Project Search Job Coach

Position Summary

Project SEARCH serves young people with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities. Typically, these are high school students who are on an Individual Education Program (IEP) and in their last year of high school eligibility. Students defer graduation and complete their last year of school at the host business, in this case it is Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital. Student Interns participate in classroom employability training as well as three internships at the hospital to build their social, communication and employability skills. The Project SEARCH Coordinator position provides training and job placement to transition-aged youth with disabilities to develop employability skills, acquire and maintain employment in an inter-agency collaborative environment.

Essential Functions

• Reviews potential Project Search candidates with the committee and conducts interviews using the agreed upon rubric in the selection process.
• Affords assistance with the coordination of hospital tours for incoming interns, parents, and teachers to highlight the program to potential candidates.
• Organizes annual student/parent orientation and graduation sessions with all stakeholders.
• Assists with employment planning meetings with each intern, parent, supervisor, and Project Search Team.
• Leads the Project Search assessments conducted at the beginning of each cohort and submits them for billing in the CRM.
• Ensures all client referrals are in place in regard to: vocational assessments, OJT rotations, and their placement upon completion of the Project SEARCH year.
• Assesses student skills to create an accurate skills profile of the intern and internships that will allow the team to make meaningful matches for each student/intern.
• Works with business liaison, department manager/mentors, instructors, and fellow skills trainers to develop internship sites, write job descriptions, task lists, job analysis and plan for necessary modifications for the internships and competitive jobs.
• Works with manager/mentors and co-workers to educate on disability awareness and training techniques to reinforce employability skills and assists interns to understand and interpret work culture.
• Affords assistance in training interns in the interview process that is unique to each host business for interns to gain both internships and competitive positions.
• Ensures all Project Search billing is submitted in a timely fashion and liaises with Vocationa Rehabilitation to ensure all approvals are in place.
• Learns the internship duties and makes any modifications (label cabinets, simplify written instructions, etc.) necessary for the successful completion of the job.
• Attends job orientation with the intern and clarifies information with the intern as necessary.
• Teaches the essential tasks/duties/core skills of the job to the intern; provides individual support specific to each intern and job task needs during the job development phase.
• Creates vocational profiles and individual career plans for individuals using Discovery methods.
• Develops employment opportunities using customized, supported, or direct placement approaches.
• Actively meets deadlines, takes notes, and writes detailed reports.
• Affords assistance with résumé development, employment applications, interviewing, orientation, and training as agreed upon with individual and employer.
• Communicates with family members and other providers to assist individuals in successfully gaining employment.
• Develops relationships with community employers, completes situational interviews, offers consultation services to meet employer needs.
• Develops natural supports in the workplace and community for individuals with disabilities.
• Drives clients to various locations as needed.
• Completes other required duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Job Knowledge: Familiarity with Project SEARCH model and its implementation.
• Training Skills: Proficiency in conducting assessments, developing job descriptions, and creating vocational profiles.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact with students, families, and employers.
• Relationship Building: Ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders including families, employers, and community partners.
• Business Development: Experience in developing and maintaining relationships with community employers.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Problem Solving/Analysis: Ability to solve problems and analyze situations to find effective solutions.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and tasks.
• Detail Oriented: Attention to detail to ensure accuracy in documentation and reporting.
• Time Management: Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks effectively.