the community. The CWIC will coordinate and develop work incentive benefits analysis planning and assistance to beneficiaries who are employed or seeking employment.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Full-time/permanent, At-Will employee working for an Independent Living Center (ILC), whose mission it is to empower individuals with disabilities to have choice and control of their lives. Candidates applying for this position should expect to perform a full range of benefits advising and support duties related to this mission and will be expected to demonstrate appropriate office-related computer skills.

This position requires having the ability to communicate in an effective, polite, and professional manner with individuals of various cognitive and communication abilities, as well as having the ability to maintain good judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.

Supervision Received and Exercised

This position works under general supervision, working alone on routine or regular work assignments and reporting to the WIPA Project Manager or Executive Director on non-routine assignments or when in doubt as to the correct procedures to follow.

Typical Working Conditions

Standard office environment, working with and around people with varying degrees and types of disabilities.

• Provide benefits advising and work incentives to consumers. CWIC's will provide planning and assistance to persons with disabilities (and their families) who are potentially eligible to participate in Federal and State work incentive programs.
• Conduct outreach efforts to persons with disabilities. Facilitate public forums relating to services provided.
• Work with Federal, State, and private agencies/nonprofit organizations that serve Persons with Disabilities with emphasis on SSA.
• Provide information on the adequacy of health benefits coverage that may be offered by an employer to persons with disabilities, including other such coverage that may be available.
• Conduct intakes and assessments and provide case file management and documentation, including research related to specified field.
• Provide work incentives planning and assistance directly to beneficiaries to assist with employment efforts.
• Help develop educational materials to facilitate understanding and use of work incentives.
• Understands communications and models Independent Living Philosophy.
• Submit a quarterly report that emphasizes WIPA deliverables and outcomes.
• Provide SSA work incentives outreach, trainings, and technical assistance to community members and human service workers.
• Demonstrate knowledge of SSA field office structure and how to work with various SSA Work Incentive specialists such as AWICs, PASS Specialist and Work Incentive Liaison.
• Conduct outreach efforts in collaboration with SSA's Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach (PMRO) contractor to beneficiaries and their families who are potentially eligible to participate in work incentive programs.
• Screen and refer beneficiaries with disabilities to the appropriate employment networks.
• Show knowledge of SSA's SSDI and SSI disability program and work incentives as well as other federal, state, and local work incentive programs and be able to communicate this knowledge to beneficiaries so they understand.
• Experience using Microsoft Office 2010 and various database software.
• Various other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The knowledge and ability requirements are representative of essential duties. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Knowledge of:

• Benefits Summary and Analysis.
• SSI, SSDI work incentives and Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE).
• Organizations and services available to people with disabilities.
• Understanding the concepts of the Independent Living philosophy.
• Methods of data collection.

Ability to:

• Analyze data and formulate successful solutions.
• Understand the sensitivity to the needs of persons with disabilities and diverse populations.
• Be self-motivated with good verbal, written and organizational skills.
• Successfully relate to and communicate with people with disabilities and their families.
• Conduct intake and assessments of all consumers seeking WIPA services.
• Maintain a large number of consumer files.
• Read and understand rules, policies, and procedures.
• Use good judgment, discretion, and maintain confidentiality.

Physical Standards:

• Mobility: ability to sit for long periods, move about an office, stand occasionally, and reach above and below desk level.
• Dexterity: fine manipulation sufficient to operate a computer keyboard, handle individual papers, write, and take notes.
• Visual Requirements: close vision sufficient to read files, documents, and computer screens and do close-up work; ability to adjust focus frequently.
• Hearing/Talking: ability to communicate with people with disabilities.
• Interpersonal Skills: ability to make decisions and concentrate; frequent contact with others including public contact; frequent deadlines and time-limited assignments.

Additional Skills Desirable but Not Required:

• Fluent, accurate, spoken, and written Spanish
• American Sign Language (ASL)

• A.A., A.S., B.A. or B.S. degree in human services or related field and significant experience with disability issues.
• Knowledge and understanding the concepts of the Independent Living philosophy.
• Self-motivated with good verbal, written, and organizational skills.
• Experience working with people with disabilities is strongly desirable.

