Independent Living Coordinator

JOB SUMMARY

The Independent Living Coordinator (ILC) serves as an integral member of the Link Postsecondary Transition Program, advocating for accessibility and inclusion in the residential setting. Responsibilities include providing residential support, managing residential mentors, and facilitating classes that enhance independent living skills. The ILC is also responsible for implementing protocols and safety measures, and providing resources that contribute to a positive living experience. Additionally, the ILC participates in tasks that contribute to the overall success, engagement, and well-being of the Link students.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Director of Link

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Indirect Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but is not limited to the following:

• Personal and Community Expectations

• Maintain personal spiritual disciplines.

• Be a role model by living a mature Christian lifestyle and continually growing in Christ.

• Adhere faithfully to all university policies and maintain a lifestyle above reproach.

• Demonstrate compassion, professionalism, and respect while working with students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• Foster an inclusive environment that promotes dignity, independence, and student growth

• Administrative Expectations

• Operate a professional office by responding promptly to emails, phone calls, and student communications.

• Recruit, train, supervise, and support Independent Living Mentors.

• Coordinate mentor schedules, expectations, documentation, and ongoing development.

• Develop and maintain independent living curriculum, programming, and competency progression.

• Track and document student progress related to independent living competencies.

• Collaborate with University Housing staff regarding student accommodations, support needs, and residential concerns.

• Address student concerns through conflict mediation and problem-solving within residential settings.

• Assist students in developing individualized independent living goals and transition plans.

• Collaborate with Link Program staff to plan and implement student orientation, mentor training, and other program initiatives.

• Develop procedures, resources, and systems that improve the effectiveness of independent living programming.

• Participate in conferences, retreats, and professional development opportunities.

• Participate in prospective family visits and admissions-related events as needed.

• Communicate student concerns and significant updates to the Link Program Director in a timely manner.

• Meet regularly with the Link Program Director to review priorities, student progress, and departmental initiatives.

• Maintain and support University policies and procedures while exercising sound professional judgment.

• Participate fully in staff meetings, planning sessions, and collaborative program initiatives.

• Co-curricular/Educational Expectations

• Teach Link courses focused on independent living competencies.

• Provide engaging instruction in:

• Meal preparation and nutrition

• Laundry and clothing care

• Housekeeping and home maintenance

• Budgeting and personal finance

• Organization and time management

• Personal hygiene and self-care

• Health and wellness

• Transportation and community navigation

• Daily routines and personal responsibility

• Self-management and problem-solving skills

• Coordinate practical learning experiences through classroom, residential, and community-based instruction.

• Reinforce classroom instruction through experiential learning opportunities that promote increased independence.

• Support student transition planning related to housing and adult living.

• Participate in Link student events and activities that foster community engagement and student development.

• Responsibility to Students

• Be knowledgeable of all relevant University policies and procedures.

• Effectively articulate the mission and philosophy of Southeastern University and the Link Program.

• Create a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment where students can develop confidence and independence.

• Assess student strengths and needs and provide individualized support that promotes growth.

• Encourage self-advocacy, personal responsibility, and lifelong independent

living skills

ADDITIONAL/NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES

N/A

All remaining duties are considered "nonessential" within the context of the ADA, which means that the function could be reassigned to another employee in order to allow a disabled individual to hold the position. Alternatively, the manager could try to provide a reasonable accommodation so that the disabled individual could perform the function.

LOCATION

Lakeland Main Campus

EDUCATION

Required Education:

Bachelor's degree in Education, Special Education, Social Work, Leadership, Psychology, Counseling, Higher Education, Ministry, Human Services, or a related field.

Preferred Education:

Master's degree in Education, Special Education, Social Work, Leadership, Psychology, Counseling, Higher Education, Ministry, Human Services, or a related field.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

N/A

EXPERIENCE

Required:

Minimum of one (1) year of experience working with college students, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, student development, independent living instruction, residential life, or a related field.

Preferred:

At least three (3) years of experience working with college students, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, student development, independent living instruction, residential life, or a related field.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Required:

Knowledge

• Christian Leadership & Discipleship: Deep understanding of Christian principles, spiritual disciplines, and Biblical teachings to model a mature lifestyle and guide others.
• Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD): Comprehensive knowledge of the unique needs, learning styles, and behavioral characteristics of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Higher Education & Campus Housing Operations: Familiarity with university policies, student housing environments, student judicial procedures, and campus safety protocols.
• CRLA Certification Standards: Knowledge of College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA) guidelines, peer mentor training standards, and curriculum implementation.
• Curriculum & Student Development Theory: Understanding of instructional design, lesson planning, and student development frameworks suitable for transitional or independent living programs.

