Skills Trainer

Are you looking for an opportunity to grow your career while helping others do the same? At Waters & Sims , a member of the Merakey family of companies, we empower people living with disabilities to live, work, and integrate successfully into the community. We are seeking a full-time Skills Trainer to join our Supported Employment Services team in Ocean County, NJ.

Earn $22.12/hour, plus mileage reimbursement

Position Details

The Skills Trainer plays a key role in supporting students with disabilities as they prepare for future employment through New Jersey's Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) program.

Working closely with DVR counselors, schools, families, and the Program Coordinator, the Skills Trainer helps students identify realistic employment goals, build transferable skills, and access meaningful learning opportunities in the community. The role requires strong organization, compassionate communication, flexibility, and a deep commitment to empowering students on their path toward independence and competitive employment.

Through consistent service delivery, detailed documentation, and professional collaboration, the Skills Trainer ensures that students receive high-quality transition support while meeting program standards and billable expectations. This is a dynamic position ideal for individuals who are passionate about education, equity, and helping young people thrive.

This position is responsible for delivering structured, individualized instruction across five core areas: job exploration, work-based learning experiences, post-secondary education counseling, workplace readiness, and self-advocacy training.

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence to navigate employers, students, parents, schools and systems
• Exceptional organizational and time-management capabilities to manage training modules, service and documentation seamlessly
• Proficient in Microsoft office, email, virtual communication platforms and team-based coordination tools
• Flexibility to adapt to changing workplace conditions, service logistics and procedural updates
• Strong ability to develop student-aligned goals, management employment logistics and coordinate multifaceted stakeholder interactions

Key Responsibilities

Training:

• Complete all NJ Pre-Service training and professional development (Boggs Center, CDS, etc.) as scheduled.
• Fulfill all required new hire training within 60 days of hire and as requested by management.

Service Delivery and Consumer Support:

• Support the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) process for each student, collaborating with DVR and school personnel to help identify appropriate, realistic employment goals.
• Conduct intakes and assessments for all assigned students to determine service needs and readiness.
• Deliver all five required components of Pre-Employment Transition Services as outlined by WINTAC.org: v Job Exploration Counseling v Work-Based Learning Experiences (WBLE) v Counseling on Post-Secondary Education Options v Workplace Readiness Training v Instruction in Self-Advocacy
• Support students in accessing necessary resources and services that contribute to employment success (e.g., technology, clothing, tutoring, etc.).

Documentation and Caseload Management

• Create and maintain a daily calendar that prioritizes consumer services and reflects caseload needs, appointments, and compliance with agency expectations.
• Maintain a consistent average of 31 billable hours per week through direct service provision.
• Collaborate regularly with the Program Coordinator to ensure best practices in caseload management and service quality.
• Communicate regularly, professionally, and respectfully with DVR counselors, school representatives, employers, and families.
• Complete daily documentation in SETWorks, including progress notes and relevant service details.
• Submit Monthly Activity Reports as required by funders, ensuring timely and accurate reporting upon completion of each student's authorized hours.

Benefits

Waters & Sims employees have access to benefits that promote well-being, financial security, and work-life balance, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus healthcare advocacy support.
• Retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth contribution options.
• DailyPay, providing access to your pay when you need it.
• On the Goga well-being platform, featuring self-care tools and resources.
• Care.com access for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
• Confidential counseling and legal and financial resources through the Employee Assistance Program.
• Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
• Employee discounts on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle services.
• Free personal and professional development courses through Pryor Online Learning.

About Waters & Sims

Waters & Sims helps individuals with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain meaningful employment. Through personalized coaching, skill development, employer partnerships, and ongoing workplace support, our team helps the people we serve build greater confidence and independence.

Waters & Sims is a member of the Merakey family of companies. Merakey is a nonprofit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees support nearly 40,000 individuals and families across 12 states each year.

Learn more about careers with Waters & Sims.

Merakey and its family of companies strictly follow a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.

Waters & Sims and Merakey are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers. We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability status, or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to building teams that reflect the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Veterans are encouraged to apply.

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in human services, education, psychology a must
• Reliable vehicle + Valid Driving License a must
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office a must
• Case management experience and proper documentation experience preferred
• Crisis-management and problem-solving skills to anticipate and address internship site or student challenges proactively preferred