Day Program Support Staff - Darien (Tuesdays and Thursdays Only)

Are you looking for a part-time job working Tuesdays and Thursdays during the daytime with adults with special needs?

We are a special recreation association, which is like a park district just for people with disabilities. We serve thirteen communities in eastern DuPage and southern Cook counties, and our home base is in Downers Grove.

We offer recreational programming specifically for children and adults with special needs, and we're looking for kind, patient, energetic people from all backgrounds to help our participants learn, grow, and - most importantly - have fun!

This position supports our EAGLES Adult Day Program, which provides year-round social, educational, and health-focused activities for adults with disabilities.

This is a non-exempt, part-time position located at the Darien Sportsplex: 451 Plainfield Road, Darien.

Hours for this position are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m.

Interested? Read on for position details, then apply to become a member of Team SEASPAR today!

Summary

The EAGLES Support Staff is responsible for assisting with the EAGLES Adult Day Program. This includes providing a safe learning environment for the participants and staff, assisting the EAGLES Manager and Site Director with program planning, lesson plans, and purchasing supplies.

Position

Qualifications

• High school diploma or college degree preferred.
• Two years direct experience working with individuals with disabilities preferred.21 years of age or older and able to perform the job functions independently of others.
• Valid driver's license and being comfortable with driving agency minivan to community outings with participants.
• Availability to commit to Tuesdays and Thursdays year-round approximately 8:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist EAGLES Site Director in the development, planning, and implementation of daily activities.
• Successfully work with full-time staff, EAGLES Site Director and other Support Staff, volunteers, parents, community partners, member entity staff, and individuals with special needs.
• Discuss any concerns and issues with EAGLES Site Director.
• Participate and supervise in all planned activities.
• Drive agency minivan to community outings and other EAGLES activities.
• Be familiar with the physical, mental, and medical limitations of all participants; be prepared to provide appropriate attention to all participants in all situations.
• Ensure safety factors relative to the program and participant needs.
• Understand and use proper disciplinary techniques; provide behavior management when necessary.
• Be available to listen to parental concerns and answer questions on behalf of SEASPAR or refer questions to administrative staff.
• Create lesson plans which include appropriate activities, contacts, and timelines.
• Ensure that the facility/program site as well as any equipment is properly maintained.
• Read, understand, and abide by all SEASPAR policies and procedures.
• Regular and predictable on-site attendance.
• Marginal

Responsibilities

• Be dependable and punctual.
• Motivate staff and participants to initiate success.
• Be flexible to change when considering their needs.
• Act as an advocate for the participants when necessary.
• Provide behavior management when necessary.
• Encourage participation and development of friendships with other participants in the program.
• Lift, transport, and set up equipment if necessary.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Competencies

• To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
• Worker Traits: Demonstration of enthusiasm, strong interpersonal skills, communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with people with disabilities, SEASPAR staff, SEASPAR member entity staff, parents/guardians, participants, and community groups, as well as members of the general public.
• Safety and Security: Use good safety awareness, judgment and follow policies; report potentially unsafe conditions; use equipment following manufacturer safety instructions; and follow agency ergonomic policies and procedures.
• Problem Solving: Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner; gather and analyze information skillfully, develop alternative solutions; work well in group problem solving situations; use reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Customer Service: Manage difficult or emotional patron situations; respond promptly to patron needs; solicit patron feedback to improve service; and respond to requests for service and assistance.
• Interpersonal

Skills

• Focus on solving conflict, not blaming; maintain confidentiality; listen to others without interrupting; keep emotions under control; remain open to others' ideas; and try new things.
• Oral Communication: Speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listen and get clarification; respond well to questions; and participate in meetings.
• Written Communication: Write clearly and informatively; edit work for spelling and grammar; be able to interpret written information; and present clear, legible handwriting.
• Quality Management: Look for ways to improve and promote quality; and demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness.
• Judgment: Display willingness to make decisions; exhibit sound and accurate judgment; support and explain reasoning for decisions; and include appropriate people in decision making process.
• Planning/Organizing: Prioritize and plan work activities and use time efficiently.
• Professionalism: Approach others in a tactful manner; react well under pressure; treat others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accept responsibility for own actions; follow through on commitments.
• Adaptability: Adapt to changes in the work environment; manage competing demands; change approach or method as necessary; deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality: Demonstrate consistent attendance and on time arrival; ensure responsibilities are covered when absent; arrive at meetings and appointments on time.
• Dependability: Follow instructions; respond to management direction; take responsibility for own actions; keep commitments; commit to long hours of work when necessary; and complete tasks on time.
• Language

Skills

• Read and interpret documents such as safely rules, operating and maintenance instruction and procedure manuals; write correspondences as necessary; and speak effectively to patrons, coworkers, and supervisors.
• Reasoning Ability: Apply common sense understand to carry out detailed by uninvolved written or oral instructions.
• Solve problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the key responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the key responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee is required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or transfer up to 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.SEASPAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer which has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the agency, which bases employment upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of an individual's actual or perceived race (including but not limited to traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, sex, gender (including gender identity and expression), age, national origin, citizenship status, work authorization status, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, disability, association with a person with a disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, unfavorable discharge from military service or military status, civil union partnership, order of protection status, pregnancy, childbirth or a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process may contact HR at info@seaspar.orgSalary: $18 - $21 per hour