Job Coaches will provide job coaching support to students of the ACLD Tillotson School Secondary Transition Program and who are in need of employment support.  Qualified individuals will work directly with students with moderate disabilities in community worksite settings and volunteer opportunities to help support the needs of the student(s).  Job Coaches will help students learn specific job requirements, support work-related activities and requirements such as time and attendance rules and appropriate work-related behaviors when dealing with supervisors and co-workers.  Job coaches will also assist with travel training students within the community, supporting students in a variety of public transportation modes.  Job Coaches will be expected to model appropriate communication and problem-solving skills, while on the job.  Employment preparation occurs through vocational exploration, assessment and training that takes place in a real-life work, volunteer or other setting within the community.  Job coaches will engage students and establish a trusting, collaborative relationship directed towards the goal of competitive employment in community job settings.  Job Coaches will report to the Transition Coordinator for day-to-day activities and updates and to the Special Education Director or Executive Director of the ACLD Tillotson School for supervisory purposes, as necessary.

Qualifications:  Experience in working with individuals with disabilities is required.  Undergraduate degree or related work experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred:  special education, therapeutic support, mental health counseling, social work or a related field.  Applicants should possess excellent communication skills as they will be maintaining relationships with community worksites.  Experience providing employment services and a knowledge of the world of work is preferred.  Possessing the ability to work as an effective member of a team is imperative. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support a small group of students on a worksite (number of students depends on student abilities/cognitive functioning)
• Maintain communication with worksite contact and Transition Coordinator
• Teach and model appropriate self-advocacy skills to students
• Assess student work skills and challenges that may affect potential competitive employment opportunities
• Collaborate with community work sites and volunteer locations in order to effectively support student progress and successes
• Assist students in obtaining job applications as well as the completion and distribution of the applications
• Communicate student progress to Transition Coordinator, student, family and IEP team as requested
• Participate in meetings as requested
• Observe and record student behavior data
• Review, analyze and discuss student data on a weekly basis with Transition Coordinator to determine the best instruction purposes to maximize student retention of employable work skills and behaviors

Job Conditions:

• Employment is spent in the community and at various worksites
• Position entails walking within the community and utilizing various modes of public transportation within the community
• Employment may take place in inclement weather
• Specific community work sites may require additional responsibilities
• No out-of-pocket costs to perform job duties and responsibilities
• Schedules work experiences will mirror the school calendar
• This position is considered an independent contractor of the ACLD Tillotson School. 
• Wages are paid at an hourly rate. 

Clearances Required:

• Act 33/Act 151 (Child Abuse)
• Act 34 (Criminal Background)
• Act 114 (FBI Fingerprinting)
• Mandated Reporter Training