Disability Peer Advocate

Job Title:            Disability Peer Advocate
Reports To:        BCIL Director Of Services
Location:            Boston/Downtown Crossing

Position Overview: BCIL, a non-profit, in Boston is seeking an individual who identifies as a person with a disability who has excellent customer services skills, communication and listening skills. The Disability Peer Advocate provides peer mentoring, skills training, advocacy, information & referral, and other supportive services to people with disabilities who are motivated to live more independently. This position will have the opportunity to participate in systemic advocacy activities as prioritized by their supervisor.

The Boston Center for Independent Living is a frontline civil rights organization led by people with disabilities that advocates to eliminate discrimination, isolation, and segregation by providing advocacy, information and referral, peer support, skills training, PCA services, and transitional services to enhance the independence of people with disabilities.

As an organization, we commit to making all aspects of our work antiracist, not only because it is just but because it is necessary to serve our community of people with disabilities. We commit to purposefully identify, discuss, and challenge issues of race and ethnicity, and the impacts they have on our organization, our work, and our people.

BCIL serves a very diverse clientele and our staff reflect much of that diversity. People with disabilities, people of color and those who speak another language are encouraged to apply for positions. All applicants are welcome.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Works with consumers to help them assess their personal independent living needs and develop independent living service plans (ILSPs).
• Provides consumers with skills training, peer mentoring in self-advocacy, and information & referral services, individually or in groups.
• Arranges to meet with consumers at the BCIL office, or, when the consumer is unable to travel, arranges to meet at other mutually agreed upon locations within the BCIL service area.
• Assists in coordination of services with other agencies and BCIL staff members.

• Engages in community outreach and systems advocacy efforts to help promote agency goals.
• Documents all activities according to accepted BCIL standards and timelines, utilizing WILD.
• Actively participates in:
  • monthly staff meetings (all-staff, direct services and case conference), and other mandatory meetings as instructed.
  • on-going training opportunities (mandatory and optional) to ensure up-to-date knowledge of federal, state, and municipal government benefits and regulations, as well as community resources.
  • weekly or bi-weekly supervision, coming prepared to discuss successes, challenges, productivity, documentation, and professional development goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Desired Qualifications:

• Must identify as a person with a disability.
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities in an independent living setting, a plus.
• Bilingual skills in languages used by consumers are a plus. (Vietnamese, Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Cape Verdean Creole).
• Ability to take direction and follow through on assigned tasks and manage time effectively.
• Flexibility and the ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team.
• Ability to model clear professional boundaries, social skills, and work etiquette.
• Ability to travel throughout BCIL service area (driver’s license not required).
• Strong communication skills (expressive, receptive, and written).

Equipment Operated:

Computers, copier, scanner, Microsoft Office, printer, and other office equipment/programs.

Working Environment:

Office area is a shared workspace divided by cubicles. Verbal communication can be heard from other staff in adjoining cubicles. Staff are required to submit Covid vaccine card or provide weekly negative covid test. Position requires both in-office and remote work per BCIL protocols and includes seeing consumers in person.

 Hours: 40 Hours – Full Time

 Benefits:

• 2 weeks paid vacation (increases with length of service)
• 2 personal days
• 13 holidays
• 12 sick days
• Health, dental, vision (75% paid by agency).  Short-term disability, long-term disability, group life insurance 100% company paid.
• Optional FSA medical and dependent care accounts, critical care insurance and additional life insurance available (employee paid).
• 403(B) retirement plans available.

Salary:  $44,000 annually (language differential available for languages used by consumers)

How to apply: Email both cover letter and resume to:  BCILemployment@bostoncil.org

BCIL is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  Reasonable accommodation is provided as needed for employees and other affiliates.  Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE) checks are part of BCIL’s standard procedure.

8/2023