About CIL
Founded in 1972, the Center for Independent Living (CIL) was the first independent living center in the U.S.
Led by and for people with disabilities, CIL has been at the forefront of disability advocacy, contributing to landmark legislation like the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA. We provide essential services such as advocacy, housing assistance, and assistive technology, and have expanded to include Residential Access, Emergency Preparedness, Benefits Counseling, and Youth Programs.
CIL continues to be a model for over 400 independent living centers nationwide and in 20 countries, supporting diverse disabilities, promoting independence, and forging a path towards a more inclusive and just society with Access For All.
About the role
At The Center for Independent Living (CIL), we believe in empowering older adults to live with dignity, independence, and vibrant connections. As the Senior & Aging Engagement Coordinator, you’ll play a pivotal role in leading our Older Adult Program, working 1-on-1 with older adults to navigate resources, acquire information and referrals, and work towards goals for aging well.
In this role, you’ll facilitate several 10-week Living Well with a Disability workshop series at local community centers and lead a weekly peer support group for older adults. This is a unique opportunity to shape and grow CIL’s Older Adult Program by designing creative, community-focused initiatives and building innovative partnerships. You will also work closely with a dedicated team committed to making a positive impact in the lives of older adults and people with disabilities.
Essential Job Functions:
- Deliver effective, interactive “Living Well with a Disability” workshops that empower participants in managing their health, wellness, social connections, and overall quality of life as they grow older.
- Facilitate weekly peer support groups for older adults to connect with one another and discuss topics that are important to them, including mental and emotional health, family, acquiring (or aging into) disability, and more. Lead dynamic and supportive peer groups that empower older adults to thrive, create meaningful connections, encourage open dialogue on topics like, mental and emotional health, family, acquiring (or aging into) disability.
- Outreach and promote workshops to key community centers, including senior centers, libraries, supported living facilities, and more innovative approaches to engaging and empowering seniors.
- Build strong and reciprocal relationships with organizations (non-profit, social services, and grassroots groups) providing Aging and Adult Services in Northern Alameda County.
- Craft engaging, tailored workshops that meet the needs of diverse participants, and create new innovative activities. Ensure modules outside of the “Living Well with a Disability” curriculum are meeting stated and unstated needs of the communities we serve.
- Collect participant information pre-workshop, and collect participant evaluations and feedback after each workshop.
- Maintain comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of important community resources for older adults, including food, housing, and legal advocacy resources, health and mental health resources, benefits resources, technology and computer skills training resources, and more.
- Provide high-quality 1-on-1 direct services and referrals for older adults. Complete intakes, engage in goal-setting, and create Independent Living Plans.
- Lead ‘Older Adult Working Group’ within CIL, made up of CIL Staff who regularly work with older adults, to meet monthly and case counsel on challenging situations, ask questions, and share new community resources.
- Collaborate closely with CIL’s Youth Program to create innovative and unique opportunities for intergenerational connection, mutual support, and mentorship between young people with disabilities and older adults.
- Collaborate closely with CIL’s Digital Divide Program to ensure older adults have access to computer and Internet skills, training on basic and emerging technology, and other resources that help close the “digital divide”
- Collaborate closely with CIL’s Vocational Program to create diverse and meaningful workforce development, volunteer, and internship opportunities for older adults.
- Attend outreach and tabling events on behalf of CIL, especially those related to aging and older adults.
Preferred Qualifications and Experience:
- Able to articulate their own life purpose and how their life story demonstrates living out that purpose
- Experience facilitating, managing and engaging in a group
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills exhibited by the ability to effectively and efficiently present information
- Enthusiastic about engaging and inspiring individuals to discover their purpose
- Have the ability and willingness to interject personal stories and experiences into workshop dialogue and elicit stories and experiences from others
- At least 1 year of experience teaching in classroom-style environments, leading workshops, or equivalent experiences with group education/facilitation
- Experience in program coordination and/or program development
- Experience writing curricula for and working with people with disabilities and/or older adults
- Experience in trauma-informed care, Mental Health First Aid, and/or strengths-based approaches
- Commitment to anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ liberation, gender and economic justice, and anti-ableism; a familiarity with,or willingness to engage in, Disability Justice frameworks and principles and apply them to Youth Outreach work
- Excellent listening and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge and ability to use questioning as a means to encourage discovery within individuals
- Flexibility and willingness to travel within Northern Alameda County
Required Qualifications:
- Excellent public speaking, group facilitation, and written communication skills
- Knowledge and experience with computer use, including Microsoft Office and Google Suite
- Experience working with individuals with disabilities and/or older adults
- Have completed (or would be willing to complete) the “Living Well with a Disability” training and received certification
We’re looking for someone who is passionate about serving older adults, has a knack for facilitation and program development, and thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. If you meet most but not all of the qualifications, we still encourage you to apply!
Physical Demands:
- Ability to lift 10 pounds
- Travel to senior centers and other agencies and organizations multiple times per week
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
A NOTE TO POTENTIAL CANDIDATES:
Studies have shown that BIPOC and other people from marginalized groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all the qualifications described in the job description. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse work experiences and backgrounds. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in this position, and what you hope to bring to this role.
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HOW TO APPLY:
If you are interested in joining CIL’s team, please submit the following application materials:
- 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 reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Hiring team at hiring (@) 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.