Gateway Down Syndrome Association
GDSA Mission Statement:
The Gateway Down Syndrome Association (GDSA) serves, supports, and celebrates the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their families, through every stage of life.
GDSA Core Values:
The GDSA holds the core values of integrity, equity, inclusion, excellence, and respect.
Position Summary:
This is a part-time, hourly (20-30 hours per week) position responsible for supporting and serving all expecting and new families as well as families who have children in the early childhood years (0-6 years old) across Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. Support will be offered via phone calls, in-person visits, emails, and mail. This position will also be responsible for coordinating all new / early childhood parent programs and events which may include some evenings and weekends. The following duties are listed as illustrations of success in this position. The absence of specific statements of duties does not exclude these tasks from the position if the work is similar, related to or a logical assignment of the position.
Characteristic Duties:
- Maintain and build relationships with area hospitals to ensure they have access to GDSA information packets and are aware of our new family referral process.
- Intentionally expand our reach and build new relationships with hospitals, genetic counselors, OBGYns, and Pediatricians in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois.
- Connect with and offer support to all new and expecting families either in the hospital or at home 24-48 hours after they contact GDSA. Provide celebration basket if applicable, as well as all appropriate resources and information packets.
- Ensure appropriate follow-up with each family and maintain connection and communication throughout at least the first year of the child’s life.
- Stay up to date on current research and best practice in alignment with our goal of becoming a Center of Excellence for Down syndrome in the region.
- Regularly audit and update resource materials to ensure they are up-to-date and accurate.
- Maintain Sharing our Strategies and Groups by Birth Year on Facebook.
- Build the New Parent Mentorship Program to engage parents of young children with Down syndrome with new and expectant parents.
- Help manage new family events such as the New Mother’s Luncheon, New Family Brunch and Moms / Caregiver Nights Out.
- Coordinate and work with appropriate GDSA staff to expand our programs for children with Down syndrome.
- Track all family support interactions as per the GDSA’s local government contracts.
- Participate in periodic community activities and presentations which heighten the awareness of Down syndrome.
- Assist the Programs and Services Team in coordinating the annual GDSA holiday party and other family events.
- Maintain strong collaborative relationship with St. Louis Children’s Hospital Down Syndrome Center.
Qualifications:
- Dedication to serving and supporting families with children with Down syndrome.
- 3-5+ years of experience caring for or working with families and children with Down syndrome.
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite required; proficiency in donor database system preferred.
- Strong leadership skills and ability to work autonomously.
- Empathetic, caring, and professional demeanor.
- Ability to build and maintain positive constituent and colleague relationships through constructive communication skills and professionalism.
- Effective communicator; able to motivate others clearly and creatively through written and verbal avenues; maintains confidentiality; and handles donor interest and personal information with tact and sensitivity.
- Action-oriented, innovative, and flexible.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and act as a team player on multiple GDSA projects.
The impact you will make…
The GDSA was founded in 1976 by a small group of parents wanting to share and build resources for their children with Down syndrome. Nearly 50 years later, we are a premier Down syndrome organization serving over 2,200 individuals and their families annually. This role will have a dramatic positive impact on strategic goals of empowering lifelong independence and supporting families throughout the lifespan.
What we can offer you…
Beyond a great mission, dedicated team members, and an incredible opportunity to truly make a difference in our community, you will receive the following
- Unbeatable organizational culture with opportunities for professional development and growth.
- Laughter, fun, and strong collegial support.
- Competitive pay commensurate with experience.
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) plan and flexible schedule.
- Simple IRA plan with 3% company match.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
GDSA is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our human capital is the most valuable asset we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and organization’s achievement as well. We embrace our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.
To apply, please email resume and short cover letter to Executive Director, Erin Suelmann, at erin@gatewaydsa.org