DRAIL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request an alternative format of this document, or further information concerning the position, please e-mail DRAIL at info@drail.org.

Full-time, under general supervision working for an Independent Living Center (ILC), whose mission is to empower individuals with disabilities to have choice and control of their lives. This involves the delivery of the six core services: needs assessments, information, and referral to appropriate resources, outreach, developing consumer IL plans, housing assistance, peer advising, independent living skills training, case staffing, grassroots advocacy and the maintaining of required paperwork.

Service Provision Duties:

• Responsible for coordination and delivery of the six "core" services
• Travel within our six counties and work at our satellite offices as needed.
• Information and Referral to appropriate community-based organizations as needed Answer phones and provide assistance to consumers, caregivers, and the general public.
• Respond to emergency events affecting the disabled community during natural disasters, power outages and other various events as determined by the Office of Emergency Services or the Executive Director and work the event assigned. Hours and days may be unknown and are based on the emergency event.
• Work with the disability community within San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Mother Lode communities in developing local resources.
• Coordinate, network, and maintain working relationships with various agencies, and Independent Living Centers to facilitate coordination of independent living options, programs, services, and accessibility for persons with disabilities. 
• Advocate with agencies, business, and government bodies to assist persons with disabilities to live as independently as they choose.
• Submit monthly service provider reports to supervisor.
• Advocate for and with consumers that need AT through Medi-Cal, Medicare.
• Gather and organize information on a wide range of AT topics; maintain information in ready-reference format.
• Resolve inquiries of a general nature and make referrals to community resources and agencies when appropriate.
• Network with other professionals in the field of AT throughout the state.
• Educate consumers regarding AT Network.
• Promotes use of Assistive Technology within under-served and under-represented consumer populations.
• Advances the importance of AT in helping people with disabilities to live independently, with a specific emphasis on physical disabilities, durable medical equipment (DME), and other mobility-related devices.
• Implements strategies to increase the use of AT in the business sector.
• Identifies potential funders for acquisition of AT.
• Updates and posts new resources for the AT Directory
• Provides AT-related information and referral assistance.
• Engages with other AT Coordinators in an effort to strengthen and expand acquisition and use of AT.
• Conducts training on AT equipment, devices, accessibility software, and supportive systems, as well as formal assessments to identify AT-related consumer needs.
• Works directly with consumers to achieve their AT goals through coordination of services.
• Maintain accurate records of services provided in the community center such as class registrations, center check ins, and documenting CILSuite and consumer participation.
• Attend trainings or certificate programs related to position.
• Submit individual quarterly reports.
• Network with other professionals in the field of AT or IL Services throughout the state.
• Carry out all other duties as assigned.

Position Expectations:

• Standard office environment, working with and around people with varying degrees and types of disabilities.
• Various working hours based on project or event.
• Various working locations including travel with field work during disaster events.
• Ability to establish and maintain friendly and professional working relationships with consumers and their family members, the general public and agency personnel in both group and individual settings.
• Organize and prioritize work activities.
• Read and understand rules, policies, and procedures.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with politeness and professionalism with staff and the community at large.
• Use good judgment, discretion, and maintain confidentiality.
• Set the tone for an organizational culture that combines respectful collaboration with disciplined productivity within a business-like and process-sensitive environment.
• Ability to take initiative and ability to work away from the office with integrity with limited supervision.
• Ability to work well under pressure.

Physical Standards:

• Mobility: ability to sit for long periods, move about an office, stand occasionally, and reach above and below desk level.
• Dexterity: fine manipulation sufficient to operate a computer keyboard, handle individual papers, write, and take notes.
• Minimal lifting.
• Visual Requirements: close vision sufficient to read files, documents, and computer screens and do close-up work; ability to adjust focus frequently.
• Hearing/Talking: ability to communicate with people with disabilities.
• Interpersonal Skills: ability to make decisions and concentrate; frequent contact with others including public contact; frequent deadlines and time-limited assignments.

Additional Skills Desirable but Not Required:

• Experience working with people with disabilities.
• American Sign Language (ASL).
• Spanish Speaking.

