Civil Service - ESE Job Coach

About the Role

Supports work experience opportunities for Special Education students. Maintains liaisons with community businesses and organizations; recruits presenters; develops pre-employment and employment skills; provides information and/or direction to students; and promotes programs with staff and parents.

Responsibilities

• Counsels students in job search skills for the purpose of informing them of employment and career options.
• Coaches and assists students in vocational skills (work requirements, interviewing skills, self-determination, and job performance) to enhance their readiness and job performance.
• Assesses student preferences and interests through detailed interviews of students, parents, teachers, and reviews of appropriate school and agency records; maintains a student portfolio.
• Plans transportation and travel training for students as needed.
• Participates in a variety of meetings, workshops, and committees to convey and/or gather information required to maintain program knowledge and support district guidelines.
• Arranges for parents/students to link with community agencies for eligibility of services and support.
• Maintains confidential and non-confidential records to document activities and/or provide reliable information pertinent to student performance.
• Acts as advocate for students with disabilities in all communication with employers, fellow employees, parents, teachers, and agency personnel.
• Monitors student performance in a variety of worksites according to program guidelines (visits job sites, obtains employee evaluation, and serves as a liaison between employer and student).
• Identifies additional training on techniques and methods for maintaining solid work habits.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Two years of responsible experience such as: Teachers Aide, Counselor, or Occupational Specialist working with moderately or severely handicapped students; OR
• Two years of college-level training (24 semester hours) in special education, rehabilitation, psychology, or social work.

Skills

• Knowledge of multiple learning styles and learning styles of students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of industry practices and procedures.
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to develop thorough worksite profiles.
• Ability to effectively manage behaviors of student-employees in difficult situations.
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and document all job coach services.
• Ability to develop training programs using systems for individualized instruction.
• Ability to work holidays, weekends, or nights (with flexible scheduling of a 40-hour work week) to correspond with student job schedules.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.