Job Openings

Independent Living Advocate – Housing

Overview of Responsibilities:

This full-time position will work directly with consumers seeking affordable, accessible, integrated housing.  Consumers will be referred from PCIL’s Community Reintegration/MFP team as well as from general calls to our main and satellite offices.   PCIL’s Housing Advocate will assist CR/MFP consumers in locating housing, completing housing applications, and providing skills training.   If home modifications are needed for accessibility, this Advocate will work with the consumer to arrange and coordinate the home modification work as required.  
 

PCIL’s Housing Advocate will also work directly with PCIL’s Information and Referral Advocate to process general housing inquiries.  He/she will also be asked to work with local housing providers to help expand the amount of affordable, accessible, and integrated housing in suburban Cook County. 

Essential Functions Include:
 

• Provide one-on-one housing assistance to community reintegration CR/MFP consumers
• Assist  consumers in identifying all housing-related needs and goals
• Provide direct assistance to CR/MFP consumers in acquiring needed home modifications
• Train all interested consumers on effective housing search techniques using all available resources
• Network with area housing providers, including, but not limited to: public housing units, municipal housing authorities in Cook County, for-profit housing operators.
• Advocate for additional housing resources in the suburban Cook County area.
• Assist consumers in applying for and acquiring  affordable, accessible, integrated housing
• Document and process requests for up-front expenditure requests, including, but not limited to: first month’s rent and security deposit, application fees, credit check fees, etc.
• Document program activity and submit quarterly reports to Illinois’ Division of Rehab Services/Home Services Program
• Respond to requests for information and referral on housing and accessibility issues from PCIL consumers.  

Qualifications: 

• Bachelors degree or equivalent experience
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Must be comfortable and capable of working in a team environment
• Must be familiar with housing waiver programs
• Previous experience with housing providers or agencies preferred
• Personal experience with disability
• Excellent oral and written communication, and organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal, networking and collaboration skills
• Ability to travel independently within suburban Cook County

Fax Resumes to:  John Jansa, Program Director, 708-209-1735 

Deadline to apply:  September 31, 2010

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Independent Living Advocate – Information and Referral  

Overview of Responsibilities:

This part-time position operates out of PCIL’s South Satellite office in Blue Island.   

The Information and Referral Advocate is the main contact between PCIL and the community of people with disabilities in the south suburban Cook County area.  This person will be responsible for handling incoming consumer inquiries, via phone, email and walk-in.  The advocate must have strong problem solving skills and the ability to dispense information about PCIL services and community supports in a clear, concise, and appropriate manner.

The Information and Referral Advocate will collaborate with our Forest Park office I&R Advocate to be responsible for developing and operating independent living skills training programs offered by the Center in the community.  He/She must also maintain I&R materials and consistently document his/her activities.
 

Essential Functions Include:
 

• Develop and implement comprehensive community based training curricula in appropriate program areas such as:
• Independent living skills training
• Information and referral
• Others as expanded
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with community groups and human service agencies within the service area.
• Serve as a resource person and as a specialist to consumers and the public in regard to independent living issues.
• Complete all documentation and evaluation system requirements.
• Comply with all established policies and procedures of the Center
• Develop and implement community education programs as appropriate.
• Attend and participate in regular staff meetings.
• Serve as an advocate on behalf of people with disabilities and instruct persons to advocate for themselves as appropriate.
• Identify areas currently being under-served and work with Independent Living Coordinator to address needs as appropriate.
• Demonstrate strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Provide peer counseling services as appropriate.
• Report to and coordinate activities with the Director of Progress South. 

Qualifications:

• At minimum high school diploma or GED needed
• At least on year professional work experience preferred.
• Experience with life skills instruction desired.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills necessary
• Knowledge of suburban Cook County communities and community resources desired
• Ability to work independently
• Written and oral Spanish language skills preferred
• Sign language skills a plus
• Experience working with people with disabilities (prefer direct personal experience) or first hand experience with a disability.
• Must be able to travel within service area independently
• Able to work flexible hours.
• Demonstrated ability to advocate disability rights and to increase public awareness on pertinent issues. 

Fax Resumes to:  John Jansa, Program Director, 708-209-1735 

Deadline to apply:  September 31, 2010

Personal Assistant

Progress Center is looking for caring and dependable men and women to work as personal assistants for people with disabilities and the elderly in their homes in surburban Cook County. Experience is helpful. Both full and part-time hours are available.

Anyone interested in becoming a personal assistant must first attend a one-day orientation. Call our Personal Assistants Team for the day and time for our next orientation. For information on getting to our office, visit Mapquest at www.mapquest.com/directions.

Call our Personal Assistants Team at 708-209-1500 for answers to any questions you have about being a Personal Assistant. TTY users can call 708-209-1826.