Community Support Mentor

Kids for the Future; Wauwatosa (WI); On-site; USD 22,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthy snacks and beverages

Ongoing training opportunities

Employee referral program ($50)

Relaxed dress code

Annual offsite activities

Mission-driven culture

Job summary

Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin is seeking a Community Support Services Mentor to work one-on-one with individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities in homes and the community. This part-time role (1–19 hours weekly) offers meaningful, person-centered support and opportunities to help participants achieve greater independence.

Responsibilities include goal setting with families, modeling social skills, and creating life-skill accommodations, with daytime and late afternoon/evening

Qualifications

• Interpersonal skills for working with children and adults.
• Ability to cope calmly with emergencies or challenging behavior.
• Willingness to flexible schedule and work in homes and communities.

Responsibilities

• Meet with families to determine individual goals.
• Model appropriate social skills and guide real-life experiences.
• Create accommodations for life skills and prepare checklists.
• Provide family education and advocate for participants as needed.
• Transport participants as required and participate in meetings.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Flexibility

Emergency management

Team player

Education

High school diploma

2+ years experience

Associate/Bachelor's preferred

Job description

• Base Pay $16.00 - $19.00 / Hour
• Employee Type PT Non-Exempt

Position Title: Community Support Services Mentor Location: Dane County Reports To: Program Manager, South Central Status: Part Time (1-19 hours weekly)

Pay: $16 - $19/hour, depending on experience

FLSA Status: Not applicable

Are you looking for a position that brings purpose to your life? Would you like to wake up every day knowing that you are making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities? Are you ready to join a team that cares deeply for its staff and has an awesome culture? If this sounds like you, read on for an exciting opportunity to join us at the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin!

Summary:

The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin is a statewide, volunteer-driven non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and related disabilities and their families through awareness, education, information, programs, services, and exchanging ideas and experiences.

DSAW provides programs and services throughout the lifespan (Parents' First Call for new and expectant parents, children's services, adult services, employment services, and aging services), as well as educational opportunities and events.

We have an immediate opening for a Community Support Mentor to work one-on-one with individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities in their homes and the community. The Community Support Mentor provides individualized, person-centered support and works towards goals that focus on helping the participant become as independent as possible. For example, a Community Support Mentor might work with a participant on making a healthy snack, learning to count money, and safe internet use. This particular position will spend their time working one-on-one or in small groups with both children and adults. Daytime and late afternoon/early evening hours are needed.

As a face of the organization, successful candidates will be highly positive, energetic, and have a passion for helping individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities to achieve extraordinary lives.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Meet with the Manager and the family to determine individual goals

Consistently model appropriate social skills

Support participants by practicing, modeling, and guiding them through real-life experiences

Research and have the ability to create necessary accommodations for life skills, including: personal hygiene, meal planning and prep, home upkeep, money management, and technology

Create modifications such as visual schedules or checklists

Maintain and model positive professional working relationships with participants, guardians, employers, and other significant persons in their lives

Provide family education to participants' family members and other natural supports

Advocate for participants as needed and teach advocacy skills

May need to transport participants within their vehicle

Attend required meetings and in-service training sessions

Monitor participants' goals and complete progress notes as needed

Assist with personal care as needed. (DSAW staff occasionally provide light assistance in the bathroom or at mealtimes.)

Other duties as assigned, which may include job coaching or Community Day Programs Assistant.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Interpersonal

Must be a sensitive and mature individual who can relate well to both children and adults

Demonstrates warmth, insight, and respect for people with disabilities

Willingness to accept flexibility with their schedule

Able and knowledgeable to cope with emergencies or behavioral situations in a calm and effective manner

Able and willing to be a team player and to work cooperatively with their supervisor

Able to communicate effectively with clients and their families

Education/Experience

The minimum education level for this job is a high school diploma or equivalent, with at least two years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities in a classroom, a place of employment, a day care, a medical, or a residential setting preferred

Minimum age is 18

An associate's degree or bachelor's degree in a related field is preferred

Applicant must have a valid driver's license and an insured vehicle

Applicants must pass a background check that meets the State of Wisconsin requirements

Physical and Environmental Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the Community Support Mentor will be required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear clearly. The noise level in the work environment varies from low to high. The job may require the ability to walk, climb stairs, kneel, stoop, and may require the employee to lift and/or move items weighing up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. The job may require extended periods of sitting or standing.

Summary

Benefits include the following:

Access to healthy snacks, bottled water, coffee, and tea at the DSAW office

Ongoing training opportunities sponsored by DSAW

Employee referral program (employee will receive $50 if their referral is hired)

Relaxed dress code at the discretion of your supervisor

Annual offsite staff team-building activities

An amazing mission and culture!

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.