STEADFAST HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
POSITION DESCRIPTION
LIFE SKILLS SPECIALIST
I. LIFE SKILLS SPECIALIST. The Life Skills Specialist will be a full-time person hired to provide life skills training to resident adults diagnosed with a Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) and general maintenance of a residential property.
No supervisory responsibility.
A. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES PERTAINING TO SERVICES PROVIDED TO RESIDENTS.
1. The group home will be maintained as a drug and alcohol free environment.
2. Ensure the provision of individual support and education training including but not limited to cooking, chores, shopping, money management, socialization, personal skills hygiene, problem solving, leisure and social activities, 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
3. Maintain a daily log of residentsÕ activities and incident reports.
4. Encourage and support residents compliance with house rules, regulations and treatment plans.
4. Be aware of all residents whereabouts.
5. Assist residents in maintaining a positive, healthy, cooperative environment.
6. Protocol for emergencies:
a. Criminal acts, violence, fighting, structural damage, fire, serious injury, illness, etc.
i. Contact the designated Adult Mental Health Division (AMHD) Case Manager.
ii. AMHD Case Manager is to determine if staff, crisis team, etc are to be contacted.
iii. If unable to contact the AMHD Case Manager or crisis team in an emergency, contact should then be made with the local 911 number.
iv. Administer first aid or CPR if needed.
v. Make entry into logbook.
vi. Submit a detailed incident report within 24 hours of incident/emergency to AMHD Case Manager and SHDC. Keep original entry in logbook.
7. Document all significant resident difficulties/successes.
a. Resident does not report in or does not come back to the house as required in the house rules.
b. Resident is not compliant, is withdrawn, or is not complying with AMHD Individual Recover Plan.
c. Resident participates/non participating in organized activities, meals, and entertainment.
d. Resident is not abiding by the house rules, participating in the house chores, not taking daily medication, etc.
8. Meet weekly and more often if required with the AMHD Case Manager and SHDC staff to review service plan, program management concerns or other matters relating to the physical aspect of the home.
9. Assist the AMHD Case Manager in monitoring the residents to ensure that the resident is complying to the service plan, including the taking of medication, leaving the house in a timely manner to ensure adequate time to get to appointments, school, program, work, etc.
10. Transporting clients, when necessary, to/from scheduled grocery shopping, group recreational activities, and Individual Recovery Plan meetings (for properties with an assigned vehicle).
11. Collect from the residents; security deposit, rent and any other monies due SHDC. Upon receipt of the funds a receipt will be given to the resident. Only cashier and money orders will be accepted. No cash.
12. Be on the premises of the property when the residents are on the property, especially when the residents are cooking and sleeping.
13. Ensure the safety and well being of the residents and the employees of SHDC.
14. Allow for the use and quiet enjoyment of the property by the resident and employees of SHDC.
B. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES PERTAINING TO PROPERTY
1. Responsible for the general maintenance of the house and yard. Makes minor repairs and reports major repair problems to Steadfast Housing Development Corporation (SHDC).
2. Responsible for the purchase of supplies and equipments for the home. Abide by SHDC's purchasing policy regarding requisitions and invoices. Assist in the general operations of the home.
3. Ensure that all appliances and required safety equipment, such as; smoke detectors, alarms, fire extinguishers are in working order, that the house and yard are free from dangerous materials. Dangerous chemicals such as; weed killer, poisons and insecticides, etc. are properly secured.
4. Develop, maintain and post in a conspicuous place in the home the following:
a. Fire evacuation route.
b. Emergency preparedness plan, i.e. Hurricanes, floods, etc. All emergency plans must be submitted and approved by SHDC.
c. List of emergency telephone and property related telephone numbers, i.e., SHDC, Community Mental Health Center (CMHC), case manager, crisis team, ACCESS Line, emergency repair vendors, etc.
5. Develop and/or maintain and update inventory of all SHDC properties with a description of their value and condition on an annual basis.
6. Conduct daily property inspection. Log and transmit any concerns or recommendations to SHDC.
7. Submit a monthly property inspection report to SHDC.
8. Protocol for property related emergencies:
a. Assess situation to determine emergency.
b. Contact SHDC.
c. If unable to contact SHDC and situation is deemed an emergency, then use best judgment in securing appropriate vendor.
d. Make entry into logbook.
e. Submit to SHDC a detailed incident report within 24 hours or next business day of emergency. Keep original entry in log book.
9. Develop and maintain a good relationship with neighbors and the community
10. If applicable, be responsible for the periodic maintenance (oil, filter, lubrication, tune-up) and care service of the van assigned to the home, including; washing, waxing and cleaning. A mileage and service log book must be maintained. Submit mileage log on a monthly basis to SHDC.
II. EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Life Skills Specialists are required to:
1. Attend training programs and workshops as deemed necessary by SHDC.
2. Communicate in English both verbally and in writing.
3. Own a vehicle. Maintain a valid driver's license, vehicle insurance, and vehicle registration. Must provide a driver's abstract.
4. Submit to a criminal background check.
5. Submit a drug testing if deemed necessary.
6. Have and maintain current first aid and CPR certificates.
7. Provide a current TB clearance certificate.
8. Be able to be covered under SHDC's fidelity bond.
SHDC manages and operates various homes and programs under separate Federal and State contracts. Homes and programs may dictate differing levels of education and experience requirements. Each home is evaluated on program and tenant requirements that may change from time to time. Employees will be advised at time of interview the educational and experience requirements. Minimum educational requirement for all homes and programs is a high school diploma or equivalent.
A. Compassion to the needs of individuals served.
B. An attitude that supports the inclusion of people with disabilities in the community.
C. Successful personal, work or volunteer experiences related to the residential, business, and industrial settings in which placements will occur.
SHDC Group Homes are located in residential settings and are non air-conditioned facilities. Work activities include meeting and performing duties in indoor/outdoor weather conditions.
The group home operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week. LSS are scheduled three days per week. The morning shift is 6:00am – 7:00pm and the evening shift is 6:00pm – 7:00am, with a one (1) hour meal break.
A. Up to several hours occasionally traveling to various locations by automobile.
B. Climbing up and down stairs of office buildings and other places of business.
C. Maintaining reliable work attendance.
D. Working under pressure, or deadlines, using judgment and discretion.
E. Working under minimal supervision.
F. Relating to people in a friendly and professional manner, performing tasks with consideration to each individualÕs abilities and needs.
G. Willingness to work as part of a team; assisting co-workers in other areas as needed or required.
H. Working under established policies and procedures.
I. Sitting and/or standing for moderately long periods of time.
J. Walking at least two (2) miles without stopping.
K. May require lifting and carrying up to twenty pounds at a time for short distances.
L. Must understand and carry out oral and written instructions; and
M. Requires oral and written communication with supervisor, co-workers, and others.