Job Developer and Coaching Team Leader

Do you want to assist us with finding untapped employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities?

As the Job Developer and Coaching Team Leader, assist the Director of Family Services and Employment (DFS/E) to oversee Supported Employment program goals, compliance, initiatives, and staff scheduling, oversee Job Developer and Coaching Specialists and assist with all phases of supported employment.

Independent Living, Inc., is a progressive and dynamic cross-disability services organization and a leader in the provision of peer services in the Hudson Valley region. Our Employment Services Division provides work-readiness assessments and job placement and direct support job coaching services. The Job Developer and Coaching Team Leader position requires a bachelor’s degree and two to three years of appropriate experience in services to individuals with disabilities; or a combination of experience and training, such as experience as a teacher/trainer or experience as an evaluator in a community rehabilitation program. 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. Must have the ability to work a flexible schedule, per the needs of the program.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assist the Director of Family Services and Employment (DFS/E) to oversee Supported Employment program goals, compliance, initiatives, and staff scheduling.
• Responsible for monitoring time and attendance and conducting performance feedback meetings of the SEMP staff.
• Establish, support and maintain effective working relationships with participating job sites and community providers.
• Develop pre-placement, person-centered support. Support building of skills for individuals with disabilities to successfully achieve and maintain personally defined employment goals.
• Arrange and participate 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.
• Must participate in all trainings required by the oversite agency(ies) of the position and by ILI.
• Work with and train Job Developer and Coaching Specialists on all phases of supported employment including Extended SEMP, Intensive SEMP and the Pathways to Employment Discovery process including designing individualized tailored pre-employment opportunities that encourage independence and support participants ability to acquire new skills.
• Train Job Developer and Coaching Specialists on all required documentation and reporting requirements, including the proper use of Foothold/AWARDS.
• Provide onsite Job Coaching supports for participants as needed for coverage or other needs and maintain a small caseload.
• Oversee Job Developer and Coaching Specialists on:

? Prepare Pathways to Employment Discovery required documentation and reporting requirements to OPWDD.

? Conduct job analysis to identify the specific hard and soft skills needed to be successful; evaluate worksite accessibility needs and the necessity for special accommodations.

? Conduct field-based assessments of skills, aptitudes, interests, capacities, behaviors, work readiness and functional limitations.

? Provide 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.

• Assist 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.

? Provide the participant with self-advocacy advice for the workplace; intervenes with any conflicts between employers and participant.

? Monitor 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.

? Provide on-going assessment, retention support and assistance to placed participants and employer partners. Help participants understand the work culture and employer expectations. Assist 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.

? Create and maintain written and electronic records of contacts and outcomes with employers and participants.

? Maintaining necessary documentation for participant records including the individuals’ service documentation, input and development of the Supported Employment Staff Action Plan.

? Prepare forms and reports related to placement activities as needed or requested.

• Attend participant’s semi- annual plan review meeting and update the team on the employment progress. Document all meetings in the participant’s electronic record.
• Updates the participant’s service plan as needed.
• Make recommendations and implement service quality improvements as necessary.
• Ensure the delivery of services, which are reflective of an Independent Living philosophy and participant empowerment and self-advocacy.
• Assist the DFS/E with other employment services programs as needed.
• Participate in the interview process for new Job Developer and Coaching Specialists.
• Assist with program coverage due to absences.
• The above list of responsibilities is not intended to be all inclusive, other responsibilities and/or training may be assigned or required.

SHIFT:

• Monday through Friday 9am-5pm, with flexibility based on the needs of the program.

PAY RATE:

• $22.00/hr - $23.00/hr

BENEFITS:

• 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, unrestricted NYS Driver’s License with a 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.

ILI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to a person's race, religion, creed, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, pregnancy, reproductive health decisions, military status, veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, citizenship or immigration status. arrest or conviction record or any other status protected by federal or state law.