Transition and Employment Instructor

Description Summary

This position is responsible for assessing and increasing strengths, interests, and abilities of the individuals we serve related to employment skills acquisition and job development. This position is also responsible for providing supported employment and related services to include but not limited to employment skills development, job development, on-site job coaching and monitoring of progress.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Classroom Instruction: (In person and virtually as applicable): Utilize teaching methods, materials, curriculum fidelity, and adaptations appropriate to meet individual’s needs. Assess the learning strengths and areas of development and interests of the individual. With the individual’s input and the results of the assessments, develop goals and outcomes. Instruct individuals on pre-employment and employment skills such as but not limited to communication, technology, problem solving/critical thinking, teamwork, personal appearance, financial management, professionalism, self-determination, self-advocacy, resume' writing, interview skills, and job search. Assist the individual in developing a portfolio to include certificates of skills attained, letters of recommendation from internships, etc. Assess the individual’s progress in the classroom and at the work experience site. Record daily attendance in class and at the work experience site. Enter all data required for reporting and billing is accurate, complete, and entered within required timeframes. Complete review of assigned student reports and corresponding invoices to ensure accuracy for timely submission to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services by the 10th business day of each month. Educate and train employers at work experience sites information about disability awareness and strategies on how to supervise individuals with disabilities and how to educate co-workers on accommodating and interacting with individuals with disabilities. Maintain accurate and complete files for all individuals served.

• Recruitment and Selection of Individuals for Transition and Employment Programs: Assist in recruitment for the Easterseals Arkansas programs. Review employment development and employment referral applications and ensure they are complete. Ensure that each referral qualifies for Vocational Rehabilitation Services and/or other applicable funding that may be available. Be available to the current and prospective employers, referrals, and their parents/guardians (when applicable) to answer questions about the program. Communicate the mission of Easterseals Arkansas as well as provide information about each of the Adult Services programs available to promote the programs to prospective referrals, parents/guardians, community, and business leaders/employers.

• Employment Instruction And Support: Develop relationships with a variety of businesses for potential work experience sites and employment. Acts as liaison between the individual served, parents/guardians, school districts, Easterseals Arkansas, and employers. Coordinate work experience and/or employment placements and provide job coaching to the individual and/or assistance to designated business support personnel (natural supports) to ensure the individual served is successful. Provides support to parents/guardians (when applicable), employers, and individuals placed. Provides other training necessary to ensure that work experience site and/or employment placement are successful, e.g., social skills, reporting earnings, etc. Communicate regularly with the business liaison or supervisor and respond to questions or requests within 24 hours or schedule a visit when necessary. Coordinate job placement opportunities within the business and necessary job support for the individual served. Remain with the individual served on the job until it has been determined that the fading schedule implemented at time of placement can begin. Compile and submit the documentation, reports and billing as required by the applicable funding agency and maintain copies in an organized individual case file for each referral in compliance with Easterseals Arkansas, HIPPA and other applicable regulatory policies and procedures.

• Supervisory Responsibilities: There are no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Education: Minimum of a high school diploma and experience working with individuals with disabilities. Bachelor’s degree and experience working with individuals with disabilities preferred. The Transition and Employment Instructor must successfully complete, receive and maintain the Job Coach Certification provided by Arkansas Rehabilitation Services during the duration of employment.

• Travel: Services will be provided in schools and employer job sponsor sites.

• Competencies And Knowledge: Knowledge of disabilities and how to adapt instruction to the learning style of each individual served. Knowledge of how an individual’s disability may impact performance in a work environment and how to identify and/or suggest accommodations in the work environment for each individual to ensure success. Ability to utilize virtual meeting platforms to effectively lead online classes and meetings. Excellent communication skills. Excellent organizational skills. Ability to take initiative. Independent work ethic for self-management of schedule. Utilizes sound judgment and decision-making skills.

• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Valid Arkansas Driver's License. Must complete and successfully pass the Job Coach Certification within first 90 days of employment.

• Physical Demands: 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.