Monday, November 15, 2010

Young Adults with Disabilities in Transition (YADT) Initiative Coordinator, Jewish Residential Services - Pittsburgh, PA

Posted: 11/15/10

Jewish Residential Services

Young Adults with Disabilities in Transition (YADT) Initiative Coordinator

JOB DESCRIPTION

REPORTS TO:

Executive Director, Director of Operations, Board of Directors

Agency Background:

Jewish Residential Services (JRS), a private, non-profit organization in Pittsburgh, was established nearly twenty years ago in response to identified, unmet needs of people with disabilities in the area’s Jewish community. The mission of Jewish Residential Services is to provide residential and rehabilitative services to people who need support in their everyday lives because of psychiatric, intellectual or autism-related disabilities.

JRS operates a range of residential, psychiatric rehabilitation and social programs for adults living with psychiatric or intellectual disabilities.  Most recently the agency has been engaged in assessing the needs of young adults with intellectual, autism spectrum disorders and physical disabilities and developing plans to address identified needs in the areas of housing, respite, advocacy, socialization and transportation.

More information about the agency’s current programs and priorities is available at www.jrspgh.org.

YADT Initiative Background:

Transitional age youth are individuals with special needs between the ages of 18-35, experiencing major life changes including some or all of the following: Aging out of school and youth programs; Diminishing access to supportive services; Interested in increased personal independence; Aging parents; Entering or striving to enter the workforce.

Our objective is to see individuals and families in Jewish Pittsburgh experiencing these transitions: Benefit from a strong sense of community and shared journey; Have the knowledge and skills to successfully advocate for individuals/families and needed funding and policy changes; And have ample, flexible, appropriate opportunities for social and vocational programming, respite/day services, housing, and transportation.

Position Summary:          

In conjunction with JRS staff and the YADT working group, this contracted position will drive the strategic direction of the Initiative by: Leading the development of pilot projects; Developing and maintaining relationships with institutional partners; and assuring Initiative success through staffing and fundraising. This is conceived as a part-time position of approximately one year in duration. 

Position Responsibilities:

• Set strategic direction for initiative, in partnership with the YADT steering committee
• Provide leadership and assure collaboration among stakeholders within the community, including community leaders, volunteers and families in areas identified above.  
• Develop relationships with key individual and institutional partners, both within and outside the Jewish community, needed to achieve Initiative goals.
• Cultivate and solicit funders to support Initiative operations and individual pilot projects
• Support community-building activities related to the Special Needs population within the Jewish Community.
• As appropriate, participate in coalitions outside of Jewish Community, working to achieve objectives related to Initiative goals.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to set priorities and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to obtain information related to community support systems, regulatory guidelines, and best practices.
• Demonstrated communication skills with a diverse population.
• Proven track record and history in developing community partnerships.
• Ability to produce deliverables by set deadlines.
• Ability to plan programs that have a culturally Jewish ambiance but are accepting of and comfortable for persons from all backgrounds.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal skills.  
• Have general technology skills.    

Priority will be placed on candidates who meet the essential requirements of the position and have experience in the disability field.  Experience in the following areas will be an asset:

• Community organizing and convening
• Advocacy
• Program  planning and development
• Public relations
• Fundraising

TO APPLY: 

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, two references, pay requirements to:

Debbie Friedman, Executive Director, JRS, 4905 Fifth Ave., Suite 3, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. dfriedman@jrspgh.org

Applications will be accepted until 12/17/2010

Please mention that you heard about this opportunity from Dewey & Kaye Jobs Watch in your cover letter when applying for this position.

Copyright © Dewey & Kaye, a ParenteBeard Company
20 Stanwix Street, Suite 900, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 - www.deweykaye.com