Independent Living Peer Specialist

Buffalo, NY. Full-time position with benefits.

About the role

This position will coordinate and provide training and support to consumers of ACCES-VR services, as well as coordinate and provide disability peer training to ACCES-VR staff and vendors. The role will be overseen by WNYIL while located at the ACCES-VR District Office.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with ACCES-VR Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors to assist people with disabilities seeking vocational services.
• Ensure provision of a minimum of six group trainings (30–60 minutes each) per year, led by experts who are either Peer Independent Living Specialists or working alongside them, in areas described in the training plan approved by the ACCES-VR District Office.
• Provide at least quarterly information and training sessions to District Office staff and community partners on relevant Independent Living trends and topics.
• Teach consumers basic self-advocacy and self-sufficiency skills.
• Teach consumers how to request and obtain reasonable accommodations.
• Assist consumers with obtaining Medicaid buy-in for working people with disabilities.
• Assist consumers with learning healthcare self-management.
• Assist consumers with creating a Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS).
• Teach consumers how to coordinate transportation services and support.
• Teach consumers to understand their rights and responsibilities in employment as a person with a disability.

Requirements

• Associate Degree in Human Services or related field or Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field. Professional and life experience may be considered in lieu of, in full or part of academic credentials.
• Associate degree requires two (2) years related work or volunteer experience in the Human Service Field; Bachelor’s degree requires one (1) year of such experience.
• Must have personal experience with disabilities.
• Must have experience related to disability services; specific experience providing the above services is highly preferred.
• Must have working knowledge of people with disabilities and state and federal laws pertaining to the rights of people with disabilities.
• Must be able to independently travel throughout the western region of ACCES-VR (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming).
• Must have an intermediate level of knowledge of computers including the use of Excel spreadsheets, databases, word processing, and networks.

Pay

$45,000–$47,000 per year.