Job Coach

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Job Coach is instrumental in assisting people supported maintain and thrive in competitive employment.  In this role, the Job Coach will assist people supported in an on-the-job capacity to learn and maintain their skills and/or position in a paid, volunteer, job shadowing, or community-based assessment setting. 

Works closely with the Vocational Specialists and a variety of business partners and organizations to provide ongoing supports that ensure the success of the individuals supported.  Responsible for implementing all aspects of the Discovery Profile/Individual Employment Plan/ISP while demonstrating a clear understanding of conditions, interests and contributions for individuals supported.  Job Coaches will always look for opportunities to assist people supported in maintaining and increasing skill through providing the following services:  Job Support, Career Assessment, Community Participation Services, and Community Supports.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide direct support to one or more individuals supported, assisting them with work-related skill development
• Maintain flexible work schedule according to the vocational and employment needs of the individuals supported, including evenings, weekends and holidays
• Provide direct assistance to everyone supported in areas of social and emotional support, communication assistance, crisis intervention and personal care related to job preparedness or performance. 
• Teach job tasks and support strategies appropriate for the individuals served, utilizing training plans provided by the employer and/or Vocational Specialist.
• Provide systematic job site instruction according to job analyses, with specific emphasis on sustaining work, integration into work setting, utilization of support strategies and fading of agency employment supports when possible
• Provide job site advocacy and follow-along supports to individuals supported
• Provide transportation and/or facilitate use of alternate forms of transportation for the employment activities of everyone supported
• Always ensure the health and safety of each person supported and apply emergency procedures as necessary
• Participate fully as a member of the Support Team with the implementation of individual support plans, personal employment goals and job support
• Demonstrates professionalism, dignity, and respect towards individuals supported, co-workers, management, and other associates both within the organization and outside the company.
• Serves as a constant positive role model with the individual supported, team members, co-workers, management, and others both within the organization and outside the company.
• Reports any questions or concerns regarding individual supported, co-workers or the organization directly to the program supervisor.
• Provide transportation and/or facilitate use of alternate forms of transportation for the employment activities of each individual supported
• Ensure at all times the health and safety of each person supported and apply emergency procedures as necessary
• Participate fully as a member of the Support Team with the implementation of individual support plans, personal employment goals and job support
• Encourages and honors each person to be the decision maker in his/her life.
• Demonstrates professionalism, dignity, and respect towards individuals supported, co-workers, management, and other associates both within the organization and outside the company.
• Serves as a constant positive role model with the individual supported, team members, co-workers, management, and others both within the organization and outside the company.
• Reports any questions or concerns regarding individual supported, co-workers or the organization directly to the program supervisor.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of a high school diploma or GED required.  A nationally recognized certification as an Employment Professional is also required.  Such a certification would include ACRE (Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators) or CESP (Certified Employment Supports Professional) through National APSE.  Those who do not possess the required certification of ACRE or CESP will be required to obtain the credential within the first six months of employment.  InVision Human Services will pay for the cost associated with training and obtaining the credential.

Other Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license and current vehicle insurance
• Maintain training compliance as defined in all pertinent regulations
• Ability to comprehend access and utilize electronic medium and various computer programs.
• Availability during scheduled licensing and monitoring
• Ability to effectively present information, write reports and respond to questions from clients, families, and staff
• Ability to deal with a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, and/or schedule form, and solve practical problems
• Ability to utilize and maintain company issued equipment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to maintain level of vigilance as described in Customized Support Plan
• Ability to remain in close physical proximity of person served as defined in plan for supervision

All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform any job-related function as directed by their supervisor.