Transitions Job Coach

Position and Location

Position: Transition Coach

Location: Durham and Orange County

Supervised by: Director of Transitions Services

Positions Supervised: None

AA or BA required. Experience working in a public school environment; job coaching/job development experience. Individuals must be highly motivated and able to work without direct on-site supervision. Excellent computer skills with a strong background in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; minimum 3 yrs related experience with students/adults with developmental disabilities strongly preferred.

Must have clear background check & driving record; requires verification of immunizations or receipt of required immunizations.

The Transition Coach assists students with disabilities to gain valuable pre-employment skills. This position is a partnership with the local school system and Vocational Rehabilitation to facilitate employment training for identified students. Excellent communication skills, flexibility, and the ability to work as part of a team are required. Use of reliable transportation required; mileage will be reimbursed. Transition Coaches will be expected to provide job coaching in the community when school is not in session.

• Work with students, teachers, school teams and caregivers to identify transition planning needs, develop individual transition plans.
• Work with school staff and network with local businesses to develop community-based training and school and work-based learning opportunities based on student’s identified interests and needs for job exploration.
• Assist students in completing career portfolios.
• Adhere to model fidelity in Transition-to-Work for students with disabilities.
• Provide individualized support for students 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.
• Communicate effectively with the school staff, instructor, other skills trainers, department managers/mentors, co-workers, family members, and school and agency personnel as it relates to the student being trained.
• Perform specific task analysis, especially when the student is challenged to learn and perform tasks to a productive and quality level.
• Assist with completing the assessments to determine the abilities of the student, the demands of the internship tasks and assist the team to make meaningful matches.
• Work with consumers, employers, families, job placement specialists, agency personnel, affiliate school personnel and other appropriate parties to problem-solve issues related to training and employment.
• Practice positive reinforcement techniques with students, co-workers, and other staff.
• Train students in grooming, hygiene, communication, interviewing, and behavior as they relate to successful employment.
• Provide travel training to the host business and job site when necessary.
• Assist in developing and supporting a Peer Mentor program.
• Assist students in the identification of local colleges and post-high school programs that have strong systems of support for students with disabilities or who may be at risk.
• Provide classroom and individualized activities related to job exploration; job club; transitions after high school; job readiness, socialization, safety, travel training, self-help skills, functional academics, self-advocacy and interview skills.
• Assist families and students in identifying and accessing transition services.
• Support students in exploring postsecondary training options.
• Attends training to become knowledgeable of strategies and current “best practices” in the field of supported employment.
• Provide coaching for students placed in community employment.
• Lead job-related classes including self-advocacy/self-determination.
• Utilize effective job coaching techniques including task analysis, prompts, and fading.
• Provide follow-up and support services as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

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