Employment

All positions are open until filled – looking to fill these positions ASAP

Minorities and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. ARI is an equal opportunity employer.

Interested individuals should send a resume and a cover letter via email to Chris Kelter, Executive Director, [email protected], for immediate consideration.

• Independent Living Specialist
• Peer Support Counselor – Nursing Facility Outreach
• Supports Planner – Veterans Directed Care
• Public Health Specialist
• Office Manager

Independent Living Specialist

An Independent Living Specialist serves as a mentor, assisting people with disabilities with goal setting, connecting people to the appropriate community services and programs, and facilitating one-on-one and group skill-building sessions on topics including, but not limited to, communication skills, self-advocacy, and requesting accommodations. The Independent Living Specialist will report to the Independent Living Manager and collaborate with the Independent Living Team to implement self-advocacy training for youth with disabilities as they prepare to exit high school for post-secondary education or the workforce. This position is co-located at the Anne Arundel Maryland Access Point (Annapolis, MD) two days each week.

Requirements:

• proficiency in Microsoft Office, Outlook, and Zoom;
• ability to communicate effectively with individuals with disabilities;
• excellent interpersonal communication skills;
• ability to complete and track progress notes;
• excellent attention to detail;
• strong problem solving skills;
• ability to find, use and build community resources and partnerships;
• ability to support people to lead the lives they choose;
• ability to stay positive and focused on the organization’s mission;
• ability to collaborate with both people with disabilities and other professionals;
• an understanding of the Independent Living philosophy; and
• knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other civil rights laws.

Preferred candidates have 4 years of work experience and experience in the disability field. Must have access to transportation. Must have internet access. Criminal history record check required. Flexible and progressive work environment.

Position details: 40 hours per week at $39,000 annually. Health, vision, dental, paid time off, 10 holidays available.

Peer Support Counselor – Nursing Facility Transition and Outreach

Peer Support Counselor – Nursing Facility Transition and Outreach activities include monthly visits to nursing facilities, building relationships with nursing facility residents, family/representatives if applicable, local Ombudsman’s and staff, to act as a resource on community living and the transition process, and identifying services that benefit individuals with disabilities moving back to community life. Additional activities include developing goals with the resident, and/or their representative, and attending pertinent meetings/events at nursing facilities to build connections with residents and their families, supporters, or staff.

Requirements 

• Understand the history and commitment to the philosophy of Independent Living; 
• Strong desire to support people to lead the lives they choose; 
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals with disabilities; 
• Experience in goal development;
• Ability to research, use and build community resources and partnerships; 
• Tracking of case notes and excellent attention to details; 
• Skilled in problem solving; 
• Ability to follow through on tasks;
• Good typing and computer skills; and
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

Peer Support Counselor must have a disability or personal experience (non-professional) with disability issues and comparable work experience, with a preference for individuals who have moved from a nursing facility or in the transition stage of doing so; a college degree is preferred. Key attributes should include: a strong belief in the independent living philosophy along with life experience with disability and community living or the equivalent; ability to manage a varied workload, ability to travel across Anne Arundel and Howard counties and go into nursing facilities on a monthly basis, deliver resource materials and talk with residents about community living possibilities; gather information and build relationships with staff at the nursing facilities, and to keep accurate records. 

Position Details: Approximately 30 hours per week at $18.50 per hour. Health insurance, retirement, paid time off and holidays. Flexible and progressive work environment. Background check required.

Supports Planner - Veterans Directed Care

A Supports Planner works with veterans with disabilities to provide technical assistance on managing your own services and supports, budgeting funds, and connecting to community resources. With a caseload that varies, the Supports Planner makes monthly contacts, does periodic assessments, and monitors the budget of the veteran.

Requirements:

• understanding of the history and commitment to the philosophy of Independent Living;
• knowledge of or ability to learn about laws and civil rights;
• communicate effectively with individuals with disabilities;
• good typing and computer skills;
• good case notes documentation;
• attention to details;
• good people skills;
• skilled in problem solving;
• ability to find, use and build community resources and partnerships;
• support people to lead the lives they choose;
• experience in planning and organizing group activities;
• positive and determined attitude;
• skilled collaborator;
• excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Must have access to transportation with travel capability. Must have internet access and ability to work from home. Background check required. Preferred candidates have 4 years of work experience with a minimum of 2 years in the disability field. This position will work a hybrid telework and in-office schedule. Seeking self- motivated candidates with proficiency in Outlook, Teams, Microsoft Word, and Zoom.

Position details: $44,500 annually. Health, vision, dental, paid time off, 10 holidays available. Flexible and progressive work environment.

Public Health Specialist

ARI is seeking self-motivated candidates to provide a vital role as a Public Health Specialist. The Public Health Specialist is responsible for working directly with people with disabilities and older adults to provide crucial public health services that support the wellbeing of these populations.