Skills

• Supervision & Team Leadership: Proven ability to recruit, hire, train, evaluate, and provide ongoing support to peer/residential mentors.
• Effective Communication & Interpersonal Relations: Skill in adjusting communication styles to effectively engage and build trust with diverse populations, including students with IDD, university stakeholders, parents, and community members.
• Program Administration & Organization: Proficiency in managing daily office operations, scheduling, maintaining documentation, and handling timely communications via email and voicemail.
• Event Planning & Collaboration: Skill in coordinating multi-stakeholder events such as student/parent orientations, monthly residential activities, and prospective family visits.
• Marketing & Recruitment: Ability to develop promotional strategies, execute marketing tactics, and represent the program at college recruitment events to build visibility.
• Instruction & Classroom Management: Skill in teaching, adapting educational strategies to meet student needs, and facilitating co-curricular seminars or courses.

Abilities

• Ability to Live & Model Institutional Values: Ability to faithfully adhere to university policies and demonstrate a lifestyle that aligns with the institution's spiritual and ethical standards.
• Ability to Cultivate Inclusive & Safe Environments: Ability to foster a welcoming, secure, and supportive living and learning environment where students with diverse needs can thrive.
• Ability to Handle Crisis & Student Conduct Issues: Ability to remain calm, exercise sound judgment, and follow strict protocols when navigating student judicial matters or documented student emergencies.
• Ability to Work Collaboratively: Ability to establish strong, productive working relationships with Link Program staff, campus departments, and community partners.
• Ability to Maintain Confidentiality & Professionalism: Ability to handle sensitive student records, parental inquiries, and judicial reports with strict discretion and punctuality.

Preferred:

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment.

• This position is considered Non-Essential for the purposes of Emergency Response. However, Link Program staff may be required to assist with the safety and security of students on campus during emergency situations.

Physical Requirements:

Mobility & Navigation: Ability to regularly walk, stand, and move across campus, including navigating multi-story residence halls that may or may not have elevator access to conduct regular housing "rounds" and safety checks.

Stamina: Ability to maintain a high level of energy and physical stamina during extended workdays, which may include evening or weekend student orientations, recruitment events, and community activities.

Lifting & Carrying: Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull lightweight office materials, marketing displays, or event equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.

Sedentary Duties: Ability to sit for extended periods to perform administrative tasks, update documentation, answer emails, and conduct virtual or in-person meetings.

Communication & Sensory: Sufficient clarity of speech and auditory abilities to effectively communicate, lecture, and actively listen during classes, orientation presentations, and student counseling sessions. Fine motor skills required to operate standard office machinery and computers.

Travel:

Negligible - 5%

Schedule:

Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm

TRAINING

All new hires and employees transferring into a new position will have a 90-day probationary period within which to learn the functions of the job and to be evaluated. Following the probationary period, the employee can transition to regular status, have the probationary period extended in order to receive more training, or employment can be terminated. Required compliance training is as follows:

Six months to one year to perform all job-related duties with minimum

supervision.

FERPA

Title IX

Cybersecurity

Incident Response

SAFETY

• SEU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment.
• Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management.
• Work-related injuries must be immediately reported to Security and Human Resources. When life or limb are at risk, please dial 911. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources within 24 hours of the incident.
• Emergency Employees report for or must remain at work in emergency situations. Dismissal or closure announcements do not apply to this position, unless instructed otherwise by your direct supervisor or a member of the Leadership Team.

SCREENING

All full-time positions at SEU are deemed security-sensitive and require background checks. Employees required to drive their own personal vehicle, a rental car or an SEU vehicle in performance of their duties must pass an MVR records check and meet the requirements of the University's insurance carrier in order to meet the requirements of the position.

DISCLAIMER

SEU is an at-will employer. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

SEU is committed to providing a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. All forms of discrimination against or harassment of a person because of his or her identification within a protected category are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition applies equally to conduct by and against employees, vendors, visitors, and students.

Southeastern University is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. The equal opportunity policy will apply in University programs and activities, and all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. All employees of Southeastern University, by continued employment, agree to abide by the policies contained in the Employee Handbook and in the SEU Mission, Vision, Statement of Faith and Community Covenant.