Center for Independent Living, Inc. Information & Referral Specialist Berkeley, CA · Full time

Apply for Information & Referral Specialist

Who We Are: 

Founded in 1972 in Berkeley, California, the Center for Independent Living (CIL) emerged from the Independent Living movement of the 1970’s as a powerful force in helping people with disabilities achieve their independence. CIL is the model for hundreds of Independent Living Centers throughout the U.S. and the world. 

What We Do:

CIL directly serves about 1000 individuals each year. Services include peer counseling, assistive technology consultation and training, employment services, travel training, a residential access program that provides simple equipment allowing seniors and people with disabilities to stay in their homes, systems change advocacy, work and benefits counseling, and a Living Well with a Disability curriculum that helps seniors with aging-related physical and mental disabilities remain productive, healthy and engaged. CIL's Information and Referral staff provide specialized, in-depth connections to resources to an additional 5000-6000 people a year. 

Our Guiding Principles: 

• Comprehensive programs most effectively meet the needs of people with disabilities 
• People with disabilities are the best experts on their lives 
• The strongest and most vibrant communities are those that include and embrace disability 

Summary:

This position requires a person with a pleasant disposition who can coordinate numerous tasks. It also requires handling a large number of incoming calls and receiving and referring consumers, visitors, and calls to appropriate CIL departments and numerous outside resources.

Essential Functions:

• Receive phone calls, video calls, and walk-in inquiries; operate telephone console, screen and refer calls, and take messages
• Receive and refer all clients, visitors and calls to appropriate departments, satellite offices, and/or individuals within the agency
• Information and Referral/Assistance:
• Receive and dispense information relevant to CIL and to the disability community, as well as the community at large via  CIL bulletin boards, TheCIL website calendar  and social media sites.
• Process incoming correspondence in which requests for informational materials appear
• Provide information and referrals to other community agencies, following up to ensure that community members have connected with appropriate resources
• Provide Informational tips to clients about how to use basic technology and/or assistive technology devices. Provide referrals to relevant  CIL departments and agencies for more in depth assistance, if needed.

Other Duties:

• Maintain and expand directory of local resources relevant to disability community
• Process daily incoming and outgoing mail, including using a postage machine.
• Create informational flyers and brochures for the CIL programs

• Other duties as assigned by  Supervisor

Education and/or Experience:

BA and/or one (1) year of experience in a social services agency at which the candidate had customer service and/or reception duties.

Qualifications:

• Excellent telephone skills, including advanced communication skills and a clear and confident speaking voice
• Ability to deal with hostile callers and visitors in a calm, professional, and courteous manner
• Experience dealing with the public, especially in a busy office environment.  Must work well under pressure
• Demonstrated experience in information and referral by utilizing community resources lists
• Experience with disability preferred
• Bilingual (ASL) and bi-cultural (Deaf Culture) experiences helpful

Physical Demands:

• Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.  
• Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information via telephone, email and in person with community members that visit CIL’s offices for appointments and information and referrals. 

Work Environment:  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

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How to Apply:

If you are interested in joining CIL’s team, please submit the following application materials to [email protected]

• A cover letter describing your interest in CIL and how your past experience has prepared you for this role
• Resume

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All job offers are contingent on passing a pre-employment background check.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Director of Operations at hr (@) thecil.org.

CIL Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity), national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation or status as a protected veteran. Persons with disabilities, veterans, women, and minorities are encouraged to apply.

CIL is an E-Verify participating employer.