Activity Specialist - Lima

Must mai ntain a valid driver's license and a driving record acceptable to Goodwill's liability insurance provider. Must maintain the ability to pass a criminal background check and random drug screens. Must have High School Diploma or GED. Summary The Activity Specialist works with a team to support adults with developmental disabilities in making a positive difference in their lives by: Assisting with daily living skills Teaching skills and modeling behavior to improve independence and responsible behavior Implementing activities that are functional, person centered, community inclusive and age appropriate Actively working with a diverse population of individuals with varying levels of skills and needs Assuring individuals receiving services are the focus of each day’s activities Essential Duties & Responsibilities Facilitate individualized, purposeful and diverse activities based upon participant interests, strengths, needs, and choices as described in the Individual Service Plan. Incorporate various teaching strategies utilizing available curriculum and encompassing all areas of life domains, including potential employment opportunities. Provide individual instruction and skill development in the areas of personal care, making meaningful choices about daily activities, and community inclusion opportunities. Develop and maintain on-going communication with Supervisor as needed regarding participants' services, interests and progress. Promote positive relationships between Goodwill/Easter Seals Adult Day Programs and Services and community agencies and resources that relate to the program. Intervene therapeutically during crisis situations as needed. Assist with personal care including transferring persons as needed. Assist in transportation, bathroom and lunch transitions, as needed. Provide direct training of persons served utilizing skills such as gentle teaching methods. Drive agency van to pick up and return program participants. Safely operate wheelchair lift on agency van. Assist new participants in adjusting to Goodwill/Easter Seals Adult Day Programs and Services, along with assessing their abilities and choice for services. May be required to provide and/or arrange transportation as needed, i.e., utilize own vehicle, local transit. Maintain and update required program documentation. Participate as a member of the ISP team as required and prepare/complete assigned paperwork timely. Attend staff meetings, in-services and other meetings as assigned. Follow petty cash procedures as required. Maintain a clean and safe environment; assist in general cleaning of activity/program areas (e.g.: sanitizing tables, taking out trash, cleaning utensils and other duties as needed). Hours may need to be flexible based on the program requirements. Other duties as assigned. Comply with all Agency policies, procedures and safety standards throughout work areas and maintain same to meet CARF, Department of Labor and other regulatory standards. Supervisory Responsibilities None Education Requirements High School or General Education Degree (GED). Experience Requirements One year experience in Human Services field preferred. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must maintain the ability to pass a criminal background check and random drug screens. Skills & Abilities Use of discretion and independent judgment in oversight responsibilities and the delivery of services required. Ability to provide therapeutic interventions during crisis situations and to effectively communicate with both verbal and non-verbal individuals. Ability to encourage and enhance involvement with guardians, families, significant others, community and other service providers. Ability to communicate effectively. LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, general business instructions, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to speak effectively with participants, caregivers and the general public. REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with daily operational challenges with a calm demeanor. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.