Olmstead ; OHS Independent Living Specialist; ILS

Dated posted 1/27/2026

The Center for Disability Rights is a Disability-led organization where a majority of the board members, management staff, and staff are themselves people with disabilities. This critical difference sets the organization apart from other organizations that were established to serve and support people with disabilities but are not governed, managed and staff by people with disabilities themselves.

Our workplace is welcoming to all. We strongly encourage qualified individuals with disabilities to apply. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment for all candidates.

Job Summary:

The Olmstead Housing Subsidy (OHS) Independent Living Specialist works with Disabled Individuals enrolled in OHS services to develop and implement an Individual Service Plan (ISP) that supports their success in the community.

Job Duties:

• Establish an Individual Service Plan with each consumer that identifies the consumer's valued outcomes and specific wellness, housing, financial, social, and other goals to ensure they remain stably housed and achieve greater independence. Ensure each ISP is updated every 6 months with a face-to-face and in-home visits.
• Provide information, Independent Living Skills Training, individual advocacy, and other services to each consumer to maintain their housing, increase their independence and achieve their identified goals.
• As appropriate, coordinate services with other providers, which may include a consumers' Discharge Planner, Care Manager, or Service Coordinator, to maintain the consumer's housing, increase their independence and achieve goals identified in their plan.
• Perform monthly contact with OHS consumers to ensure consumers have the needed services in place to maintain their housing, increase their independence and achieve their identified goals.
• As needed, assist the OHS Housing Specialist with the tasks needed to ensure that program consumers are stably housed, including assistance with addressing credit and background check concerns, transporting the consumer, helping the consumer look at housing units, meeting with the landlord, assisting at lease signings, moving, assisting with setting up and moving into the unit, and supporting the consumer in maintaining their housing.
• Address emergent needs that may impede the individual’s success in achieving the goals established by the individual in their ISP including their ability to remain stably housed.
• Assist in outreach efforts to secure referrals for the OHS Program and other CDR/RCIL services which includes developing and performing presentations to landlords and management companies, managed care organizations, hospitals, medical respites, and skilled nursing facilities.
• Document all service delivery and program activities in both the funder’s data collection system and CDR’s documentation system.
• Write blog posts and newsletter articles on program activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

An Associate degree with three to five years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience to successfully perform the essential duties of the position may be substituted. First-hand and lived experience with disabilities is valuable.

Skills and

Competencies:

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Good personal and written communication skills.
• Impeccable time management skills with a proven ability to be punctual and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to the mission and work of CDR.

Candidates with disabilities – particularly Disabled individuals from diverse backgrounds – are strongly encouraged to apply.

The position is office-based and normal business hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.00 per hour

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

Ability to Relocate:

• Rochester, NY 14608:
  Relocate before starting work (Required)

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