A Launch Year in Human and Disability Services in the beautiful, Hudson Valley, NY
Full-time, residential, salaried position. Includes room & board and health benefits.
A 1-2 year experience of providing leadership and service to others while gaining invaluable professional experience in Human and Disability Services.
Through our RamaYear program, recent college graduates devote a year or two of their early careers to an immersive, residential, year-round service experience on our Rhinebeck, NY campus. At Ramapo, many RamaYears work in our Staff Assistant Experience program, a residential transition-to-independence program for young adults with disabilities. RamaYears spend their days working directly with program participants to help them gain the skills necessary to move on to college, employment, and/or independent living. This is a full-time, residential position involving shifts 5 days/week that could be from either 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. or 2 p.m. – 10 p.m. on weekdays and/or weekends.
Start Date: January 4, 2023 (exact date is flexible)
Responsibilities:
● Use the Ramapo Approach to address young adults’ unmet needs and help participants improve lagging social, emotional, independent living, and job skills
● Help ensure the health and safety of program participants
● Steward participants through each day and evening by building positive relationships with participants, modeling appropriate behaviors, communicating clear expectations, holding Staff Assistants accountable for following program structures and routines, adapting activities and experiences for individual needs, and responding to issues which arise
● Teach appropriate social skills by initiating conversations and interactions and helping participants to engage in productive conversations and interactions with other community members during work experiences, meals, breaks, recreational activities, and “down time”
● Teach independent living skills through intentional role modeling of professional behaviors (punctuality, appropriate dress/appearance, following a schedule, time management, organization, etc.), providing 1:1 and small group coaching (helping young adults organize their rooms, do laundry, develop budgets, etc.), and developing individualized supports (such as checklists, visuals, written instructions)
● Facilitate skill-building and educational workshops for participants
● Teach job skills by orienting Staff Assistants to tasks on campus (organic gardening, farm animal care, teambuilding retreats, food service, maintenance, housekeeping, sales/retail, clerical support, camp counseling/youth recreation, etc.) and at local volunteer sites (food pantries, libraries, animal shelters, etc.) and working alongside Staff Assistants to complete tasks accurately and in a timely manner
● Help organize, lead, and supervise on- and off-campus recreation activities and transport participants to off-campus activities or perform errands to obtain supplies/materials using a Ramapo vehicle.
What You'll Gain:
● A foundation for careers in Human Services, such as Social Work, Special Education, and Occupational Therapy
● Access to Ramapo’s professional network that includes year-round staff members, staff alumni, and board members in related fields
● Intensive, hands-on experience with young adults with disabilities
● Exceptional facilitation, coaching, and relationship-building skills
Qualifications:
● Undergraduate degree in a related field, or interest in pursuing education in a related field
● Ability to live in residence on Ramapo’s Rhinebeck, NY campus for 12-17 months
● Outstanding interpersonal (relationship-building) skills
● Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
● Motivation and interest in Ramapo’s mission
● Experience in youth development, special education, community development, and/or adventure education is a plus
● AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.