Job Openings with

South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments
Greenville, SC

Finance Director
Senior Planner
Transition Coach

FINANCE DIRECTOR

This position reports to the Executive Director and supervises staff in the Finance Department.  This position is responsible for accounting, payroll, financial controls, cash management, risk management, budget, management reporting, compliance with federal and state regulations, grant reporting, and financial statement preparation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field
• Ten years experience in accounting to include general ledger reporting, AP, AR, payroll, and budget, preferably in a fund accounting environment
• Two years of supervisory experience
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Skill in using Microsoft Office
• Oral skills to present budget to committees and full board

Special requirements:

Exercises ethical behavior and maintains confidentiality of information on employees, clients, and agency bank records

Preferences:

CPA certification, experience in CSI fund accounting software, and valid SC driver’s license

Salary range:

Depends on qualifications

Benefits:

Complete benefit package including SC Retirement System

Closing date:

September 3, 2010

Other:

Mail cover letter with resume and salary history by closing date to Finance Director, SCACOG, P O Box 6668, Greenville, SC  29606.  No faxed or emailed resumes will be considered.

Equal opportunity employer

Position Announcement:  Senior Planner

The Appalachian Council of Governments, which serves the counties of Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg, is currently seeking candidates for the position of Regional Planner.  A description of the position and application process is provided below. 

Additional information on the Appalachian Council of Governments is available on the agency’s website at www.scacog.org.

Duties and Responsibilities

The position addresses a wide variety of planning functions, with an emphasis on economic and community development.  Activities include;

• Project development
• Project and meeting facilitation
• Project management
• Preparing and presenting reports
• Stakeholder coordination
• Providing orientations, training, and other information 

Desired Qualifications

• Graduation from a college or university with a Masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Public Administration, Political Science, or a closely related field
• At least four years of related experience

Desired Knowledge and Skills

• Expertise in the principles and practices of economic and community development
• Expertise in planning
• Understanding of the mission and operations of councils of government
• Familiarity with statistical and geographic data, data analysis, and GIS systems
• Excellent leadership, project management, and organizational skills
• Excellent writing skills
• Excellent public speaking, presentation, and group facilitation abilities

Salary and Benefits

• Salary range of $ 44,109 to $ 63,940, DOQ
• Group health insurance, with employee premiums paid by agency
• South Carolina Retirement System member
• South Carolina Deferred Compensation (401K) Program

Application Process

Applications will be accepted through September 17, 2010.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and at least three references to Senior Planner Position, Appalachian Council of Governments, PO Box 6668, Greenville, SC 29606.  Application material may be e-mailed to bentley@scacog.org.

TRANSITION COACH

                        Temporary Grant position.  Spartanburg, SC

Job Summary
The Transition Coach functions as a facilitator of interdisciplinary collaboration across the care continuum, providing short term (up to 30 days) support and follow-up to participant/caregiver after hospital discharge.  The primary role of the Transition Coach is to facilitate a successful transition from the hospital to the home in the community by addressing the participant’s most important needs.  This partnership involves facilitating the participant’s/caregiver’s identification of their formal and informal unmet needs and goals, exploring their options, and encouraging them to take the appropriate actions to meet their needs and goals related to the transition. Utilizing a person-centered approach, the Transition Coach empowers the participant/caregiver to (1) assert a more active role during care transitions and (2) develop lasting self-management skills. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Communicates with hospital case manager and/or nurse regarding program referrals.
• Conducts introductory hospital visits to meet with participant and caregiver prior to discharge to establish rapport and collect pertinent information.
• Conducts a series of phone calls with each participant using a person-centered approach that incorporates Person-centered Coaching, Motivational Interviewing and SMART goal setting.
• Provides non-medical person-centered coaching in the following areas: medication self management; personal health record; post-hospitalization physician follow-up; knowledge of red flags; and self management of chronic health conditions and modifying behaviors.
• Follows up with each participant according to the timeline described in the protocol or as preferred by the participant. 
• Documents consumer needs, options, and preferences.  Partners with the participant to develop action plans to meet their own identified needs.
• Prepares and submits timely and accurate data reports.  Prepares other reports or necessary documentation as requested.  Participates in process evaluation activities.

• Educates health care providers and patient/caregivers on the important features of the person-centered discharge planning model to enhance care quality especially during care transitions
• Participates in trainings and seminars

Reports directly to the AAA Director and informally to the LGOA Project Director  

General Requirements

• Performs quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision
• Demonstrates professional values by bringing issues to the appropriate staff in a timely manner for resolution, sharing best practices among all teams’ partners, serving as an advocate, mentoring and leading by example to support a positive work environment, and encouraging other staff to do the same
• Maintains positive relationships with all customers and assists them, as appropriate, with issues or concerns to satisfactory resolution
• Maintains confidentiality with all aspects of information in accordance with agency policy

Education and Experience

• Healthcare or Social Work related degree from an accredited institution: RN, LPN, BSW, MSW etc.

• Minimum 3- 5 years’ clinical experience in an acute care setting, hospital, hospice, home health setting, long term care facility, physician office or in a community setting.
• Experience developing and implementing individual care plans
• Experience in one on one intervention with patients/clients in a clinical setting is desired.

Skills / Knowledge / Expertise

• Ability to complete training modules and master the skills needed to implement person-centered coaching, motivational interviewing, and SMART goal setting
• Ability to help individuals gain confidence in their ability to manage their own care.
• Excellent active listening skills
• Interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with individuals, hospital and community providers and peers
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion
• Exhibits a positive attitude and compassion
• Proficient in general computer software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and database programs
• Valid SC Driver’s License
• Ability to work independently and time effectively with appropriate coordination among project staff, partners and consumers
• Highly organized, able to work in a fast-paced environment and demonstrate prioritization skills and effective time management
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills
• Competent in interviewing skills and techniques
• Fluent in written and verbal communications
• General knowledge of health care delivery system in all settings
• Knowledge of community resources

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Non-supervisory position
• Requires independence with minimal supervision

Mental Demands Required

• Ability to assimilate caregiver information to provide necessary support
• Ability to deal with stressful or challenging caregiver situations

      Physical Demands:

• Reliable, private transportation for travel on a daily basis throughout service area
• The ability to drive, walk and travel between office locations, hospital, and community partners to attend meetings and conduct presentations  
• Mobility is required, including standing, moving about, and sitting.

• Regular lifting of up to 10 pounds and occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds is expected.
• The Coach must be able to maintain a good attendance record.

• Ability to document phone calls on paper form and enter data into web-based software program
• Be able to up to perform person-centered coaching sessions over the phone daily in addition to other duties.
• Ability to hear well over the phone.
• Ability to speak clearly over the phone and in person and be understood by most participants in the study.
• Ability to express respect, competence, and empathy over the phone and in person in order to establish relationships with participants, staff, and community partners.                   

Salary range:  $33,364.50 - $48,360
Benefits:
Complete benefit package including SC Retirement System
Closing date:
September 7, 2010 (Extended time period)
Other:  Mail cover letter with resume and salary history by closing date to AAA Director, SCACOG, P O Box 6668, Greenville, SC  29606.  No e-mailed or faxed resumes will be accepted.

Equal opportunity employer