Job Developer and Coaching Specialist

Job Type

• Develops pre-placement, person-centered support. Supports building skills for individuals with disabilities to successfully achieve and maintain personally defined employment goals.
• Arranges and participates in meetings with the participant’s circle of support both before and during the job placement process in order to ensure that all involved have a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities.
• Completes Pathways to Employment Discovery process which includes designing individualized “hands on”, tailored pre-employment opportunities for people with disabilities that encourage independence, the ability to acquire new skills and develop sound natural supports and all required documentation and reporting requirements.
• Prepares Pathways to Employment Discovery required documentation and reporting requirements to OPWDD.
• Conducts job analysis to identify the specific hard and soft skills needed to be successful; evaluates worksite accessibility needs and the necessity for special accommodations.
• Conducts field-based assessments of skills, aptitudes, interests, capacities, behaviors, work readiness and functional limitations.
• Provides extensive on-the-job support and follow-up including direct intervention as well as the cultivation of natural supports including coworkers, friends and family members.
• Assists participants in assessing their personal interests, preferences aptitudes and capacities in relation to specific occupational choices; instructs participants in resume writing, preparing job applications, travel training, modeling socially appropriate behavior, job seeking, preparation and job retention skills and attitudes.
• Provides the participant with self-advocacy advice for the workplace; intervenes with any conflicts between employers and participant.
• Monitors individual performance on the job, and counsel participants when job performance is not satisfactory; works with participants to improve job performance and to acquire the skill necessary to be successful. When a job match is unsuccessful, reviews other employment options.
• Provides on-going assessment, retention support and assistance to placed participants and employer partners. Helps participants understand the work culture and employer expectations. Assists participants with cultivating suitable work skills and behaviors; receiving job accommodations; overcoming transportation barriers; understanding how work impacts disability benefits and being well-connected with natural peer work supports.
• Creates and maintains written and electronic records of contacts and outcomes with employers and participants. Prepares forms and reports related to placement activities as needed or requested.
• Maintains necessary documentation for participant records including the individuals’ service documentation, input and development of the Supported Employment Staff Action Plan.
• Attends participant’s semi- annual plan review meeting and updates the team on the employment progress. Documents all meetings in the participant’s electronic record. Updates the participant’s service plan as needed.
• Makes recommendations and implements service quality improvements as necessary.
• Ensures the delivery of services, which are reflective of an Independent Living philosophy and participant empowerment and self-advocacy.
• Assists other employment services programs as needed.
• The above list of responsibilities is not intended to be all inclusive, other responsibilities and/or training may be assigned or required.

• Monday through Friday 9am-5pm.

• $18.50/hr - $19.50/hr

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid time off
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Paid holidays from the first day of employment

• Bachelor’s degree and two to three years of appropriate experience in services to individuals with disabilities; or
• Combination of experience and training, such as experience as a teacher/trainer or experience as an evaluator in a community rehabilitation program.
• Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities is strongly preferred.
• Must have valid NYS Driver’s License with clean driving record.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
• Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and marketing skills.
• A working knowledge of person-centered services, an understanding of how to cultivate sound natural supports, and the ability to facilitate successful matches between individuals and employers.
• Familiarity with the local job market and community resources that can be harnessed in support of individual candidates.
• Ability to develop “outside-the-box” employer solutions that create opportunities for candidates with disabilities.
• Ability to use good judgment and work independently.
• Must be flexible and positive in approach, organized and hard working with a history of adaptability and problem solving.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and public speaking experience.
• Basic word-processing, database, spreadsheet and writing skills.
• Some travel required.
• Must have the ability to work a flexible schedule, per the needs of the program.