Lutheran Social Services of Southern California began in December 1944 when a group of Lutheran congregations in San Diego came together to discuss how to better assist families in need. They began discussing how to form a Welfare Commission. Their vision expanded when they came together with another group of Lutheran congregations in Los Angeles having the very same conversation. Lutheran Social Services of Southern California was officially incorporated in 1946 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit social service agency. The mission has stayed true to its earliest beginnings, to be a servant to those in need. Today LSSSC serves thousands of individuals and families throughout Southern California with over 70 different programs/services at nearly 20 different locations. We are part of the Lutheran Services in America (LSA) network and strive to serve those in need with dignity and respect.
Lutheran Social Services of Southern California’s Mission: Ignited by faith, we live out God’s love by embracing, equipping, and empowering vulnerable individuals, families, and communities toward self-sufficiency.
Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the DSP/ASL Specialist assist program participants to engage in activities of their choice that will enhance the quality of their life and assist them in acquiring skills that will help them to be more fully integrated into the community. As the DSP/ASL Specialist, the role is to facilitate communication with participants and staff by using sign language as method of communication and support both staff/participants by utilizing basic ASL. While the role holds dual responsibility, primary role will be to utilize ASL to support overall communication and understanding for staff and participants served.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Competencies: To perform the job successfully, DSP/ASL Specialist candidate should demonstrate the following competencies:
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements written below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: A High school graduate with at least five years of experience with ASL and some experience with working with individuals with intellectual or and developmental disabilities or B.A. Degree with two years of experience utilizing ASL at proficient level plus some experience with working with DDS population or experience in taking care of family member with special needs or training.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
MATH SKILLS: Ability to add and subtract two digits numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.
REASONING SKILLS: Ability to apply common sense understanding to conduct detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
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 the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Lutheran Social Services of Southern California has a legacy of meeting the needs of the vulnerable in our communities since 1946. We unite with individuals, churches, businesses, civic leaders, government agencies and other stakeholders for one goal; breaking the cycle of poverty one family at a time.
Lutheran Social Services of Southern California has committed itself to serving and loving its neighbors through three key philosophies. They are to embrace those in crisis with short-term, emergency services, to equip individuals and families with program resources to help them on their journey, and to empower people to break the cycle of poverty, live with dignity, and become self-sufficient. Where we find ourselves blessed, be it in economy, be it in time, or be it in resources, we should look to help the next person who may be in need of blessing.
For nearly 75 years, our non-profit social services agency also known as LSS Southern California has served the community by fostering humanitarian efforts and goodwill and has grown into a flourishing organization of faithful, dedicated, passionate volunteers and employees.
