NOTE: A completed application form, resume, and cover letter are required to be considered for the position.
Mission Statement: The Pierce County AIDS Foundation, through education and service, prevents HIV infection, assists persons affected by HIV/AIDS, addresses related health problems, and combats associated stigma and discrimination.
Vision: Building communities to save lives.
General Description:
The Life Skills Coordinator (LSC) is a member of the Client Services team at the Pierce County AIDS Foundation and works with AIDS Housing Association – Tacoma to provide supportive life skills training to Project Open Door (POD) residents. The Life Skills Coordinator has primary responsibility to work with the residents of two homes for people with HIV or AIDS who are previously chronically homeless. The LSC works closely with clients and case managers at PCAF to provide life skills training and access to needed resources.
Work schedule: 9 AM to 6 PM Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
The Life Skills Coordinator is responsible for the following:
1. Assist in the intake assessments of clients being considered for Project Open Door.
2. Conduct comprehensive life skills assessment and develop service plans with POD residents that include but are not limited to:
a. Management of individual finances (e.g. paying rent in a timely manner, budgeting, etc.).
b. Living and participating with others in a self-governed home.
c. Maintenance of private room and home safety including cleaning, garbage disposal, laundry, assuring cleanliness of all communal areas in order to reduce the risk of infection to others.
d. Learning of individual and group conflict resolution skills, including decision-making, healthy boundaries, etc.
e. Participation in risk reduction skill building, managing their health care including making/keeping health care appointments, maintaining a personal calendar and health records, adhering to medication regiments, advocating successfully with professionals, etc.
f. Use of public transportation.
g. Assessing and accessing emergency services when appropriate.
h. Self esteem building, job readiness skills, volunteer services, etc.
3. Monitor, review and update the life skills plan with the client on scheduled basis, tailoring plan to client’s identified needs.
4. Develop and maintain positive work relationships with social service providers who offer life skill training, health care seminars, education, social skill training, job readiness, etc. in order to provide the wide array of assistance that each individual resident may need in order to reduce any duplication of services in the community.
5. Collaborate with Case Managers in assisting clients with service plans and give input regarding issues that are germane to the service plan.
6.
Assist in assuring that house
rules and policies are being adhered to and that residents have a clear
understanding of these rules and policies.; assist in
individual and group problem solving when necessary and
collaborate with other POD staff on providing consistent messages and
information to all residents.
7. Participate as an ongoing member in the Resident Review Committee.
8. Document client contacts as required by funding sources; maintain accurate records and prepare written statistical reports as required in an accurate and timely manner.
9. Develop and maintain knowledge of HIV/AIDS related conditions and treatment, and use knowledge to educate clients and their support systems when appropriate.
10. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with medical providers, chemical dependency and health and social service providers; participate in case reviews with other POD and PCAF staff.
11. Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
v Bachelor's Degree in Human Services related field or equivalent. Employment history must include a minimum of two (2) years related work in a health or human service agency.
v Experience working with individuals with mental illness, chemical dependency, the dually diagnosed and the homeless in a harm reduction setting. Experience working with HIV infected individuals preferred.
v Demonstrated ability to work effectively under stressful conditions with people of varying socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and ethnic diversity.
v Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Group training and facilitation experience is preferred.
v Knowledge of community resources and referrals.
v Willingness and ability to articulate and abide by PCAF's philosophy and policies in providing service to clients and in representing the agency.
v Ability to be flexible, supportive and to work cooperatively with staff as a member of a diverse team.
v Proficient in computer word processing and Excel.
v WA State Driver's License, dependable transportation and current car insurance.
Salary and Benefits:
The salary scale for this position is $13.80/hour. Benefits include medical and dental plans, life and long-term disability insurance, an employee assistance program, accrual of vacation and sick leave each month, and 9 holidays per year.
How to Apply:
Completed application form, resume, and cover letter are required. Please contact via email, phone or fax for an application form:
Pierce County AIDS Foundation
625 Commerce Street, Suite 10
Tacoma, Washington 98402
Phone: 253-383-2565
Fax: 2535-597-6682
Applicants invited for an interview should be prepared to provide reliable information on how to make phone contact with three references, including one former or current supervisor. Those being interviewed should provide proof of highest educational degree completed and agree to submit to a criminal background check. Visit our website at www.PierceCountyAIDS.org
The Pierce County AIDS Foundation is an equal opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, color, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, age, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, or the presence of any sensory or physical disability, including HIV status. Smoking is not permitted on the premises.