Independent Living & Residential Specialist 1 - Nisonger Center

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Job Title:

Independent Living & Residential Specialist 1 - Nisonger Center

Department:

Health Sciences | 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 skillbuilding 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 initiatives; participate in conference presentations and/or research efforts; contribute to Independent Living and Residential Success area budget process Patient Population Served Late adolescents and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities; participants will have additional cooccurring conditions including physical limitations and behavioral health conditions.

Minimum Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Student Affairs, Social Work or other Social Sciences Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Additional Education Desired (optional): Additional education is encouraged; continuing education is encouraged

Experience, Training and other Qualifications Required or Desired:

Strong oral, written, and interpersonal skills required. Experience working with adolescents and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other co-occurring conditions desired. It is preferred that the candidate has experience in facilitating training for and overseeing groups of 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

Additional Information (Working Environment, Physical Activity, etc. - OPTIONAL)

Roles within the TOPS programs are in-person, focused on working with young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities individually or in groups. Classes, meetings, and activities can occur in a variety of locations on campus and in the surrounding communities.

Function: Academic Administration

Sub-function: Academic Success and Enrichment

Career Level: S1

Additional Information:

50% -

Students :

• Primary in-person direct service, skill-building, and individualized support for students.

Core & Student-Focused Responsibilities

• Provide individualized support and services to TOPS students
• Guide students with intellectual disabilities in transitioning to college life
• Support development of independent living, executive function, and problem-solving skills
• Monitor student progress of goal setting and attainment using person-centered planning Independent Living & Support
• Develop communication and daily living skills to support roommate engagement
• Assess individual independent living needs and provide instruction, support, and skill development for independence and daily functioning
• Document student progress in independent living and community engagement Advise students in understanding and locating housing (on/off campus)

Training & Skill Development (direct student impact)

• Plan and conduct travel training (campus and community)
• Collaborate with TOPS team on development of daily living, self-management, planning and organization, and self-advocacy skills
• Other tasks and responsibilities as requested to support student and/or program needs

20% -

Campus Connections:

• Facilitating student integration and engagement within the campus environment.

Social & Campus Engagement:

• Coordinate and plan social events with students
• Help students engage socially and build peer relationships
• Assist students in joining clubs, organizations, and campus activities
• Maintain TOPS program calendar

Instruction & Campus Learning Opportunities:

• Teach TOPS Student Learning Community class
• Plan and deliver life skills seminars and workshops for TOPS students (e.g., drug/alcohol awareness, physical fitness, stress management) Collaboration with Campus Partners
• Work with campus partners to support student experience
• Connect students with a range of campus resources

Administrative / Operations:

• Administrative work is essential for program accountability and student tracking.

Program Management & Evaluation

• Plan, support implementation, and evaluate student transition, goals, and outcomes
• Help to develop and implement program plans and objectives
• Evaluate effectiveness of classes and workshops and collaborate on improvements
• Collaborate with TOPS supervisors on appropriate actions to ensure a high degree of quality for the program, in student engagement, and service delivery

Volunteer & Program Coordination

• Coordinate volunteers for social and community service events
• Oversee volunteer involvement in activities Documentation, Reporting & Communication
• Maintain strong written documentation and reporting
• Provide administrative functions for program’s documentation system
• Provide updates on student progress and program outcomes Additional

Operational Responsibilities

• Support for recruitment and special events (evenings/weekends)
• Answer emails and periodically monitor program phone (evenings/weekends) Perform other programmatic and administrative duties as directed
• Participation in grant writing, research, presentations (optional)
• Program budget activities (optional)

10% -

Community Connections

• Building bridges beyond campus to support independence and long-term outcomes.
• Collaborate with families and adult service providers
• Work closely with external service providers such as property managers, law enforcement, transportation organizations
• Introduce students to community resources
• Conduct travel training within the broader community

Location:

McCampbell Hall (0303)

Position Type:

Regular

Scheduled Hours:

40

Shift:

First Shift

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The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.