Independent Living & Residential Specialist 1 - Nisonger Center

The Ohio State University

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Ohio State University Nisonger Center’s Learning and Interpersonal Development Skills (LIDS) department seeks a student-centered, team-oriented candidate for the position of Independent Living and Residential Success and Enrichment Specialist. This in-person role is part of a vibrant team of student affairs, higher education, and social work professionals dedicated to supporting college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as other co-occurring conditions, as they transition from education to employment through the Transition Options in Postsecondary Settings (TOPS) program. TOPS promotes student growth and success through a comprehensive range of services. The Independent Living and Residential Success and Enrichment Specialist provides individualized coaching to guide TOPS students through their transition to and through college life by supporting development of independent life skills and wellness strategies and encouraging engagement in campus and community activities. Key responsibilities include offering 1:1 structured skillbuilding sessions, teaching adult life-skill readiness courses and workshops to foster problem-solving, self-advocacy and communication skills, coordinating and conducting transportation training, fostering peer connections, guiding students to engage in a variety of campus and community involvement opportunities, assessing and documenting goal progress and attainment. All TOPS staff contribute to program and departmental growth by participating in student and family recruitment and orientation activities. Additional responsibilities include attending community recruitment events for all LIDS programs, supporting local, regional, and national professional development efforts, and completing interviews, assessments and documentation with prospective TOPS students and their families. This role also includes coordinating volunteers who support TOPS students related to social communication skills, connecting with campus and community service events, and student organizations. Due to the nature of this position, evening and/or weekend availability is required for activities such as campus events, community engagement, professional development events, departmental presentations, and responding to email and text communication. Staff are expected to adhere to HIPAA, FERPA, and OSU/OSUMC requirements while upholding the program’s values of interdependency, supported decision-making, and self-determination. Candidates may also have opportunities to engage in grant writing and funding initiatives, conference presentations, research efforts, and program budget, based on their interests. Education, lived experience, and/or experience in working with teens and/or young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other co-occurring conditions is desired. Bachelor’s degree in student affairs, social work, or other related social science field is preferred. It is preferred that the candidate also has experience in facilitating training for and overseeing groups of students. Strong oral, written, and interpersonal skills required.

Requirements

Strong oral, written, and interpersonal skills required.
Bachelor’s degree in Student Affairs, Social Work or other Social Sciences Or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Evening and/or weekend availability is required for activities such as housing and residential life activities, community engagement, professional development events, departmental presentations, and responding to email and text communications

Nice To Haves

Education, lived experience, and/or experience in working with teens and/or young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other co-occurring conditions is desired.
Bachelor’s degree in student affairs, social work, or other related social science field is preferred.
It is preferred that the candidate also has experience in facilitating training for and overseeing groups of students.
Additional education is encouraged; continuing education is encouraged
Experience working with adolescents and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other co-occurring conditions desired.
It is preferred that the candidate has experience in facilitating training for and overseeing groups of students.
Participation in grant writing, research, presentations (optional)
Program budget activities (optional)

Responsibilities

Provide individualized support and services to TOPS students
Guide students with intellectual disabilities in transitioning to college life
Support development of independent living, executive function, and problem-solving skills
Monitor student progress of goal setting and attainment using person-centered planning
Develop communication and daily living skills to support roommate engagement
Assess individual independent living needs and provide instruction, support, and skill development for independence and daily functioning
Document student progress in independent living and community engagement
Advise students in understanding and locating housing (on/off campus)
Plan and conduct travel training (campus and community)
Collaborate with TOPS team on development of daily living, self-management, planning and organization, and self-advocacy skills
Coordinate and plan social events with students
Help students engage socially and build peer relationships
Assist students in joining clubs, organizations, and campus activities
Maintain TOPS program calendar
Teach TOPS Student Learning Community class
Plan and deliver life skills seminars and workshops for TOPS students (e.g., drug/alcohol awareness, physical fitness, stress management)
Work with campus partners to support student experience
Connect students with a range of campus resources
Plan, support implementation, and evaluate student transition, goals, and outcomes
Help to develop and implement program plans and objectives
Evaluate effectiveness of classes and workshops and collaborate on improvements
Collaborate with TOPS supervisors on appropriate actions to ensure a high degree of quality for the program, in student engagement, and service delivery
Coordinate volunteers for social and community service events
Oversee volunteer involvement in activities
Maintain strong written documentation and reporting
Provide administrative functions for program’s documentation system
Provide updates on student progress and program outcomes
Support for recruitment and special events (evenings/weekends)
Answer emails and periodically monitor program phone (evenings/weekends)
Perform other programmatic and administrative duties as directed
Participation in grant writing, research, presentations (optional)
Program budget activities (optional)
Collaborate with families and adult service providers
Work closely with external service providers such as property managers, law enforcement, transportation organizations
Introduce students to community resources
Conduct travel training within the broader community
Provide administrative facilitation of program’s documentation systems
Participate in student and family recruitment and orientation activities
Attend community recruitment events for all LIDS programs
Support local, regional, and national professional development efforts
Complete interviews, assessments and documentation with prospective TOPS students and their families
Coordinate, train, and supervise volunteers who support TOPS students.
Adhere to HIPAA, FERPA, and OSU/OSUMC requirements
Uphold the program’s values of interdependency, supported decision-making, and self-determination