Job Coach

Job Coach / Employment Specialist – Part-Time

RISE Services is seeking a compassionate, dependable, and motivated Job Coach / Employment Specialist to help individuals with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain meaningful employment.

This is a hands-on, community-based position. You will meet participants at employer worksites and other community locations throughout the Woodbridge and Stafford areas. You will help individuals identify employment goals, search and apply for jobs, prepare for interviews, learn workplace responsibilities, communicate with employers, and maintain successful employment.

A bachelor's degree is not required. We welcome applicants with experience in disability services, education, behavioral health, human services, workforce development, career coaching, case management, direct support, retail supervision, customer service, or other positions involving teaching, coaching, or helping others succeed.

Training is provided.

Schedule and Hours

This is a part-time position offering up to 29 hours per week. The schedule is predominantly during daytime hours, Monday through Friday.

Weekend work is only occasionally needed, primarily to provide coverage when another employee is unavailable. This is not a regularly scheduled weekend position.

Because this position supports individuals based on their employment needs, weekly schedules may include a combination of:

• On-site job coaching
• Job searching and completing applications
• Resume and interview preparation
• Employer outreach
• Employment-readiness activities
• Community-based meetings
• Service documentation and progress notes

When a participant is not scheduled to work their full number of service hours, the Job Coach may assist with other authorized employment activities, such as job searching, completing applications, preparing for interviews, or building workplace skills.

Employees interested in additional hours may have the opportunity to transition to a full-time schedule as services and caseload needs grow. Full-time hours are not guaranteed and depend on participant referrals, scheduling needs, employee availability, and performance.

What You'll Do

Job Coaching and Workplace Support

• Provide individualized job coaching at employer worksites and in community settings.
• Help participants learn job duties, workplace routines, safety procedures, and employer expectations.
• Teach workplace communication, professional behavior, time management, problem-solving, and other employment skills.
• Support participants in communicating effectively with supervisors and coworkers.
• Help develop natural workplace supports that promote long-term independence.
• Monitor participant progress and adjust coaching strategies as skills improve.
• Provide ongoing support to help participants maintain successful employment.

Job Search and Career Preparation

• Help participants identify their strengths, interests, abilities, support needs, and employment goals.
• Assist with resumes, applications, job searches, and interview preparation.
• Conduct mock interviews and employment-readiness activities.
• Identify jobs that match each participant's interests, experience, abilities, and goals.
• Coordinate interviews, hiring activities, and onboarding support.
• Assist participants in understanding workplace expectations and requesting reasonable accommodations when appropriate.

Employer and Community Engagement

• Develop positive working relationships with local employers.
• Contact businesses to identify potential employment opportunities.
• Educate employers about inclusive hiring and available workplace supports.
• Communicate professionally with participants, families, employers, support coordinators, schools, and community partners.
• Attend hiring events, community activities, team meetings, and required training when scheduled.

Documentation and Service Coordination

• Complete accurate progress notes and required service documentation by established deadlines.
• Maintain participant records in accordance with funding-source and organizational requirements.
• Track employment outcomes, including applications, interviews, placements, wages, scheduled hours, and job retention.
• Communicate concerns, changes, and participant progress to the appropriate supervisor.
• Participate in service-planning and team coordination activities.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree is not required.
• Experience supporting individuals with disabilities or people who experience barriers to employment is preferred.
• Experience in coaching, teaching, mentoring, customer service, supervision, human services, workforce development, behavioral health, or a related area may also be considered.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently while remaining responsive to participants, employers, and supervisors.
• Ability to maintain a consistent schedule and complete documentation on time.
• Basic computer skills, including the ability to use email, Microsoft Office, and electronic documentation systems.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Willingness and ability to travel locally and transport participants when required.
• Ability to satisfy applicable background-screening and employment requirements.

Preferred—but Not Required

• Supported Employment, Individual Supported Employment, job-coaching, or job-development experience.
• Experience working with individuals with intellectual, developmental, behavioral, or other disabilities.
• Knowledge of Medicaid Waiver, vocational rehabilitation, or disability-employment services.
• Understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act and reasonable workplace accommodations.
• Experience working with employers, schools, support coordinators, vocational rehabilitation agencies, or community organizations.
• CESP, ACRE, DSP, or another employment-support credential.

Who Will Succeed in This Position?

You may be a strong fit if you are:

• Patient, compassionate, and committed to helping others become more independent.
• Dependable and able to maintain a consistent work schedule.
• Comfortable working at employer locations and throughout the community.
• Confident communicating with participants, families, employers, and professionals.
• Able to motivate and teach others without completing tasks for them.
• Resourceful and willing to identify solutions when challenges arise.
• Organized and able to manage appointments, follow-ups, and documentation.
• Flexible when participant or employer schedules change.
• Comfortable working independently without constant direct supervision.

Why Join RISE Services?

• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities.
• Help people build careers, confidence, and greater independence.
• Work primarily during weekday daytime hours.
• Receive mileage reimbursement for approved work-related travel.
• Participate in paid training and professional development.
• Build transferable experience in human services, workforce development, disability services, and career coaching.
• Access potential opportunities for additional hours and advancement as the organization grows.
• Join a collaborative, mission-driven organization.

Benefits

Part-time employees may be eligible for:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Tenure Bonus Program
• Mileage reimbursement for approved work-related travel
• Paid training and professional development

Employees who transition to an eligible full-time position may also receive:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Short-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term care option

Benefit eligibility requirements apply.

Important Work-Setting Information

This is not a remote or office-based position. Most services are provided at employer worksites and other community locations in Woodbridge, Stafford, and nearby communities.

Applicants must be comfortable driving between community locations and must have reliable transportation. Transporting participants may be required as part of the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

RISE Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We recruit, hire, train, compensate, and promote employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or