DES- Career Counselor

Description Career Counselor Position Summary

The Career Counselor / Life Education Instructor is responsible for delivering all components of the Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and Life Education curriculum within The Shop. This position supports KCARC's mission by advocating for and providing opportunities that promote the dignity, respect, and overall well-being of individuals with disabilities and their families. The instructor fosters skill development, independence, and community engagement through person-centered educational and employment-focused services.

• Support KCARC's Quality Management System by continuously striving to improve the delivery of services and programs while meeting or exceeding customer and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrate and promote KCARC's mission and core values through professional conduct, collaborative relationships, honest communication, inclusive decision-making, and shared accountability.
• Provide Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), life skills instruction, and individualized training to assigned participants in accordance with program guidelines and billable service requirements.
• Deliver instruction using least restrictive and least invasive prompting techniques designed to maximize participant independence and self-determination while minimizing reliance on direct staff intervention.
• Maintain flexibility and adaptability in meeting participant needs, implementing individualized goals, and supporting future planning activities for assigned caseloads.
• Complete accurate, timely, and detailed documentation of billable services and participant progress. Maintain an average of 85% client-specific work time weekly, as determined by program needs and the discretion of the Director of Day and Employment Services.
• Assist the Pre-ETS Coordinator in maintaining a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate educational environment.
• Support the implementation of individualized training plans, assessments, task analyses, community resource assessments, and data collection activities to monitor participant progress and outcomes.
• Provide transportation assistance for students and adult participants as needed.
• Administer medications in accordance with agency policies and applicable regulations to meet participant needs.
• Assist participants with personal care and hygiene needs while preserving dignity, privacy, and independence.
• Perform cleaning and facility maintenance duties as assigned by the Pre-ETS Coordinator to ensure a safe and organized environment.
• Comply with all KCARC policies, procedures, work instructions, and regulatory requirements while contributing to quality improvement initiatives and organizational goals.
• Provide appropriate leadership, support daily operations, and assist with facility management responsibilities at The Shop as directed by the Pre-ETS Coordinator.
• Participate in all required staff meetings, professional development activities, and in-service training programs.
• Develop and maintain positive professional relationships with school personnel, the Knox County Special Education Cooperative, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, community partners, and other program stakeholders.
• Foster positive relationships with participants' families, guardians, advocates, and support networks to encourage meaningful involvement in service planning and goal development.
• Safely and frequently lift and move up to 75 pounds independently and assist with lifting items exceeding 75 pounds when necessary.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives.

Additional hours may be required based on program needs, special events, participant schedules, or operational demands. Flexibility in scheduling is expected, and overtime or extended hours may be mandatory when necessary.

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting.
• Ability to safely lift up to 75 pounds independently and over 75 pounds with assistance.
• Ability to transport participants and accompany them during community-based activities as needed.

Professionalism:
Replaced informal phrases such as "Be Flexible, Adaptable, Innovative and Creative!" with competency-based language that reflects professional expectations.

Clarity:
Organized duties into concise, action-oriented statements that clearly define responsibilities.

Consistency:
Standardized…