Position Title: Community Builder
Location: Balsam, Ct Apartments, Greendale, WI
Reports To: Operations Manager
Status: Part-time
Hours: 12.25 hours/week
Pay: Reduced rent and pay as applicable
FLSA Status: Not applicable
Position Summary:
We have an exciting opportunity for a Community Builder at DSAW’s first independent living residence! This is an onsite/live-in opportunity with compensation in the form of a rent deduction. The Community Builder will live in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom, newly renovated apartment with a private entrance that is part of a multi-family residence in beautiful Greendale, WI. The other two attached units have three bedrooms that individuals with disabilities will rent. The home is in a quiet neighborhood with a beautiful fenced-in backyard, only a 5-minute walk from historic downtown Greendale, and is close to many other amenities.
The Community Builder (CB) provides daily check-ins and social connections for Balsam Ct. tenants. Some might compare the role of Community Builder to a “resident assistant” in a college dorm. The CB fosters a sense of responsibility, security, and community among the tenants by facilitating daily check-ins, weekly meetings, and regular community activities. The CB is also an overnight presence for tenants if emergencies occur. The CB is a role model for independent living skills.
The Community Builder should be passionate about getting to know the tenants living in the Greendale residence and the other neighbors on the block and in the community. A successful Community Builder will build a community within the residence itself and serve as a vital bridge in connecting the tenants with neighbors, friends, business owners, and natural supports in the community. The ideal candidate will be extremely outgoing and social, very interested in community building, and passionate about helping individuals with disabilities live a fulfilled, independent life in the community.
General Duties:
- Checks in at least once daily with each tenant and provides additional check-ins as needed. The timing and type of check-in (by phone, video, or in-person) will be pre-determined by the tenant, their family and the CB, with a daily, in-person check-in as the goal.
- Serves as an overnight contact for tenant if emergencies occur. When not available for overnight contact, informs the Operations Manager and Department Director at least two weeks in advance unless it is an emergency. Informs and updates CB respite workers in the form of family members, natural and paid supports, and/or DSAW wraparound team members on tenants’ needs and building procedures.
- Organizes, attends, facilitates, and supervises weekly tenants’ meetings in a manner that supports the tenant acting as stakeholders in their community. Goals such as taking pride in the tenants residential community, decision-making as a group, and establishing a system of accountability between the tenants and the greater community are pursued.
- Facilitates and supports community activities or social gatherings with the expectation that at least one 4-hour activity or gathering will be held each month. Identifies, with input from other staff, tenants, and family members, community events and volunteer opportunities and communicates to the tenants about opportunities for participation.
- Requests use and approval of funds from the Operations Manager for community activities and promptly submits reimbursement forms and receipts.
- Helps to build a sense of community for the tenants and creates a positive, safe, and welcoming community environment.
- Facilitates and records emergency drill practices (i.e., fire, tornado) with tenants and works with the Operations Manager to keep Emergency Contact and medical information updated and accessible in the event of an emergency.
- Supports tenants to communicate any maintenance work order needed to Real Property Management (property management company) promptly and follows up as necessary to ensure work orders are completed.
- Knows and follows DSAW’s emergency protocol and informs the Operations Manager and Department Director as soon as possible in the event of an emergency or urgent situation, such as tenant injury or medical emergency, or if a tenant has not connected for the daily check-in within 24 hours of the last daily check-in.
- Works as a member of the wraparound team supporting the tenant and supports the independent living plans outlined by the tenant. Communicates with tenant’s natural and paid supports as needed by phone and email and actively participates in staff, tenant, and family meetings. Engages in DSAW’s problem-solving processes.
- Communicates with natural and paid support staff as needed, stays updated on each tenant.
- Sets defines, and communicates personal and professional boundaries with tenants and their families. Always maintains professionalism and confidentiality.
- Create a virtual “bulletin board” to identify local transportation solutions, community events, volunteer opportunities, etc and communicate to the tenants for opportunities for participation.
- Work with the DSAW leadership team to pilot and evolve the Community Builder role, policies/procedures, training materials, replication resources, and more.
Required Skills, Experience, and Knowledge
The CB must have:
- Two years or more of documented work experience in a leadership position in social work, mental health, disability services, and/or educational settings.
- Experience working with individuals with disabilities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially with individuals with disabilities, their families and supports, and DSAW team members.
- Demonstrated ability in problem-solving and creative thinking.
- Self-motivated with a demonstrated ability to take the initiative and to work independently when required.
Applicants must be able to pass a caregiver background check, credit check, and driver’s license background check.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and professional boundaries in delivering direct services.
Other Requirements
- Availability to work evening and weekend hours 6 days per week as outlined in the job description and CB contract.
- The ideal candidate is predominantly a home-body who doesn’t have overnight guests, doesn’t have significant upcoming travel plans, and is willing to make at least a 1-year commitment.
- Flexibility to receive, initiate, and respond to work-related communications six days per week, twenty-four hours per day (unlikely).
- A good driving record and auto insurance with the coverage amount stated in the current DSAW policy must be maintained if the CB will be driving residents.
- Ability to offer physical assistance to residents, if needed.
- Ability to lift and move materials and objects that weigh 15-25 pounds.
Job Schedule
This job is part-time with the expectation that the employee will work no more than the weekly cap as outlined in the attached exhibit, Weekly Cap Maximum. The weekly cap maximum is based on the minimum expected CB responsibilities of one 15-minute check-in daily, one-hour weekly meeting, one activity per month, and administrative time to support the residents in the Balsam Ct. residence.
Greendale Live-In Space:
- Newly renovated
- One bedroom, one bathroom
- Living room and full kitchen
- In-unit washer and dryer
- Fenced in yard
- Garage
- Balconies
- WIFI included
- Water/Sewer/Lawn Care/Snow Removal included
- Phone/Electricity/Heat to be paid by CB.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.