• High School Diploma
• 2 years' experience working or training in Assistive Technology or a related field (knowledge of and experience with mobility-related devices is preferred); or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) Certification (RESNA) may be obtained within the first six (6) months of hire.
• Evidence of familiarity with computer systems, adaptive software and hardware, and operational programs.

DRAIL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request an alternative format of this document, or further information concerning the position, please e-mail DRAIL at info@drail.org.

Full time/permanent position under the direction of the Community Services Director or the Executive Director and is responsible for delivery of the six core services with case services and assisting persons with disabilities to receive appropriate services which will enable them to live more independently.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The knowledge and ability requirements are representative of essential duties. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Service Provision Duties:

• Intake & Assessments of consumers current abilities and evaluate their individual needs
• Develop Independent Living Plans based on individual consumer needs using choice options counseling
• Information and Referral to appropriate community-based organizations as needed
• Peer advising support to consumers and caregivers
• Assessment of Assistive Technology needs and eligibility of services
• Transition and Diversion Assessment & Services
• Provide direct consumer services related to independent living skills, healthcare & academic advocacy, social security advocacy, general assistance advocacy, in home accessibility assessments & assistive technology advocacy and housing application support.
• Transportation training or transportation support for consumers related to independent living plan as needed
• Promote and participate in various community center activities
• Community outreach and public education (homeless outreach, community partnerships, agency presentations, event outreach)
• Coordinate services with community-based organizations, AT vendors, licensed contractors, healthcare providers and various types of social workers
• Advocate with agencies, businesses, and government bodies to assist persons with disabilities to live as independently as they choose
• Advocate for and with consumers that need AT through Medi-Cal, Medicare, or other various potential funding sources
• Answer phones and provide assistance to consumers, caregivers, and the general public
• Respond to emergency events affecting the disabled community during natural disasters, power outages and other various events as determined by the Office of Emergency Services or the Executive Director and work the event assigned. Hours and days may be unknown and are based on the emergency event.

Administrative Duties:

• Assist with programmatic reporting as needed
• Maintain accurate records of services requested and provided
• Attend trainings or certificate programs related to position
• Educate consumers regarding AT Network resources
• Submit individual quarterly report to the Community Service Director
• Network with other professionals in the field of AT or IL Services throughout the state

Position Expectations:

• Standard office environment, working with and around people with varying degrees and types of disabilities
• Various working hours based on project or event
• Various working locations including travel with field work during disaster events
• Ability to establish and maintain friendly and professional working relationships with consumer and their family members, the general public and agency personnel in both group and individual settings
• Organize and prioritize work activities
• Read and understand rules, policies, and procedures
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with politeness and professionalism with staff and the community at large
• Use good judgment, discretion, and maintain confidentiality
• Set the tone for an organizational culture that combines respectful collaboration with disciplined productivity within a business-like and process-sensitive environment
• Ability to take initiative and ability to work away from the office with integrity with limited supervision
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Aptitude for working with various mechanical devices and equipment.
• Ability to demonstrate skills and experience in:
  • Promoting an understanding of disability related concerns to diverse audiences
  • Communication with persons of diverse backgrounds and professional communication styles
  • Informal instruction, coaching and tutoring skills
  • Statistical data collection and reporting
  • General office procedures and office equipment
  • Organization, time management and prioritization skills

Physical Standards:

• Mobility: ability to sit for long periods, move about an office, stand occasionally, and reach above and below desk level
• Dexterity: fine manipulation sufficient to operate a computer keyboard, handle individual papers, write, and take notes
• Visual Requirements: close vision sufficient to read files, documents, and computer screens and do close-up work; ability to adjust focus frequently
• Hearing/Talking: ability to communicate with people with disabilities
• Interpersonal Skills: ability to make decisions and concentrate; frequent contact with others including public contact; frequent deadlines and time-limited assignments

Additional Skills Desirable but Not Required:

• Experience working with people with disabilities
• American Sign Language (ASL)
• Spanish Speaking

• A.A. /A.S. degree in human services or equivalent experience in related employment

DRAIL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request an alternative format of this document, or further information concerning the position, please e-mail DRAIL at info@drail.org.