Mon Valley School, Job Coach

Job Coach

The Job Coach provides training and related supports to students in a volunteer, vocational assessment, employment or apprentice opportunity, in order to learn or maintain skills related to the job. Job Coach will support and reinforce students with disabilities who are learning job skills (such as job tasks, appropriate behaviors, how to work with co-workers and supervisors, how to travel to work, etc.), and demonstrating to the employers or co-workers strategies of working and developing natural supports adaptations and modifications when needed to ensure the success of the student in work-based jobs and volunteer settings. The Job Coach provides supports in school and on the job. The Job Coach also coaches the student with interpersonal skills necessary to be accepted as a worker/volunteer at the job site and in related community contacts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Meets the student before going to the job site and becomes familiar with the student's needs, IEP goals, and plans.
2. Learns about the specific job requirements and duties at the work site before meeting the student at the site.
3. Works directly with students in a supportive role at the work site. Areas that may be addressed by the Job Coach include:
1. Appropriate work behaviors and interpersonal skills such as socializing with co-workers, timeliness, appearance.
2. Pre-employment related skills specific to the worksite
3. Modeling, encouragement, and training all individuals to follow safety guidelines
4. Reinforces the IEP goals, behavior plans, work agreements and plans as needed at the work site. This includes following the program as outlined in the students' IEP and accurately documenting the student's progress using the forms provided.
5. Communicates regularly with the Transition Consultant by providing weekly written summaries of activities related to the individual student reporting problems immediately.
6. Continually evaluates and monitors student's performance and progress; provides information from the job site to support the development of task analysis for new job responsibilities and provides information on accommodations that would support the student
7. Meets with the Transition Consultant and Principals as needed.
8. Ensures success of the placement by providing advocacy at the work site by anticipating and resolving problems.
9. Increases student independence at the job site and implements the fade plan established for the student.
10. Works with Transition Consultants and Building Principals to plan, develop, and implement work-based outreach activities with employers and school districts.
11. Assists school administrators and staff to prepare student for work-based learning opportunities.
12. Supports Transition Consultants in the development of work-based learning opportunities in targeted career themed industries.
13. Assists Transition Consultant in coordination of employment skills workshops such as job interviewing, job application, and resume writing.
14. Provides oversite of students and oversite of daily operations of the student run work-related activities.
15. Attends work-related workshops, conferences and meetings with business and educational leaders to assist Transition Consultants and Administrators with providing work-related information on available programs.
16. Assists the Transition Consultant and Administration in the application for appropriate grant opportunities for future funding or site-based school to career programs to support work-based learning activities.
17. Assists the Transition Consultant in identifying new sources of career/work related opportunities for program participants.
18. Assists the Transition Consultant and Administration in the development of guides, brochures, and promoting materials to market school to career/vocational education opportunities.

Qualifications:

1. High School diploma required. Associates degree or Bachelor's degree in field of employment and/or education preferred.
2. Knowledge of applicable sections of State Education Code and other applicable laws preferred.
3. A successful employment history required.
4. Good interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
5. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
6. Experience in working with youth with disabilities in work and community setting preferred.
7. Strong organizational and mathematical skills related to inventory, ordering and purchasing is preferred.
8. Ability to work as part of a team.
9. Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
10. Ability to review, process, and understand occupational literature, distributed by Administration or Transition Consultant.
11. Ability to be flexible.
12. Ability to demonstrate organizational skills, initiative, and work with limited supervision.
13. Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, PowerPoint, Access, Excel and Outlook, and willingness to experiment and work with new technologies.
14. Ability to travel.
15. Ability to comply with the AIU Conduct policy

Additional Requirements:

1. Current Act 114, Act 34, Act 151 and NSOR clearances are required prior to an offer (Must be dated within 1 year of hire date).
2. School Personnel Health Record (Form H511.340) must be completed and received by Human Resources prior to hire date.

Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

1. Sitting and standing for extended period of time
2. Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling up to 35 pounds
3. Ability to kneel, crouch, bend and reach to retrieve and handle materials and supplies
4. Moving fingers and hands in a repetitive manner
5. Ability to speak clearly and distinctly when communicating
6. Hearing clearly
7. Adequate vision to perform duties

Disclaimer: The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the Job Coach.