Independent Living & Residential Specialist 1 - Nisonger Center

Independent Living & Residential Specialist 1 - Nisonger Center

The Ohio State University Nisonger Center's Learning and Interpersonal Development Skills (LIDS) department seeks a student-centered, team-oriented candidate for the position of Independent Living and Residential Success and Enrichment Specialist. This in-person role is part of a vibrant team of student affairs, higher education, and social work professionals dedicated to supporting college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as other co-occurring conditions, as they transition from education to employment through the Transition Options in Postsecondary Settings (TOPS) program.

TOPS promotes student growth and success through a comprehensive range of services. The Independent Living and Residential Success and Enrichment Specialist provides individualized coaching to guide TOPS students through their transition to and through college life by supporting development of independent life skills and wellness strategies and encouraging engagement in campus and community activities. Key responsibilities include offering 1:1 structured skill building sessions, teaching adult life-skill readiness courses and workshops to foster problem-solving, self-advocacy and communication skills, coordinating and conducting transportation training, fostering peer connections, guiding students to engage in a variety of campus and community involvement opportunities, assessing and documenting goal progress and attainment.

All TOPS staff contribute to program and departmental growth by participating in student and family recruitment and orientation activities. Additional responsibilities include attending community recruitment events for all LIDS programs, supporting local, regional, and national professional development efforts, and completing interviews, assessments and documentation with prospective TOPS students and their families. This role also includes coordinating volunteers who support TOPS students related to social communication skills, connecting with campus and community service events, and student organizations.

Due to the nature of this position, evening and/or weekend availability is required for activities such as campus events, community engagement, professional development events, departmental presentations, and responding to email and text communication.

Staff are expected to adhere to HIPAA, FERPA, and OSU/OSUMC requirements while upholding the program's values of interdependency, supported decision-making, and self-determination. Candidates may also have opportunities to engage in grant writing and funding initiatives, conference presentations, research efforts, and program budget, based on their interests. Education, lived experience, and/or experience in working with teens and/or young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other co-occurring conditions is desired.

Bachelor's degree in student affairs, social work, or other related social science field is preferred. It is preferred that the candidate also has experience in facilitating training for and overseeing groups of students. Strong oral, written, and interpersonal skills required.

Organizational Expectations
· Provide administrative facilitation of program's documentation systems
· Participate in student and family recruitment and orientation activities
· Attend community recruitment events for all LIDS programs
· Support local, regional, and national professional development efforts
· Complete interviews, assessments and documentation with prospective TOPS students and their families
· Coordinate, train, and supervise volunteers who support TOPS students.
· Evening and/or weekend availability is required for activities such as housing and residential life activities, community engagement, professional development events, departmental presentations, and responding to email and text communications
· Adhere to HIPAA, FERPA, and OSU/OSUMC requirements
· Uphold the program's values of interdependency, supported decision-making, and self-determination
· Other opportunities include engage in grant writing and funding…