Life Skills Coach
About this role
POSITION SUMMARY
The Life Skills Coach is a direct support professional responsible for assisting adult individuals served who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in achieving meaningful community integration and personal growth.
This role supports individuals served in developing social connections, participating in community activities, and expanding recreational and leisure interests. The Life Skills Coach promotes choice, independence, and self-determination while fostering a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment.
QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or equivalent required; coursework or degree in social sciences or a related field preferred
- Experience working with adult individuals served with IDD preferred
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and build supportive relationships
- Understanding of the social, emotional, and physical needs of individuals served
- Ability to perform job duties with or without reasonable accommodation
- Basic knowledge of meal planning and food preparation
- Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and insurability under agency policy
- Basic computer proficiency
- Ability to support and promote the principles of self-determination
- Willingness to work evenings and occasional weekends
REQUIREMENTS
- Support individuals served in participating in social, recreational, and community-based activities
- Assist individuals served in developing and maintaining meaningful relationships and community connections
- Provide coaching and support to enhance socialization and independent living skills
- Encourage individuals served to explore personal interests and participate in preferred activities
- Serve as a positive role model and advocate for individuals served in community settings
- Provide transportation to and from designated meeting locations, as needed
- Assist individuals served with skill-building in recreational and leisure activities based on their preferences
- Represent the organization professionally within the community
BEHAVIORAL AND WORK EXPECTATIONS
- Maintain reliable attendance and punctuality
- Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in daily routines
- Work independently and follow through on assigned responsibilities
- Exhibit strong organizational and problem-solving skills
- Communicate effectively with individuals served, team members, and supervisors
- Respond appropriately to emergencies and ensure a safe environment
- Exercise sound judgment in all work situations
- Demonstrate professionalism, stability, and appropriate workplace behavior
- Support the organization’s values and commitment to improving the quality of life for individuals served
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to communicate effectively in person and in writing
- Ability to observe, assess, and respond to the environment
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and perform physical tasks throughout the shift
- Ability to navigate a variety of indoor and outdoor environments
- Ability to lift, assist, and support individuals served as needed in accordance with training
- Ability to tolerate varying weather conditions
- Sufficient stamina to support activities of daily living (ADLs) and personal care tasks
Tuesday - 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday - 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday - 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Company at a glance
Thresholds provides healthcare, housing, and hope for thousands of persons with mental health and substance use conditions in Illinois each year. Through care, employment, advocacy, and housing, Thresholds assists and inspires people to reclaim their lives.
Thresholds is one of the oldest and largest providers of recovery services for persons with mental health and substance use conditions in Illinois. We offer 30 innovative programs at more than 75 locations throughout Chicago, the adjacent suburbs, and four surrounding counties. Services include assertive outreach, case management, housing, employment, education, psychiatry, primary care, substance use treatment, and research.
Thresholds’ staff meets people where they are – out in the community. Offering services in a community-based setting makes them more accessible and effective and lessens the social exclusion that is often present in the lives of persons living with mental illnesses and substance use conditions. This allows our staff and clients to work on skills, clinical interventions, and recovery that allows them to live independent lives in their own neighborhoods
Our clients are all unique – coming from vastly different backgrounds and arriving with different needs, talents, and hopes. Each client works with our staff to set their own specific short-term goals and objectives, based on their needs, desires, and level of self-sufficiency. Recovery from mental illnesses and substance use is possible. Recovery is a process of finding and living a satisfying and meaningful life, as one defines it for oneself. We assist our clients as they work to reclaim a positive sense of self, and discover their own potential, gifts, and skills.
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