Job Opportunity: Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, Inc | Peer Advocate/Youth Transition Specialist

INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER OF THE HUDSON VALLEY, INC.

15-17 Third Street, Troy, NY 12180
Voice/TTY (518) 274-0701 FAX (518) 274-7944

802 Columbia St, Fl.1, Hudson, NY 12534
Voice (518) 828-4886 TTY (518) 828-6293
FAX (518) 828-2592

Peer Advocate/Youth Transition Specialist

The Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley is a consumer-led community organization providing direct services and advocating on behalf of persons with disabilities. We envision a world in which people with disabilities enjoy the same right for self-determination, economic freedom and full and equal participation in community life as their non-disabled peers. The Peer Advocate/Youth Transition Coordinator will work with both adults and young people to promote independence.

The responsibilities of the Peer Advocate/Youth Transition Specialist are to:

• Conduct outreach activities that will inform consumers of the availability of peer advocacy services;
• Assist consumers in identifying their future goals and laying out a plan to achieve them;
• Both advocate on behalf of consumers to ensure they receive all the services to which they are entitled and teach them how to become their own advocates;
• Engage young people in middle and high school, who are in need of assistance transitioning from school settings to work, post-secondary education, and living independently;
• Create a series of after school programs that will hone youth leadership skills. Programs may include on-site skills training, off-site visits to community settings such as work places, recreational areas, and cultural venues;
• Work with other youth serving organizations in the community to ensure the needs of youth with disabilities are addressed.

The qualifications are:

• A bachelor’s degree and one year of experience working with people with disabilities or four years of such experience;
• Ability to work independently;
• Knowledge of independent living and the disability service system;
• Preference given to individuals who have personal experience with disability.

This is a full time position (37½ hours per week); salary is $37,000. Interested individuals should send a resume and cover letter to the address above, attention Karen Garofallou or via e-mail at kgarofallou@ilchv.org