Student Transition Coordinator - Northeast Indiana (Full Time)

About Goodwill Industries of Northeast Indiana, Inc.

Founded in Boston, MA in 1902 by Reverend Edgar J Helms, Goodwill has been providing opportunities for men and women across America and around the world ever since. The Fort Wayne Goodwill can trace its roots back to 1936 when Reverend Helms proposed a federation of Goodwill Industries across northern Indiana. Today, we continue to flourish as we serve a 10-county area in Northeast Indiana. As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, our mission is to create opportunities for people to achieve economic stability and build strong communities by offering job training, employment services, and other community-based programs. We support this mission through the eco-friendly collection and sale of donated goods. National watchdog groups and publications consistently give us high ratings for our prudent and innovative use of funds. Every job in our organization contributes to our vocational training and employment programs.

About the Role

As a Student Transition Coordinator, you will work closely with school administration and teachers in DeKalb, Noble, and Steuben counties to determine programming, curriculum, and select candidates for Pre-Employment Transition Services. You will create and maintain relationships with area employers who can provide work-based experience job sites for our students. The schedule offers built-in seasonal flexibility and academic-calendar alignment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and documents the functions/programming of the Pre-Employment Transition Services program.
• Works collaboratively with the VP of Transition Services in reviewing and ensuring VR program and contract compliance.
• Standardizes the delivery of services for the Pre-Ets process including technology/software used to facilitate remote services.
• Able to creatively engage students with curriculum and activities that promote growth in the five core service areas of focus.
• Formulates teaching outlines and determines appropriate instruction methods.
• Selects or develops teaching aids – handouts, PowerPoint presentations, workbooks, etc.
• Creates, documents, and maintains forms and records used for Pre-Ets services, including methods of tracking Pre-Ets activities, students, and schools.
• Coordinates assigned area school systems Pre-Employment Services.
• Works closely with school administration, Student Transition Coordinators, and teachers to determine programming and appropriate curriculum for Pre-Employment Transition Services.
• Assists in selecting candidates for the Pre-Employment Transition Services programs.
• Completes all required documentation, reports, paperwork, and billing for selected students and services accurately and in a timely manner.
• Attends student/parent case conferences when appropriate.
• Provides Pre-Employment Services to students in individual and/or group settings: job exploration counseling, work-based learning experiences, counseling on opportunities for post-secondary education, workplace readiness training, and instruction on self-advocacy.
• Identifies the individual needs of each student and creates a portfolio to document work readiness and accomplishments for potential employers.
• Markets student work-based learning experiences to area businesses through direct mailings/emails, personal/phone presentations, relationship building, and networking.
• Maintains relationships with area work-based learning experience site employers.
• Creates and maintains summer programs for students outside the regular school year.
• Tests trainees and students to measure progress and evaluates the effectiveness of the training and documentation of all training.
• Conducts on-site observations of individuals enrolled in work assessment/evaluation components and provides required written reports.
• Evaluates and provides feedback to program participants.
• Meets with the client’s/student’s work site supervisor to discuss and document performance and program progress.
• Provides support services such as job-seeking skills, bus training or other transportation assistance, advocacy, referral services, and crisis intervention.
• Interacts cooperatively with co-workers and referral sources to ensure smooth delivery of services.
• Follows all safety rules and practices.
• Performs all other duties as may be assigned by management in the process of carrying out the mission of Goodwill Industries.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred, or 1-3 years of relevant experience.
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with area employers who can provide work-based learning experiences for students.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in the use of smartphones and laptop computers.
• Must be able to pass a background check and have a valid driver’s license with a suitable driving record.
• 1-3 years or more of classroom management experience.
• Ability to obtain CPR/First Aid Certificates.
• Proficiency in the use of computer (Apple and Google products).
• Must provide proof of insurance for personal vehicle at approved levels (100/300,000 liability; 50,000 property damage).
• Must have a suitable driving record and be insurable by Goodwill Industries insurance carrier.
• Subject to random alcohol and drug testing as specified in the Drug-Free Workplace Program.

Benefits

• Competitive wages.
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• 401(k) plan.
• Life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP).
• Holiday pay.
• Paid time off (PTO).
• Store discounts.

Working Conditions

Physical activities include substantial use of vision, hearing, talking, and repetitive motions; considerable walking; moderate reaching, grasping, and carrying; occasional lifting; and nominal pushing and pulling. The role involves frequent travel on agency business. The worker is subject to mainly indoor environmental conditions, though some student work sites may be outdoors.

Physical requirements: Sedentary work involving sitting, some walking, standing, and carrying; no routine lifting over 10 pounds.