Job Coach - Vocational Transition Center

Job Coach

Are you looking for a career that makes your heart smile on a daily basis? Come and work with our amazing students and staff at The Vanguard School! Founded in 1959 and located on a beautiful 28-acre campus in Malvern, PA, The Vanguard School and Services are dedicated to the growth and development of children and young adults with a variety of special needs. Through a collaborative and holistic approach to each individual served by the continuum of educational, recreation, and employment services offered, VSS commits to helping all students and participants develop a strong sense of self-worth in their communities in an environment driven by respect, appreciation, learning, and growth.

The Job Coach provides guidance and support for students in educational and workplace environments. They support the student as a valuable asset to businesses while also being able to identify and facilitate the necessary instruction for the individual to become a successful employee. Job coaches support, build and maintain positive relationships with onsite mentors, co-workers and customers. Job Coaches may communicate with managers, supervisors and co-workers of the person they support. Job coaches will also contribute to the IEP development for each student they supervise. The Job Coach may be assigned to work with students as an "on-campus" coach or community-based. A community based job coach will be responsible for transporting students to and from a work site (in a school van). All job coaches will be responsible for supervising and instructing students on work etiquette, job and career-related skills, and evaluating student progress. The Job Coach also supports a certified teacher with preparing instructional materials, implementing lesson plans, reinforcing instruction/tutoring, monitoring student behavior and documenting student progress throughout the school day.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years of college or high school graduate with two years of experience working with young adults with special needs in an organized setting.
• Job Coach certification is preferred.
• Experience with supporting students with special needs in the workplace and utilizing specially designed instruction to aid student success.
• Ability to recognize the individuality and uniqueness of each student and identify workplace supports that assist the student.
• Ability to engage intellectually and physically in all components of the educational and employment process.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with all constituents (administrators, colleagues, clients/students, parents, business partners and others).
• Demonstrates correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft office, iPads and various network databases.
• A valid driver's license and excellent driving record.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the teacher in all areas of career exploration and education as well as developing and practicing career related skills.
• Understand the teacher's lesson plans and daily routines. Actively assist with the implementation of lessons, assessments, collecting and tracking IEP Goal data, and classroom activities as well as the organization of the educational environment.
• Facilitate the use of career related materials and assessments, participate in planning community-based trips, career activities and scheduling resource visitors.
• Provide vocational coaching to individual and small groups of student workers within Vanguard's and the worksite's guidelines, providing appropriate feedback to the student and staff.
• Assist in the planning, coordination, and supervision of Vanguard's annual Career Day.
• Work with students at their assigned job-site(s) to provide oversight of job/work responsibilities.
• Supervise and assist in training students in school-based work assignments such as mail delivery, sorting and collating, writing newsletters, attendance, etc.
• Transport students to off-campus job sites.
• Under a teacher's direction, tutor individual or small groups of students to reinforce instruction as needed. Assist students in completing assignments, and projects.
• Provide a nurturing environment for all students. Enforce school policies and procedures in a fair and consistent manner to ensure the health and safety of all students. Maintain a safe, clean and organized learning environment.
• Observe, monitor and redirect behavior of students throughout the school day on campus and in community locations according to school and program procedures. This includes following specific behavior plans and explaining those plans to all constituents.
• Provide support to the teacher by organizing, preparing, distributing and collecting assignments and materials, including student electronic portfolios.
• Supervise students according to established procedures.
• Serve as a mentor for new staff members and a source of information and help for substitute teachers assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
• Demonstrate competency in each of the VSS core values: Communication and Listening, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Ethics, Professionalism, and Teamwork.
• Comply with all organizational policies and procedures including those stated in the VSS Policies & Procedures manual and additional verbal and written communications provided to staff members.
• Maintain a professional, confidential and ethical relationship with administrators, colleagues, parents, students, and others at all times.
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, in-service activities, and other meetings as required.
• Maintain proper credentials for assignment and remain educationally informed in all related areas including PDE regulations and state/national standards through continued professional study and attending workshops and conferences.
• Actively participate in at least 20 hours of staff development activities directly related to the job assignment during each school year. Job coaches will participate in a VFES chosen Job Coach Certification program. Job coaches must successfully complete and maintain their certification while employed at VFES.
• Perform related duties, special assignments and projects as assigned.

VSS offers a competitive salary, full comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, PTO, 100% short and long-term disabilities, a robust Employee Assistance Program, and a generous annual contribution to each employees' 403(b). Top that off with team-building events, staff outings, and working alongside professionals who care deeply about our mission and core values: Communication and Listening, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Ethics, Professionalism, and Teamwork! The Vanguard School and Services is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. We will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations as part of this commitment.