Project SEARCH Skills Trainer

Responsibilities and Duties: Working under the direction of the Employment Specialist Supervisor (Youth), the Project SEARCH Skills Trainer will collaborate directly with the Project SEARCH Lead Instructor, partnering school system(s), and host business site to effectively facilitate the development and operation of the Project SEARCH internship program at specific identified sites to include: recruiting of interns, participating in the selection of interns, developing and implementing educational curriculum that focuses on employment, providing skills training for task completion and feedback to interns using data analysis and project management processes, participating in employment planning meetings, and identifying community partners that align with the interns’ employment goals in order to secure competitive employment.

Specific duties may include:

1. Provides individualized support to interns during the internship rotation to develop soft skills and work readiness and to acquire competitive and marketable skills. This could include: systematic instruction to teach and break down tasks, building natural supports, developing accommodations, identifying appropriate assistive technology, etc.;
2. Communicates effectively with the Project SEARCH Lead Instructor, other Skills Trainers, host business site department managers/mentors and employees, family members, and school and agency personnel as it relates to:
3. The intern being trained and ready for employment as part of the internship program;
4. Problem solving issues related to training and employment;
5. Informing final decisions that may affect intern success at an internship or competitive job site (e.g., continued skills training, fading strategies, behavioral supports, natural supports, modified job tasks, etc.);
6. Identifying and introducing accommodations and/or technology solutions into internship rotations;
7. Identifying and negotiating new internship rotations within the host business site;
8. Performs specific task analysis, especially when intern is challenged to learn and perform tasks to a productive and quality level and provide direct feedback to intern to ensure that growth is occurring;
9. Assists with completing the Vocational Assessment to determine the abilities of the intern and the demands of the internship tasks and assisting the team to make meaningful matches and selection processes;
10. Carries out steps of job coaching plan with interns and other parties utilizing Project SEARCH curriculum to ensure that we are promoting hirable interns through the internship process. This includes identifying and implementing person-centered teaching opportunities during the classroom instruction to ensure that the interns are gaining valuable employment information (e.g., schedule guest speakers, develop additional curriculum as necessary for internship site and rotational lessons, introduce teambuilding and self-advocacy exercises, etc.);
11. Practices positive reinforcement techniques with interns, co-workers, and other staff at Project SEARCH employment site;
12. Trains interns in the areas of grooming, hygiene, communication, interviewing, transportation, and behavior as they relate to successful employment;
13. Provides travel training to the host business and job site when necessary (or ensures that Project SEARCH interns are able to attend program using community transportation);
14. Attends training provided by personnel to become knowledgeable of strategies and current “best practices” in the field of Supported Employment;
15. Participates in decision-making process to identify and implement training strategies and/or services with other Project SEARCH staff and host business staff;
16. Develops and maintains partnerships with local employers to develop potential worksites and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, negotiating worksite training agreements or special accommodation, monitoring and tracking success following placement, serving as primary contact person, and maintaining database of current and potential business partners;
17. Assists in the identification and recruitment of potential interns for following year’s internship program. This is to include: coordinating with local community vendors, school systems, networking groups and other avenues to promote Project SEARCH initiatives, and identifying appropriate candidates for selection process;
18. Completes all Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) related outcome summaries necessary for appropriate billing processes. This is to include: monitoring of all authorizations, monthly summaries, and Individual Support Planning (ISP)/Person Centered Support Planning documents, and ensuring that adequate documentation is available and filed for future audits;
19. Coordinates with Vocational Rehabilitation Case Managers, Employment and Community First (ECF) Support Coordinators, Medicaid Alternative Pathways (MAPs) Innovation Coordinators, and/or school personnel to ensure that individual placement efforts are effective. This is to include: providing relevant documentation during the initial Vocational Rehabilitation and ECF/MAPs assessment, assisting individuals to develop and advocate for their own employment goals, and communicating proactively with all Vocational Rehabilitation staff, ECF/MAPs staff, and school staff to address issues related to an individual’s employment goals;
20. Upon placement, establishes relationships with an individual’s employer and co-workers to provide education, establish natural support networks, and identify barriers to an individual’s work performance and providing post-placement follow-along services to ensure successful employment;
21. Participates in department meetings and organizational events to better streamline organizational goals and maintain excellence;
22. Participates in intern Employment Planning meetings, Steering Committee meetings, Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings, and/or any other needed support/planning meetings to problem solve challenges, identify goals, and develop or modify effective service implementation plans.
23. Promotes high satisfaction among MillarRich, LLC’s customers (e.g., persons served, guardians, families, Independent Support Coordinators (ISCs), care coordinators, community members, teachers, etc.) by participating in the development and implementation of proactive action plans and communication follow-up in order to address any concerns or suggestions to promote high satisfaction;
24. Maintains a professional appearance and presentation at all times as to effectively represent the agency within the business community. When working on the employment site, dresses appropriately for the environment and tasks assigned;
25. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as circumstances warrant.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics:

1. Bachelor’s degree in a human services field preferred. High School diploma or equivalent required.
2. Has completed or will complete TRN Job Coaching Training and 12-hour shadow-training requirement.
3. Six months of experience working with individuals with disabilities required.
4. One-two years of prior experience in a position of similar scope or teaching in a school system preferred.
5. Completion of VR Orientation training.
6. Completion of Project SEARCH required training, and all required Continuing Education Units (CEUs) associated with Project SEARCH training.
7. Education and/or training in the areas of supervision and management.
8. The ability to effectively communicate through verbal and written mediums.
9. Knowledge of CPI techniques and/or behavior analysis preferred.
10. The ability to observe, ask questions, listen actively, and give and accept feedback effectively.
11. A high energy level, adaptability, assertiveness, patience, and ability to work in a team environment.
12. Knowledge of computers, specifically Excel and Word applications.
13. Ability to work autonomously.
14. Flexibility in assigned working hours.
15. Time management and follow-up skills with ability to plan, organize and prioritize a large workload, and handle several tasks simultaneously.
16. Operation of a motor vehicle is required which includes proof of a valid driver's license, an ability to maintain automobile liability insurance as required by state law in Tennessee, and an ability to qualify as a driver under MillarRich, LLC insurance guidelines.