Bilingual Spanish-Speaking Life & Community Advocator

The Arc of Prince George's County; Upper Marlboro (MD); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

403(b) retirement plan with employer match

Tuition reimbursement

Generous paid time-off

Paid training

Company paid life insurance

Job summary

A community support organization is seeking Life & Community Advocators in Upper Marlboro, MD, to assist individuals with disabilities. This role involves advocating for personal choice, helping with daily living skills, and ensuring community integration. Candidates should have a high school diploma and experience working with individuals in need of personal assistance. The position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including health insurance and a retirement plan.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 1-year experience with persons with disabilities is preferred.
• Must be 18 years or older and willing to assist adults needing hands-on help.

Responsibilities

• Assist individuals in personal care and daily living activities.
• Implement Person-Centered Plans to support community involvement.
• Ensure health and safety compliance during activities.
• Assist with community living skills, money management, and shopping.
• Respond to medical concerns and emergencies following protocols.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team on Individual Plans and Behavior Plans.
• Attend trainings and contribute to team discussions.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Dependability

Experience with disabilities

Customer service

Problem-solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Electronic Health Record System

Job description

About the organization

The Arc Prince George’s County serves more than 600 individuals with disabilities through a variety of programs, services and supports. Our primary areas of support are community living, family and personal supports, employment services, and day programs - all with an emphasis on person-centered community involvement and inclusion. To learn more about us, please visit www.thearcofpgc.org.

Position Summary

The Arc Prince George's County is seeking Life & Community Advocators that perform a wide variety of person centered support and services, with a strong emphasis on personal choice to individuals with developmental disabilities. These supports and services involve advocating for, encouraging, guiding and teaching individuals in expressing personal choice, developing daily living skills and habits, taking care of their personal needs, assuring community integration, ensuring for their health and safety, and maintaining a healthy, safe home environment. The supports and services performed depend upon the specific abilities of the individuals being served and the nature of the setting where the activities are performed.

Working Days & Hours

• Scheduled Work Days: Monday - Friday.
• Work Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (40 hrs/wk).
• Location(s): Laurel, Lanham, Largo.

Key responsibilities

• Preparation for Change: Plan and prepare for changes by working closely with individuals to identify and address their needs and preferences.
• Community Integration: Assist individuals in identifying, planning, and engaging in appropriate community experiences based on their interests and needs.
• Person-Centered Plan Implementation: Implement and monitor Person-Centered Plans (PCPs) to support individuals’ community involvement and goal achievement.
• Direct Support & Safety: Provide ongoing supervision and assistance with activities of daily living, ensuring individuals' safety and well-being both in the facility and the community.
• Community Living Skills: Teach and support individuals in developing essential community living skills, including money management, shopping, and appropriate social interactions.
• Health & Personal Care: Assist individuals with personal hygiene, grooming, and health care needs, and respond to medical concerns promptly and appropriately.
• Emergency Response: Respond to medical emergencies, administer first aid as needed, and follow emergency protocols, including evacuation plans.
• Documentation: Complete accurate and timely documentation in the Electronic Health Record System (EHR), including activity participation, behavior programs, and health updates.
• Team Collaboration & Communication: Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, and team discussions, promoting effective teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
• Behavioral Support: Assist in managing challenging behaviors in compliance with individual Behavior Plans (BPs) and contribute behavioral data for review.
• Health & Safety Compliance: Report any health, safety, or environmental hazards and ensure the safe operation of equipment and vehicles.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that all required reports, including regulatory and incident reports, are completed within the proper time frames and in accordance with policies.
• Program Planning & Development: Collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Team to develop and review Individual Plans (IPs) and Behavior Plans (BPs), ensuring person-centered and inclusive goals.
• Training & Development: Attend and participate in all required trainings, in-services, and workshops, and assist in training staff on individual plans and behavioral strategies.

You are the Ideal Candidate If you have

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. (required).
• At least 1-year experience in working with persons with disabilities/behaviors is preferred.
• Must be 18 years of age and have desire to work with adults who require a great deal of hands-on assistance, personal care and supervision. (required).
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (outlook, word, and excel).
• Must have a good driving record, reliable vehicle, and current Maryland driver’s license, with no more than 2 points. (required).
• Must have strong communication skills.
• Must be dependable and reliable.
• Must have basic computer skills and be able to use all required software.
• Must have ability to problem-solve and assist in decision-making, including during emergencies.
• Must maintain current status regarding assigned core competencies and other required certification acquisition within established schedule and timelines.
• Must meet the criteria to be an approved driver for the Arc of Prince George's County and have reliable transportation.
• Must have the ability to work productively with individuals and other team members to develop relationships.
• Must possess excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills and good customer service skills.

Please note: Only candidates who meet the minimum required qualifications will be considered for this position.

Total Rewards

The Arc offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, to include medical, dental and vision plans. A 403(b) retirement plan w/ employer match, tuition reimbursement, benevolence program, paid holidays, generous paid time-off, paid training, company paid life insurance, and much more!