Independent Living Skills Educator - Axis180

Volunteers of America, Dakotas; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Volunteers of America, Dakotas is seeking Independent Living Skills Educators for the Axis180 program to support youth aged 16-21 facing homelessness.

The role covers afternoons, evenings, and weekends, focusing on safety, mentoring, and structured activities to build interpersonal and independent living skills.

You will document observations, collaborate with staff, and contribute to a caring, empowering environment aligned with VOA’s mission to help people live healthier, fulfilling lives.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.
• No experience needed; training will be provided.
• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Must be at least 21 years of age.

Responsibilities

• Provide youth with guidance in achieving their Transition Plan goals.
• Facilitate life skills education for youth in individual and group settings.
• Oversee general supervision of youth.
• Provide occasional transportation for youth as necessary.
• Turnover empty apartments when youth discharge and stock them with home necessities before new youth intake.
• Maintain consistent communication regarding the participation of each youth with other staff.
• Ensure critical data is reported and documented.
• Attend program staff meetings and trainings required.
• Provide emotional support and model behaviors that will help lead youth to learn to positive life skills.
• Carry out other duties as assigned to support program operations and goals.

Skills

Excellent communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Department: Axis180

Job Status: Full Time, Part Time, Relief

Reports To: Youth Services Supervisor

Position Supervises: None

Work Schedule: Varies; day, evening, late night, rotating holidays

Amount of Travel Required: Occasional local travel

POSITION SUMMARY

Independent Living Skills Educators at our Axis180 program play a vital role in supporting youth aged 16-21 who are facing homelessness by fostering a safe and nurturing environment during nonregular business hours, including afternoons, evenings, and weekends. This role oversees the safety and supervision of residents, ensuring meaningful engagement through mentoring, guidance, and structured activities designed to enhance interpersonal and independence skills. By providing group activities during afternoons or evenings and on weekends, residents are given the opportunity for personal growth and community building. Independent Living Skills Educators document and communicate observations and interactions, contributing to a team approach that prioritizes the success and well-being of each resident. Through supportive and proactive engagement, they help prepare youth for independent living while collaborating with staff to maintain a cohesive and effective program.

This role is vital in creating a positive and empowering atmosphere for both staff and participants, aligned with the mission of Volunteers of America, Dakotas to guide people to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Participant Services

• A. Provide youth with guidance in achieving their Transition Plan goals.
• B. Facilitate life skills education for youth in individual and group settings.
• C. Oversee general supervision of youth.
• D. Provide occasional transportation for youth as necessary.
• E. Turnover empty apartments when youth discharge and stock them with home necessities before new youth intake.
• F. Maintain consistent communication regarding the participation of each youth with other staff.
• G. Ensure critical data is reported and documented.
• H. Attend program staff meetings and trainings required.
• I. Provide emotional support and model behaviors that will help lead youth to learn to positive life skills.

Responsible to carry out other duties as assigned to support program operations and goals.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.

Experience: No experience needed, training will be provided.

Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Other Requirements: Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Must be at least 21 years of age.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• A. Ability to stand, walk, sit, manually manipulate, reach outward and above shoulders, speak, climb, crawl, squat, kneel, and bend on a daily basis.
• B. Capability to lift, carry, push or pull up to 50 lbs on an occasional basis.