Job Coach​/DSP

Job Coach/DSP

The Job Coach is responsible for supporting people through their journey to secure competitive employment through extensive job readiness programming and support to maintain employment thereafter. This will pertain to people within the following Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs:
Community Based Pre-Vocation, Pathways to Employment, and Supported Employment. This includes but is not limited to overseeing the work and volunteer schedule for their assigned caseload, positive role modeling, promoting the well-being and independence of people supported, ensuring compliance with regulations and agency policies, and acting as a liaison between participants and employers to support positive working relationships.

Key Responsibilities:

• Case Management:
  Oversee the assigned caseload of people supported in Employment Supports. This includes providing appropriate supervision to ensure the safety and well-being of those you support. This includes completing annual OPWDD assessments to determine progress and employment readiness.
• Service Planning and Coordination:
  Attend and facilitate person centered meetings to collaboratively develop Staff Action Plans for those supported in Employment Supports. Coordinate and/or facilitate support meetings (i.e., Interdisciplinary Team Meetings), as needed. Attend all necessary meetings (i.e. Life Plan Meetings), as needed.
• Relationship Development:
  Develop meaningful relationships with people supported, advocates, employers, and family members by maintaining contact to provide updates on the person's progress in the program as well as conduct any conflict resolution with employers. This includes but is not limited to a variety of different communication methods such as utilizing a communication log, phone calls, texts, in person conversations, etc. Maintain daily communication with support teams as needed.
• Comprehensive Support:
  Offers on-site Job Coaching to support participants in adapting to workplace environments and performing job tasks effectively. Develop strategies to overcome workplace challenges while fostering independence and self-advocacy.
• Travel Training:
  Become certified to travel train and effectively assess and plan the travel training needs of the caseload by completing travel training assessments and conducting specific sessions around supporting people in learning how to commute to and from work and volunteer sites.
• Employer
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Cultivates relationships with employers to create inclusive hiring practices and workplace accommodation. Provide employers with guidance on disability awareness and support the integration of participants into their workforce.
• Documentation:
  Maintain daily documentation of services in the Employee Health Record (EHR) to communicate progress, needs, behavioral incidents, and management concerns. Ensure completion of daily service delivery and monthly summary documentation.
• Communication with Supervisor:
  Ensure ongoing communication with your supervisor during shifts.
• Service/Treatment Plans:
  Adhere to the safeguards, Levels of Supervision, and support response methods outlined in service and treatment plans.
• Financial Recordkeeping:
  Oversee and record expenditures, submit receipts, and handle petty cash for the assigned group.
• Flexibility:
  Be prepared to perform other duties as assigned by supervisors and respond to changes in job responsibilities.
• Technology:
  Stay updated with technological usage, including emails, Paycom, eVero, timekeeping, and password management
• Emergency Response:
  Assist with implementing systems for responding to crises and/or emergencies for people supported.
• Advocacy:
  Advocate for the needs and rights of people supported, ensuring they are receiving adequate services and support as well as fair employment opportunities.
• Reporting:
  Ensure proper reporting, investigation, and review of all incidents related to OPWDD Part 624 regulations and the New York State Justice Center.
• Professional Development:
  Complete all mandatory and assigned training including specific OPWDD/Eleversity required training courses as needed. Take the initiative in asking for support in areas needed.
• All other duties that are deemed necessary by the supervisor.

Job Skills

• Flexibility:
  Willingly adapt to changing programs and person supported needs while maintaining person centered perspective. Handle unexpected situations as needed.
• Time Management:
  Prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently to meet the needs of people supported. Balance administrative responsibilities with direct interactions with people supported.
• Communication:
  Engage in clear and articulate verbal and written communication to foster honesty, transparency, and open dialogue.
• Facilitation of Services:
  Skilled in implementing plans collaboratively and efficiently using participatory planning techniques.
• Organization Participation:
  Demonstrates sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial,…