The Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Inc. (SANYS) is a not-for profit, grassroots organization run by and for people with developmental disabilities. Our goal is to help create a person-centered and person-directed system of supports. To further this goal, the SANYS executive board and delegated staff members support self-advocates and self-advocacy groups regionally and statewide. SANYS encourages self-advocates to speak for themselves individually and collectively. What We Do

• We help set up local Self-Advocacy chapters, re-energize existing groups, and share information on local and national Self-Advocacy issues.
• The voting members of our board of directors are self-advocates and are expected to represent self-advocates within their regions. Regional staff provide them any support necessary to do so.
• Members offer presentations which stress that no community is complete unless everyone is provided the opportunity to be involved. We speak to community groups, schools, faith organizations, and agency boards of directors.
• We provide training and support for Self-Direction. Discover a new way to create and support lives of choice.

Description: The Regional coordinator position at SANYS is a supervisory position. The Regional Coordinator is responsible for coordinating and reporting upon all SANYS activities within their region as directed by the Administrative Director. The Regional Coordinator engages with varied regional stakeholders: self-advocates, family members, service providers as well as varied government employees and representatives.   The nature of the work is highly collaborative.   Supporting self-advocates is the key function of the Regional Coordinator. Assisting self-advocates and groups to function effectively in their communities.   Also, building the capacity of SANYS to better serve and represent the regional and statewide interests of self-advocates. Responsibilities:

• Maintain a 40 Hour per week flexible schedule.
• Oversight and administrative reporting for SANYS activities within the 5 counties of the lower Hudson Valley (Westchester, Putnam, Rockland Orange and Sullivan).
• Support Regional SANYS board members, grass-roots presenters and self-advocates to promote self-advocacy groups within the lower Hudson Valley.
• Supervise grass roots presenters, organizers, field assistants as assigned within the region.
• Assist SANYS board members, grass-roots presenters and self-advocates to facilitate self-advocacy meetings.
• Promote SANYS initiatives within region.
• Have a basic understanding of regional projects. Have clear understanding of projects you are working on with support from direct supervisor.
• Be self-directed; take initiative under the guidance of the Administrative Director.
• Preparing and maintaining schedules, calendars, collecting, preparing and submitting time sheets , messages, event-prep, filing, copies, data entry, preparation and timely submission of monthly coordinator reports, faxes, phones, newsletters, and articles, fundraising, grant writing-work, work and support events as requested and outreach, etc.
• Work to support self-advocacy leadership (our core group of individuals with developmental disabilities) with direction from Board Members and Regional Coordinator.
• Must be able to provide transportation to advocates to venues throughout the region, as necessary at the discretion of the Administrative Director.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 2 Years of experience working with people with developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of computers, document development and presentation materials.
• Have a valid NYS driver’s license and own transportation.
• Must pass a criminal background check and be fingerprinted.
• Commit to 40 hours per week (flexible schedule) either in the office or working to support self-advocates in the field (various locations across the lower Hudson Valley). Expect to work additional hours during conferences and quality assurance projects.
• Be proficient in incident reporting. Report all incidents immediately and directly to Supervisor (Coordinator) or to Administrative Director of SANYS, or Statewide Advisor in the absence of afore mentioned staff.

Expectations:

• Honor and support the leadership of self-advocates at all times.
• Promote the visibility and success of self-advocates within their region.
• Accept direction from immediate supervisor, Administrative Director, Board Members, and Board Advisors, when applicable.
• A high degree of professionalism will be maintained when representing SANYS during hours of employment.
• Work hours should be used for the sole purpose of SANYS and its mission.
• Share self-advocacy office space and supplies with volunteers, advocates field representatives.
• Be Respectful of all colleagues, Board Members Advisors and others you interact when representing SANYS.

Please direct questions and resumes to: cgilchrist@sanys.org