Advocate Job Opening in Marin County, California

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Independent Living Advocate/Benefits Counselor

Bi-Lingual

The Bi-Lingual Independent Living Advocate/ Benefits

Counselor will work under the direction of the Program Manager and will

be part of a team of service providers who work with persons with all

types of disabilities in Marin County. The essential duties of the

position include Benefits Counseling, Independent Living Skills

Training, Systems Change Advocacy, Peer Counseling, Information and

Referral, Community Integration, Public Education, Outreach, and

Collaboration/Networking.

The Bi-Lingual Independent Living Advocate/ Benefits Counselor will

specifically target the Spanish speaking community in delivering

services. They will specifically work on expanding the Breast Cancer

Benefits Counseling services the agency provides to uninsured and

underinsured individuals in the Spanish Speaking community of Marin

County.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following are essential functions of the job and the individual must

be fully capable of performing these functions.

Benefits Counseling

Assistance or representation in obtaining access to benefits, services,

and programs to which people with disabilities may be entitled to.

Examples include Breast Cancer Cervical Treatment Program, Social

Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, utilities

assistance, and public/private health insurance.

Independent Living Skills Training

Instruction on developing skills in such areas as personal care, coping,

financial management, social skills, and household management. This may

also include education and training necessary for living in the

community and participating in community activities.

Systems Change Advocacy

Work with the Systems Change Network of the California Foundation of

Independent Living Centers (CFILC), community members, consumers and

concerned Marin County agencies to promote independence and the

inclusion of people with disabilities.

Peer Counseling

Provide counseling, teaching, information sharing and similar kinds of

contact to individuals with disabilities.

Information and Referral

Provide a variety of different community resources such as housing,

financial assistance, employment and legal services to individuals with

disabilities.

Community Integration

Assist individuals in relocating from nursing homes or other

institutions back into the community. Work with other public and

private entities to establish new community options or capacities to

meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.

Public Education

Conduct activities focused on informing individuals or organizations

about the mission and services provided by Marin CIL for people with

disabilities.

Outreach

Conduct activities focused on increasing consumer visitation.

Collaborating/Networking

Build coalitions or collaborative partnerships designed to expand the

participation of individuals with significant disabilities in community

services and programs.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

2 years of experience working in the field of disability and/or B.A. in

disability related field of study such as psychology or sociology.

Team Player: Is aware and committed to accomplishing department and

agency goals. Is respectful and works co-operatively with others. Is

sensitive to the needs of other staff and consumers and behaves in a

manner to improve the overall functioning of the agency.

Communication: Fluency in Spanish. Effectively communicates with

consumers, community members, staff and management both in written and

oral form. Listens carefully and ask questions appropriately to

delineate issue(s) and empower consumer regarding options.

Problem Solving: The individual is able to define problems, collect and

interpret data, establish facts, draw conclusions, and initiate

resolutions. The individual understands the independent living

philosophy and caries it out in their work, maximizing consumer

participation. The individual is a role model advocate: works to

overcome obstacles, promotes a positive attitude while brainstorming

solutions and strategies. The individual initiates projects and works

with minimal supervision.

Time Management: Thinks strategically, prioritizes competing demands,

multi tasks when necessary and plans ahead. Completes work within

deadlines, completes consumer goals in a timely fashion including

follow-up to assure the goals undertaken are accomplished quickly.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Personal experience with a disability

Experience working with people with disabilities

Familiarity with ADA issues regarding access, employment, etc.

Knowledge of Independent Living Movement

Compensation: $30,000 annually, 35 hours per week, with generous

benefits package & retirement plan.

Contact: With the subject titled " Job Announcement " send resume

to eli@... <mailto:eli@...> or fax to 415-459-7047.