Group Worker at The Chicago Lighthouse in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: Assists in teaching adults with moderate developmental disabilities who are blind and/or visually impaired in all program components including community utilization, independent living, personal care, prevocational, communication, and functional academics.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS: This position holds no direct supervisory responsibility.

TRAVEL REQUIRED: Less than 15%; metro Chicago area.

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Assists in planning and carrying out recreational activities and field trips; assists in coordinating a variety of leisure and community activities;


• Assists teaching staff in the evaluation and instruction of participants in all program components including vocational tasks;


• Provides meaningful instruction to participants to assist with skills related to living in the community. Carries out large and small group activities and individual assignments, as assigned, which are developed in the daily lesson plans;


• Assists teaching staff in implementing established individual education plans (IEPs) and behavior management plans for each program participant;


• Assists program participants with socialization, orientation, and self-care needs; meets with individuals as necessary to discuss behavioral concerns, problems identified by the participants and/or sensitive subjects requiring attention.


• Attends regular staff meetings, program participant staffings, professional meetings, training, and in-services as directed by supervisor;


• Maintains service delivery notes on participants progress on formal goals.


• Provides protection and safe conditions for all assigned program participants;


• Provides supervisor with immediate information regarding participant medical issues or problem behaviors which could result in serious disruptive acts against participant or others;


• Ensures the safety and security of program and environment, following agency emergency procedures to handle cases of accident, illness or emergency; must be able to demonstrate basic emergency procedures such as first aid, seeking emergency medical attention as well as identifying and reporting abuse.


• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Associates degree with course work in education or related field preferred; high school diploma or equivalent required;


• Previous experience with persons who are blind, visually impaired, developmental disabilities, or multi-disabled individuals required;


• State Direct Service Provider (DSP) certification required;


• Commitment to our mission of providing opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired is essential.


• Current OIG Rule 50 Training, First Aid and Adult CPR certification.