Life Skills Educator - Veterans

Volunteers of America - Dakotas; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 18,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Volunteers of America - Dakotas seeks a Life Skills Educator for our veterans shelter in Sioux Falls. The role emphasizes teaching and guiding residents to develop social and life skills while fostering a home-like environment.

Responsibilities include modeling positive behavior, helping residents resolve conflicts, assisting with meals and daily activities, and supporting participants in reaching their goals. A deep commitment to serving veterans is essential.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Effective communication and management skills required.
• Valid driver’s license if transportation services are provided.
• At least 21 years of age; preference for qualified veterans.

Responsibilities

• Provide supervision to ensure safety and well-being of all residents.
• Guide group dynamics and provide support and guidance as appropriate.
• Assist participants during meals ensuring nutritional needs are met.
• Provide role modeling to encourage healthy lifestyles and positive behaviors.
• Support participants in achieving their goals and facilitating privileges and requests.

Skills

Effective communication

Management skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Details

Description

Department: Veteran Services

Job Status: Relief

Reports To: Berakhah House Residential Supervisor

Position Supervises: N/A

Work Schedule: Relief positions require flexible scheduling to ensure 24-hour coverage of residential program; scheduling may include weekends, holidays, overnights, and late evening shifts

Position Summary

The Life Skills Educator at our shelter for homeless veterans teach and guide veterans by helping develop participants' social and life skills and facilitating a home-like setting.

The responsibilities include offering opportunities for preventive and corrective teaching, establishing boundaries to encourage positive behaviors and deter problem behaviors, and guiding participants in developing self-control. They will help veterans resolve conflicts, plan ahead, and make decisions.

Additionally, the Life Skills Educator models positive behaviors, helps prepare meals, and organizes activities.

A deep heart for serving veterans and a genuine desire to see them succeed is vital, as this position is dedicated to creating a positive and supportive environment. Our ministry, led by trained and professional staff, is committed to humble service, stewardship, and quality, ensuring each person served is met with empathy, dignity, and care.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions Statement(s)

Participant Services

• Provide supervision to ensure safety and well-being of all residents.
• Guide group dynamics, providing support and guidance as appropriate
• Participate in activities, while assisting them in achieving privileges and approving of privileges and requests, as appropriate.
• Assist participant during meal preparation ensuring proper nutritional needs are met.
• Provide effective role modeling for residents to encourage healthy lifestyles.
• Provide support and guidance to participants in achieving their goals.

Support Service

• Maintain consistent communication regarding the process of each resident with other residential staff.
• Document services, activities and necessary program information.

Responsible For Other Duties As Assigned.

POSITIONS QUALIFICATIONS SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education: High School Diploma or GED

Experience: Military service or experience is preferred.

Skills: Effective communication and management skills are necessary

Certifications & Licenses: Valid driver’s license required if providing transportation services

Other Requirements: All candidates must be at least 21 years of age; preference will be given to qualified veterans

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to Stand, Walk, sit, manually manipulate, reach outward and above shoulders, speak, climb, crawl, squat, kneel, and bend on a daily basis
• Capability to Lift, carry, push or pull up to 25 lbs on a daily basis