Independent Living Branch Offices Supervisor

Why a career with Independence First?

When you join Independence First you will be part of a
collaborative and passionate team. You will also enjoy lucrative
benefits! Independence First was selected as one of Milwaukee
Business Journal's Best Places to Work 2022-2025.

Independence First is looking for awesome people to join our team!

You are just the person to join our growing team if you are...

*Passionate About Helping Others

Benefits include:

• * 12 sick days, 13 vacation days and an additional 12 paid
  holidays a year
• * Employer paid Dental, Life Insurance (twice annual salary),
  AD&D, Short and Long Term Disability
• * Health Insurance Benefits (partially employer paid, depending on coverage)
• * Low-cost Vision Insurance
• * Employer-matched 403(b) Retirement Account
• * Fitness Center On-site
• * Annual Health Risk Assessment
• * Annual Flu Shot
• * Comprehensive Wellness Program
• * Tuition Reimbursement Program

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position: Independent Living Branch Offices Supervisor

Status: Full Time, Salary

Reports to:Director of Independent Living Services

Position Summary:Position will facilitate and
coordinate independent living services to individuals with
disabilities, in Ozaukee, Waukesha and Washington counties, to enhance
access and promote meaningful community living and independence.
Provide supervision of the IL Coordinators assigned to the branch
offices. Work with consumers, families, community partners, local
school staff, and other service providers to increase the quality and
reach of Independence First programs and services throughout our
service area. Coordinate staff and travel to the county offices to
build up consumer base and provide direct independent living services
to consumers. Coordinate peer support efforts in the outlying counties
in collaboration with Independence First staff in Milwaukee County.
Duties include the coordination and monitoring of all activities
related to the classes and workshops held in the branch offices,
identifying community needs and promoting fee for service
opportunities including PAS services, conducting outreach to establish
referral relationships with schools, community partners, and service
providers, and building relationships in the
multi-cultural/underserved communities (African American,
Hispanic/Latino/Hmong etc.) in Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha
counties. Provide information and advocacy services related to
independent living and community accessibility issues and will
collaborate with management team to advocate for policy change at
local, state, and national levels to enhance the quality of life for
individuals with disabilities within the community.

Position Expected Hours of Work: This is a Full-Time
position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to
4:30 pm, however there may be some variability in the weekly schedule
due to consumer need driven by agency need. Occasional evenings and
weekends. Staff is expected to be able to work in the office,
remotely, or a hybrid of both, during regular business hours.

Independent Living Services Essential Functions of the Position:

1. Provide direct supervision of IL Coordinators / Branch offices,
   including annual reviews, training, disciplinary actions, and
   day-to-day documentation
2. Facilitate self-assessment and identification of independent
   living related services needs of the consumer and the community at large.
3. Facilitate the development of independent living goals with the
   consumer. Regularly revisits these goals, updating as needed and
   noting progress.
4. Promote self-advocacy by teaching individuals how to access
   services, assert their rights, obtain funding for the purpose of
   reaching their goals.
5. Provide independent living skills instruction on an individual or
   group basis.
6. Provide information, referral and training to consumers and the
   community in the Independence First service area on independent
   living issues and services.
7. Develop and maintain appropriate collaborative relationships with
   schools, community partners, local officials and service providers
   to enhance the goals of independent living.
8. Conduct outreach to establish collaborative relationships with
   other organizations and service providers that serve individuals
   with disabilities that are part of multi-cultural/underserved
   populations (African American, Hispanic/Latino, Hmong) in the
   outlying counties.
9. Regularly attend scheduled collaborative meetings in each of the
   outlying counties of Ozaukee, Waukesha and Washington.
10. Facilitate agency's peer support efforts in Ozaukee, Washington,
    and Waukesha counties
11. Coordinate with Department and Agency management teams to improve
    reach and quality of all Independence First services.
12. Participate as a member of the Independent Living Services team by
    attending agency meetings and events.
13. Complete agency required documentation in agency database.
14. Must be able to travel to any of four different agency offices
    during the work-week to deliver services to consumers.

Disability Policy Change Essential Functions of the Position:

1. Participate in individual and systems advocacy activities by
   voicing opinion at public hearings and educating public officials
   through letter writing or other appropriate means on issues relating
   to independent living.
2. Actively participant in agency advocacy team.
3. Present testimony on disability issues by writing, email, and fax,
   in person testimony to legislative bodies on the local, state and
   federal levels. This includes contacting congresspersons, senators
   and giving opinions on pending legislation.
4. Assist consumers with their advocacy needs.
5. Participate in Disability Policy Change Events.

Work Environment

1. Work environment is generally performed in an office setting with
   minimal to moderate noise level.
2. 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.

Disclaimer:

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to
describe the principle functions of the occupation described and shall
not be construed as a detailed description of all the work
requirements that may be inherent in the occupation.

As an Independent Living Center, it is required that 51% of
Independence First's staff have a disability. Independence First is
an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people with
disabilities to apply for this position.

Professional Qualifications

1. Must have a firm belief in consumer control, the independent
   living philosophy and our agency Vision Statement:

• 
  Independence First is for full inclusion of persons with
  disabilities in every aspect of our community and Independence
  First commits itself toward this end.

• 
  'Empowerment is part psychological, part social, and part
  political. It is the process by which individuals define their own
  problems, find their own voice, develop their own

plans, act on their own behalf, and claim their own power.'

• 'Empowerment means more than having responsibility, but also
  having the authority and ability to make one's own choices.'

1. Bachelor's degree in related field or life experience may be
   substituted in lieu of, in full or part of academic requirements.
2. Must have good working knowledge of Long-term care benefits and
   how to access them via county and state.
3. Must have good working knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid and how
   it intertwines with long-term care benefits.
4. Excellent written and oral communications skills a must.
5. Good computer skills, knowledge of MS Word products, specifically,
   Word, EXCEL, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
6. Demonstrated positive attitude, reliability, a self-starter who
   assumes responsibility when warranted, is conscientious,
   professional in manner and hard working.
7. Knowledge of federal, state and community services and funding resources.
8. Knowledge of disability rights legislation including the ADA,
   Rehabilitation Act, IDEA, etc.
9. Transportationally mobile or able to arrange own transportation.
10. Must be able to work occasional weekends and evening hours.
11. Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision required.
12. Cheerfully and willingly accepts new assignments and projects.