Life Skills Educator

Make a difference in the lives of young people Join us at Lawrence Hall, where we believe that with a strong team of support around them, all young people have bright futures. We need YOU on our team Great benefits including a minimum of 4 weeks paid time off, generous 401k employer match, loan forgiveness, free certification training and continuing education units offered internally....social workers, therapists and psychologists- earn all of your recertification/licensure credits free internally or attend external trainings with agency reimbursement. The Life Skills Educator reports directly to the Site Coordinator. This position provides intensive individual and group like skills training to 8-16 children aged 17 to 20 years old at the assigned site. The position requires the ability to teach basic independent living skills to clients in order for the clients to be successful after discharge from the program. The position requires documentation of client behaviors and actions using the computer. The position requires the flexibility to adjust hours in order to provide coverage at the site in the absence of other staff as needed. Weekend and holiday hours included.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Home Management - instructs clients in basic household management - how to clean, proper nutrition, shopping, meal planning and cooking.
• Self Care - Help clients improve self-image by teaching appropriate skills related to grooming, dress habits and social skills.
• Time Management - Help clients organize and develop a routine - facilitate completion of daily responsibilities.
• Participate in staffing with team and clients for assessment, treatment planning and review.
• Transport clients in agency vehicle to various community resources, schools, etc.
• Participates in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned.
• Ability to work effectively with clients and staff in a culturally diverse environment
• Other duties as assigned that support clients, teams and LHYS services.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires the ability to perform keen observation of clients by seeing, hearing an verbally communicating with coworkers and clients.
• Must be able to walk up and down between two to four flights of stairs without assistance several times during the course of an 8-hour shift.
• Lifting maximum of 50lbs.
• Assist in client moves.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Client Behavior Management
• Awareness and understanding of a client's reactions
• Understands client's mental health needs
• Setting boundaries and using fair, consistent, and clear expectations
• Sensitivity, awareness, and understanding of client's needs, problems, interests, skills, deficiencies, and idiosyncrasies
• Observe, understand, and use group dynamics
• Handle disruptive behaviors in a calm, professional manner
• Utilize TCI de-escalation techniques when client becomes escalated
• Follow the site schedule
• Imagine how an action will affect the future of a situation
• Recognize and react to various situations quickly and respond accordingly
• Help clients become aware of their behavior
• Client Relationship Building
• Give full attention and understanding to points being made by clients; asks questions when appropriate and does not interrupt
• Creates engaging activities for the clients to participate in and develop relationships
• Serve as an effective role model
• Use trustworthy, supportive, and child focused techniques
• Teach and model the adult role such as honesty, individual initiative, integrity, responsibility, respect for others, respect for property, and respect of authority
• Teach and model courtesy, manners, public behavior, meeting people, and reliability in school an job situations
• Respect and work effectively with individuals of diverse culture, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds
• Site Activities
• Facilitates psycho-educations groups
• Facilitates life skills groups
• Develops team building activities
• Documents all services
• Facilitates community support services
• Communication and Documentation
• Records daily documentation of clients behaviors and actions
• Talk to clients and co-workers to convey information so that others understand
• Write clearly and succinctly to ensure the appropriate message is conveyed
• Use appropriate grammar, tone, sentence structure, etc.
• Communicate pertinent information, such as crisis and safety issues
• Consistently sign in and out of communication and vehicle logs
• Follow up when information is unclear; ask questions
• Complete all required paperwork accurately and on time
• Effectively utilize agency provided computer to record client documentation
• Checks email several times during shift.

Professional Development

• Strive to learn new skills and improve current skill set through participation in in-service training and seminars
• Assess performance of self to identify areas of improvement or corrective action
• Recognize own strengths and weaknesses to identify individual development and career plans
• Utilize supervision as an opportunity for growth and development; implement feedback and direction from supervisor
• Willingly accept new challenges and adapt to change
• Proactively seek out additional tasks and responsibilities to complete
• Team Work
• Read client and staff logs and checks schedule prior to starting shift
• Communicate verbally with staff about previous shift
• Support and assist team members in crisis situations and participate in TCI
• Attend scheduled team meetings
• Take initiative to suggest program improvements
• Leaves unit in ratio
• Professionalism and Work Conduct
• Follow policies and procedures to maintain order, including agency's Code of Ethics and Staff Behavior Guidelines
• Effectively manage own time to get work documentation and job responsibilities completed
• Take responsibility for one's actions, job performance, team dynamics, and client interactions
• Report to work, meetings and activities prepared and on time
• Accept responsibility for agency property and equipment, such as vehicle use

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Individuals most likely to succeed in this position generally possess the following personal characteristics:
• Attention to detail
• Commitment to complete tasks correctly and on time
• Strong sense of duty
• Act in accordance with rules, laws, policies, and procedures and expects others to do the same
• Commitment to obligations
• Conscientious
• Somewhat faster than average pace
• Steady persistence in a course of action
• Task-oriented
• High standards of quality and accuracy
• Strong follow-through
• Lead by example
• QUALIFICATIONS:
• Must be at least 25 years of age
• Bachelor degree preferred or High School diploma or equivalent and 5 years related experience
• At least one (1) year experience working with older youth in a child welfare setting
• Knowledge of word processing and basic computer functions; intermediate to advanced level of computer skills required
• Maintenance of a valid Illinois driver's license and DCFS approval status with no suspensions in effect in the previous three (3) years prior to hire
• No history of child abuse or neglect
• Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Exposure to resident behavior problems that may include physical acting out and requires safe physical management skills
• Exposure to residents with complex mental health issues and/or disorders
• Exposure to youths with various states of cleanliness and hygiene
• There are overnight positions, evening positions and day position at various locations.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V