Position Description: 

Responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:

• Complete Intake process for consumers;
• Maintain consumers’ record via cloud-based platform and hard files when needed;
• Create individualized Independent Living Plans with consumers to clarify goals;
• Meet individually with consumers to provide socialization, information, training, support/mentoring and to encourage active community participation;
• Evaluate homes for fall risks;
• Assist consumers in emergency preparedness preparations;
• Provide health care organization (calendar of appointments, medication set up);
• Support individuals who recently moved out of Nursing Facilities in accessing resources;
• Coordinate management of chronic conditions workshops and Health and Wellness events;
• Offer information on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, including access; and
• Perform other duties as assigned which are commensurate with the level of expertise and experience.

Requirements:

• understanding of the history and commitment to the philosophy of Independent Living;
• knowledge of or ability to learn about laws and civil rights;
• communicate effectively with individuals with disabilities;
• good typing and computer skills;
• good case notes documentation;
• attention to details;
• good people skills;
• skilled in problem solving;
• ability to find, use and build community resources and partnerships;
• support people to lead the lives they choose;
• experience in planning and organizing group activities;
• positive and determined attitude;
• skilled collaborator; and
• excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred candidates have 2 years of work experience in Public Health and related fields; preferred candidates have some work experience in the disability field. Candidates must have access to transportation with travel capability. Candidates must have internet access and the ability to work from home. Background check required. Seeking self-motivated candidates with proficiency in Outlook, Teams, Microsoft Word, and Zoom.

Compensation: 40 hours per week at $20.00/hour. Health, vision, dental, paid time off, 10 holidays available. Flexible and progressive work environment. 

The Public Health Specialist is supervised by the Executive Director.

The Public Health Specialist does not supervise any other ARI staff; the Public Health Specialist may provide general guidance to the ARI Office Manager/Administrative Assistant for certain work tasks related to the project.

Office Manager/Administrative Assistant

POSITION DESCRIPTION: Office Manager/Administrative Assistant to provide general administrative support to ARI’s executive team and program staff. This is a part-time (20-25 hours/week), in-person position that provides flexibility in scheduling. Hybrid in person/remote work in the future is a possibility. ARI is seeking an organized and team-oriented candidate with skills in key office administration software and machinery. Future advancement opportunities may include full-time employment.

FUNCTION: The Office Manager/Administrative Assistant works with ARI’s executive team and program staff to:

• Maintain and support the organization’s day-to-day administrative operations;
• Support ARI’s executive team and programming staff;
• Record/maintain incoming calls and general office email;
• Coordinate registration for programs and activities;
• Assist with office supply inventory and clerical file maintenance; and
• Support fundraising events and efforts.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support Executive Team

• Provide day-to-day support to the Executive Director and Deputy Director/Director of Programs;
• Maintain office records: office mail, billing, invoicing, and accounts receivable;
• Process transactions through Quickbooks;
• Maintain office operations by organizing company memos, managing post/mail, assisting with payroll and benefits system management, maintaining filing systems, placing supply orders, and maintaining and monitoring business clerical functions;
• Maintain record of office policies and procedures, with attention to the protection, retrieval, transfer, and disposal of records;
• Maintain and organize office supply inventory;
• Complete operational requirements by scheduling external meetings for employees; and
• Assist with correspondence to donors, etc.

Provide Support to Program Staff

• Submit timesheets and expense reports
• Upload confidential consumer information and documentation;
• Prepare attendance reports and survey results for grant reporting; and
• Coordinate planning and communication with ARI staff, committees and program facilitators.

Provide Support for Fundraising and Donor Development

• Maintain donor information (enter/update contact information);
• Prepare donations for deposit and entry into Quickbooks;
• Generate donation reports and prepare acknowledgement correspondence on a regular basis;
• Provide administrative assistance with fundraising events as needed;
• File sponsor forms, update sponsor spreadsheet, and invoice sponsors as necessary; and
• Collect contact information for acknowledgement letters (sponsors, in-kind donors).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong organizational skills;
• Experience with MS Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), Zoom, Quickbooks, Lightyear, Adobe, Mailchimp;
• Bilingual in English and Spanish a plus;
• Familiarity with independent living philosophy, individuals with disabilities;
• Comfortable interacting with individuals in the disability community, knowledge of disability cultural competency; and
• High School diploma required, some college or college degree a plus.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Hours: 20-25 hours a week (with some flexibility in schedule and in-person/remote work); the position is anticipated to transition to 40 hours/week in the future.

Pay Rate: $18.00/hour

Benefits: ARI does not offer health, dental or life insurance coverage, 401(k) benefits, or tuition reimbursement for part-time positions.

If you'd like to be considered for future job openings, please email your resume and cover letter to [email protected].

Accessible Resources for Independence is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ARI does not discriminate in regards to race, creed, religion, gender, age, marital status, sexual identity/orientation, national origin, or disability status.