Employment Coach for Adults with IDD

Key Responsibilities

• Support adults with disabilities of all ages and others who need assistance to lead self-directed lives and contribute to their communities
• Support behaviors that enhance inclusion, develop social roles and build social capital in their communities
• Collaborate with the specialist and others to plan and implement individualized supports in an ethical, holistic, and professional manner that builds upon individual strengths and capabilities and maximizes choices
• Aid each person to identify needs, desires, and goals for the future
• Demonstrate the ability and willingness to support specialists with a wide variety of needs, to include mental health, physical health, housing and community employment
• Demonstrate a “people first” philosophy
• Provide supports to both men and women with disabilities
• Teach the specialists skills to become self-advocates
• Aid each specialist to build the self-esteem and assertiveness necessary to lead a self-determining life
• Facilitate inclusion and engagement in community and neighborhood life
• Promote typical life patterns and conditions that enhance the quality of a person’s life including employment, a comfortable home, health care, relaxation and recreation, career and educational advancement and connection to social and family networks
• Establish a course of action for self and others to accomplish goals daily

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Affirm consistency in the supports provided to each person with disabilities
• Mobilize resources and provide the support necessary for the specialist to engage in satisfying work, education, or daily activity
• Take immediate action when inconsistencies in Implementation Plan or Support Plan are reported or observed
• Inform the supervisor of the training needs of specialists
• Complete documentation responsibilities in a timely, accurate, detailed, legible, neat, and objective manner, using correct spelling and grammar
• Prepare and implement Lessons for Personal & Professional Success for specialists participating in G.R.O.W., Operation G.R.O.W., and G.R.O.W. Out
• Evaluate progress in learning for specialists participating in Operation G.R.O.W., G.R.O.W., and G.R.O.W. Out

Qualifications and Competencies

• Experience in working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• A minimum of a High School Diploma/GED
• Ability to work a flexible schedule
• Crisis prevention and intervention
• Teaching skills
• Knowledge of job coaching supported employment models, and disability employment best practices
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to work effectively with specialists, families, staff, and external stakeholders
• Compassionate, patient, and understanding of the unique needs of individuals with disabilities
• Knowledge of person-centered care, individualized service plans, and related best practices in the care of individuals with disabilities
• Strong problem-solving and crisis management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and ensure the quality and consistency of services
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to transport residents as needed
• A First Aid/CPR certification or have the ability to obtain the certification within the first 30 days preferably and ongoingly thereafter
• The ability to obtain a Direct Support Professional training through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities within the first 30 days preferably