Job Description

BDI is developing a Community-Based Independent Living initiative designed to support adults who desire to live more independently while having access to individualized, person-centered supports. Participants live in their own apartments within an inclusive community and receive support focused on independence, life skills, employment, community engagement, and connection to BDI and community resources.

The Resident Program Advisor (RPA) is an onsite BDI professional who serves as a consistent resource, coach, connector, and community builder for participating residents. The RPA supports residents in developing and maintaining individualized Independent Living Plans (ILPs), building practical skills, accessing services and resources, navigating challenges, and becoming meaningfully connected to the broader community.

Because many residents may work, attend school, or participate in day programs during traditional weekday hours, this role requires significant schedule flexibility, including regular evening and weekend availability. The RPA is required to reside onsite within the designated apartment community.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Resident Support and Individualized Planning:

• Build positive, professional, person-centered relationships with participating residents while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Work with each resident to develop, implement, and periodically review an individualized Independent Living Plan (ILP) based on the resident’s goals, strengths, preferences, and support needs.
• Conduct scheduled individual check-ins and provide coaching, encouragement, problem-solving support, and follow-up related to ILP goals.
• Help residents establish routines and develop skills that promote successful independent living, self-advocacy, choice, and personal responsibility.
• Recognize changes in resident circumstances or support needs and coordinate appropriate follow-up or referral within the scope of the role.
• Maintain accurate resident documentation, progress notes, activity records, incident documentation, and program reporting as required.

Independent Living Skills and Service Coordination:

• Provide coaching and coordinate learning opportunities related to budgeting, meal planning, household management, organization, time management, communication, transportation, community navigation, self-advocacy, and other independent living skills.
• Facilitate individual and group workshops or activities based on resident needs and interests.
• Connect residents, as appropriate, with BDI services such as Employment Services, Benefits Navigation, Counseling, and other available supports.
• Connect residents with external community resources and service providers when needs fall outside BDI services or the scope of the RPA role.
• Support residents in identifying employment, education, volunteer, recreational, wellness, and other meaningful community opportunities.
• Communicate and collaborate with families or other members of a resident’s support network when authorized by the resident and appropriate.

Community Inclusion and Engagement:

• Develop and coordinate inclusive social, recreational, educational, wellness, and community-building activities that encourage meaningful connection and belonging.
• Create opportunities for participating residents to engage naturally with other residents of the apartment community and the broader community.
• Maintain a regular calendar of engagement opportunities, including activities during evenings and weekends when residents are most likely to participate.
• Encourage participation while respecting individual preferences, choices, interests, and levels of desired engagement.
• Collaborate with apartment management, residents, BDI staff, community organizations, volunteers, and partners to support inclusive events and activities.
• Represent and support BDI at resident activities, community events, outreach events, and other program-related activities as needed.

Safety, Resident Concerns, and Program Operations:

• Educate residents on established safety procedures, emergency resources, community expectations, and appropriate use of emergency services.
• Serve as an onsite resource during established working hours and any assigned on-call periods, following BDI protocols for escalation and response.
• Assess concerns and appropriately connect or escalate to BDI leadership, property management, 911, crisis services, families/support persons, or other resources according to established procedures.
• Complete required incident documentation and participate in appropriate follow-up.
• Maintain clear professional boundaries and recognize situations requiring clinical, medical, behavioral, legal, property-management, or emergency expertise beyond the RPA role.
• Support continuous program improvement by sharing resident feedback, identifying emerging needs, and contributing to the development of procedures, activities, and service approaches.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, rehabilitation, human services, education, disability services, recreation, community development, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with adults with disabilities, independent living programs, residential services, community-based programs, case management, employment services, education, or a related field.
• Experience supporting neurodiverse adults and/or adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities preferred.
• Experience developing individualized plans, facilitating groups or workshops, coordinating community activities, or connecting individuals to services and resources preferred.
• Experience with crisis prevention, de-escalation, CPR/First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, or similar training preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong understanding of person-centered practices and the importance of choice, dignity, self-determination, inclusion, and independence.
• Ability to coach and support residents without creating unnecessary dependence or providing services outside the scope of the role.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with residents, families, colleagues, property staff, and community partners.
• Patient, positive, outgoing, and energetic, with a genuine interest in engaging residents, building relationships, and creating a welcoming and inclusive community.
• Strong judgment, problem-solving, organizational, documentation, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a multidisciplinary team and external partners.
• Ability to build community, facilitate activities, and engage individuals with different interests, communication styles, and levels of social participation.
• Knowledge of employment, benefits, transportation, housing, disability, and community resources preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability and willingness to maintain a highly flexible schedule, including regular evenings and weekends, based on resident and program needs.
• Ability and willingness to reside onsite within the designated apartment community.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed primarily within the designated apartment community, resident common areas, BDI locations, and community-based settings.
• The position requires active engagement with residents and community partners and may involve local travel for resident activities, meetings, services, and community events.
• The RPA is required to reside onsite within the designated apartment community as a condition of the position.
• Onsite residency does not mean the RPA is working or available 24 hours per day. BDI will establish office hours, on-call expectations, emergency protocols, backup coverage, time-off procedures, and appropriate boundaries for after-hours contact.

POSITION TYPE / EXPECTED HOURS

This is a full-time position requiring a minimum 37.5 hour work week. This is not a traditional Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. position. The schedule must remain highly flexible and responsive to resident and program needs. Regular office hours will include a combination of daytime, evening, and weekend hours because many residents may be working, attending school, or participating in day programs during weekday daytime hours. The RPA may also participate in an established after-hours/on-call structure as determined by BDI. Schedule adjustments will be made in accordance with BDI policy and applicable employment requirements.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Routine local travel may be required to BDI locations, community events, service providers, employment or educational settings, and other locations related to resident goals and program activities.

COMPENSATION AND ONSITE HOUSING BENEFIT

• Salary Range: $50,000–$60,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Onsite Housing Benefit: During the Proof of Concept, BDI will provide a 100% subsidized onsite apartment/unit as a benefit of the position, as onsite residency is required.
• Housing Terms: The employee will be responsible for utilities, including electricity, internet/cable, and other personal household expenses, as applicable. Specific utility responsibilities, occupancy requirements, and other housing conditions will be outlined in a separate housing agreement.
• Housing arrangements following separation from employment will be addressed in a separate agreement.
• The onsite housing benefit does not create an expectation of 24/7 work or availability.
• Compensation and benefits will be administered in accordance with BDI policies and practices.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities required of the position. Duties and responsibilities may change based on operational and programmatic needs. The employee may be asked to perform other duties as assigned, including support for community engagement activities, events, outreach, and other needs of the Community-Based Independent Living initiative.

Nothing in this job description should be construed as a contract of employment or guarantee of continued employment.

Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.