Description JOB TITLE: Community Navigator (Full-Time) REPORTS TO: Program Director SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday (9:00am-6:00pm, may vary slightly site to site) LOCATION: Long Beach Center - Long Beach, CA STATUS: Full-Time, 40 hrs/wk, Exempt DRIVER POSITION: Yes [ If yes, see driving policy below] SALARY RANGE: $22.00 - $23.00/hr
ABOUT US:
At AbilityFirst, we are dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities achieve their personal best. AbilityFirst supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families, with programs that foster fun and fulfillment. AbilityFirst programs are person-centered and tailored to individual interests and needs. They are grounded in individual choice, autonomy, community participation, with a focus on creating social connections and a sense of belonging.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Community Navigator is responsible for providing person-centered planning, case management, intake coordination, and community engagement services for participants. This role requires strong collaboration with program staff, regional center service coordinators, and families to ensure participants receive individualized, meaningful services aligned with their goals. The Community Navigator in our licensed programs must be Director Qualified per community care licensing regulations and plays a key role in documentation, goal planning, programming integration, and community outreach. In the absence of the Program Director, the Community Navigator is designated as an authorized person to correct operational deficiencies that constitute immediate threats to participant’s health and safety.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Person-Centered Planning & Documentation
- Attend required 2-day Person-Centered Thinking training.
- Conduct screenings, phone calls and intake meetings as the first level of the intake process.
- Person Center Documentation:
- 30-day reports, annual assessments, progress reports, and exit reports.
- Development and implementation of Person-Centered Plans (PCPs) and 1-page descriptions.
- Ongoing goal development and daily goal documentation.
- Update annual forms/documentation (emergency contacts, consent forms, seizure plans, personal rights, etc.).
Regional Center Collaboration
- Serve as a liaison to Regional Center Service Coordinators.
- Attend IPP (Individual Program Plan) meetings.
- Submit progress (every 6 months) and annual reports (within their first 30 days and ongoing during their birth date month) as required.
- Submit licensing waivers for appropriate program participants (18–22 in ASP programs).
- Prepare and provide requested audit documentation related to participant files if and when asked by regional centers.
Program Support
- Meet with each participant at least once per month to review goals, satisfaction, and placement.
- Collaborate with community coaches to ensure goals are implemented in daily programming.
- Facilitate support meetings with participants, their support team, and individuals they invite.
- Partner with program supervisor and program directors to coordinate community outings and volunteer activities.
- Update individual goal documentation monthly.
Community Engagement & Outreach
- Represent AbilityFirst at resource fairs and engaging the public.
- Identify, vet, and initiate volunteer opportunities aligned with participants' interests and goals.
- Coordinate with coaches and volunteers to support successful placements.
- Assist in the collection of quarterly family and participant surveys.
ProCare & Data Entry
- Input and maintain participant data in ProCare, including new enrollments, discharges, and demographic updates.
- Ensure records are accurate and up to date for internal tracking and billing.
General Duties & Safety
- Step into program ratios as needed in the event of staff shortages - not as a planned part of daily ratio coverage, which may include assisting with personal care items such as diapering, toileting, and feeding.
- Trained in the following: PCP, workers’ compensation protocols, opening/closing procedures, licensing compliance for licensed programs, and attendance and/or data management software.
Other Duties
- Uphold our commitment as a Mandated Reporter, ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants.
- Complete all required staff training assigned each quarter.
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission of the program and organization.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
- A High School diploma or equivalent is required.
- Bilingual in Spanish and English (spoken and written) is required.
- Familiarity with regional center processes, reports, and compliance is preferred.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
- Skilled in Microsoft Office and data management tools is required.
- A valid driver’s license is required.
- Ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment is required.
- Strong understanding of person-centered practices, goal setting, and community integration is preferred.
- Must be able to work evenings/weekends as needed.
- Successful completion of a background (LiveScan) check.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Changes in the environment, such as the office or outdoors.
- Physical effort/lifting up to 50 pounds at times.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
Mandated Reporting Requirements: The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment. Senate Bill No. 792 amended Sections 1597.055 and 1597.54 of, and added Sections 1596.7995 and 1597.622 to, the Health and Safety Code, relating to day care facilities. This requires that all employees working in day care facilities be vaccinated for Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Measles and Influenza. On an annual basis you are required to show proof that you have received the flu vaccine or complete the Employee Certification of Declining Vaccination. AbilityFirst encourages all employees to get vaccinated against the flu, if a doctor has said it is safe for you to do so. Candidates selected for this position will be required to successfully complete the following as a condition of employment:
- TB Test
- Live Scan (fingerprinting/background check)
- Drug Screening
- Required vaccinations: Hepatitis B, TDaP, and MMR
- Physical / fitness-for-duty clearance
Driver Positions:
Applicants are required to provide a copy of their driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with a copy of their valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Job offers are contingent upon a satisfactory driving record. Examples of an unsatisfactory driving record include:
- Suspended or revoked license
- Three or more moving violations in the past 36 months
- Any violations, including drugs, alcohol, controlled substances, within the past 24 months
- Reckless driving, including hit and runs, within the past 24 months
- At fault accidents, resulting in fatality or serious injury, within the past 5 years
The motor vehicle record will need to include a review of all states listed on the individual's employment application and resume. See instructions on obtaining your driving record below:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/customer-service/request-vehicle-or-driver-records/online-driver-record-request/
For driver positions, driving is an essential job function and cannot be reasonably accommodated, employment may be discontinued.
NOTE: All staff members will be considered introductory employees for the first three months of employment and will not be considered regular employees until the conclusion of this period. Ability First reserves the right to extend an employee’s introductory period. In no way does the expiration of this introductory period change the fact that all employees are at-will. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to orient the employee and to communicate the expectations of the supervisor and Ability First, as well as to evaluate whether the employee has the necessary level of skill, job knowledge, motivation, and attitude to become a regular member of the Ability First staff. New employees are also encouraged to seek guidance and assistance during this period. Employees who fail to demonstrate the expected commitment, performance and attitude may be terminated at any time during the introductory period. However, completion of the introductory period does not change or alter the “at-will” employment status. Employees continue to have the right to terminate their employment/business relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, and Ability First has the same right. The organization, in its sole discretion, may change the job duties, responsibilities and assignments of any position, at any time.
BENEFITS & PERKS:
AbilityFirst offers a competitive benefit package through Kaiser, Dental and Vision Insurance, Generous Paid Time Off and 12 Paid Holidays, Employee Discount Program, and reimbursement for Mileage and Cellphone (where applicable).
EEO STATEMENT:
All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Ability First does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law.
AbilityFirst is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. In addition, the organization will consider employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
Please include references in your application