Be part of the movement! 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 groups, 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 communities, people served by and employed by provider agencies, and agency boards of directors.

  • We provide training and support for Self-Direction. Discover a new way to create and support lives of choice.

Responsibilities:

  • Maintain 40 Hours per week flexible schedule.

  • Support Regional SANYS board members, grass-roots presenters and self-advocates to promote self-advocacy groups within the 20 county Central 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 Regional Coordinator.

  • Assist the Regional Coordinator with maintenance of the following duties: schedules, calendars, collecting and preparing timesheets for coordinator’s signature, messages, event-prep, filing, copies, data entry, preparation of activity forms for coordinator reports, faxes, meetings if applicable, phones, newsletters, and articles, fundraising, grant writing-work, organize 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 requested by Regional Coordinator.

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 a minimum of 40 hours per week (flexible schedule) either in the office or working to support self-advocates in the field (various locations across Central NY, including the North Country and Southern Tier). 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, and field representatives.

  • Be Respectful of all colleagues, board members, advisors and others you interact when representing SANYS.

To apply, send your resume to: employment@sanys.org