Independent Living Community Navigator - Mobile Unit

Agency Description

Agency

Description:

DAWN Center for Independent Living, a grassroots disability rights agency, seeks a highly motivated, passionate, and outgoing self-starter to provide case facilitation and advocacy services to individuals with disabilities residing in Northern NJ. The IL Community Navigator will work both in DAWN’s physical offices as well as the mobile office.

The Independent Living Community Navigator provides information and referral, advocacy services, supportive consultation and independent living skills training to individuals with disabilities residing in Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties. He/she works closely with our consumers to help them create their own Independent Living Plan, where they set personal goals and determine action steps to achieve them. The IL Community Navigator also links the consumer to appropriate services and supports in their community.

The IL Community Navigator will work both in DAWN’s physical offices as well as the mobile office. Working in the mobile office will require ability to drive a vehicle from one of DAWN’s physical offices to locations in the community within DAWN’s service area.

The IL Community Navigator is responsible for the following:

• Oversee and assist persons with disabilities, families, and interested parties in the general public with identifying and accessing supports and services through specific programs/providers.
• Using the company vehicle, travel to various locations within DAWN’s service area and set up a Mobile Office multiple times a week for community access.
• Assist with creating a recurring schedule of field locations for the Mobile Office to visit.
• Maintain working knowledge of benefits and services available to people with disabilities, in particular in the area of education, housing, benefits and employment and how eligibility may be affected by earned income.
• Create and implement Independent Living Plans and provide ongoing case management and monitoring.
• Maintain detailed and accurate service records of all consumer contacts, as per contractual obligations.
• Collaborate with various community partners to ensure familiarity and in-depth understanding of service options in the Morris, Warren and Sussex county area.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with federal, state and private agencies/nonprofit organizations that serve persons with disabilities to link consumers as appropriate.
• Facilitate workshops and public forums relating to services provided and participate in outreach efforts and special events.
• Collaborate with agency staff in other program areas to ensure seamless support for consumers receiving other services in addition to Independent Living.
• Facilitate distribution of consumer satisfaction surveys.
• Assist with advocacy efforts pertinent to consumer base.
• Attend all internal staff meetings, trainings, and in-services as required.

• Provide statistical and other input for the development of annual and long-range plans.
• Participate in organizational strategic planning committees and/or work groups.
• Performance of other non-essential assigned duties and tasks.

• Knowledge of and support for the Independent Living Philosophy, which states that people with disabilities should have the same civil rights, choices and opportunities as do people without disabilities.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to successfully relate to and communicate with people with disabilities, their families, other organizations, agencies, volunteers, and consumers.
• Knowledge of programs and services, benefits, entitlements and supports available to persons with disabilities, as needed.
• Strong team player willing to take direction, initiate business activities and work with management staff and peers.
• Self-starter able to work with minimal supervision/direction.
• Professional demeanor and presentation.
• Have strong and effective spoken and written communication skills.
• Creative thinker using sound judgment in workload coordination and in technical matters.
• Ability to organize work effectively and establish priorities.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision…