Youth Programs Support Specialist Job Scottsboro Tennessee USA,Education / Teaching

Location: Scottsboro

Description

Responsibilities and Duties: Working under the direction of the Employment Specialist Supervisor (Youth), the Youth Programs Support Specialist provides supplemental support to the Project SEARCH Skills Trainer role while collaborating with the Project SEARCH Lead Instructor, partnering school system(s), host business sites, and the Millar Rich Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) team to support the development and delivery of youth employment services.

This role assists in facilitating the Project SEARCH internship program at identified sites, including recruiting and selecting interns, developing and implementing employment-focused curriculum, providing skills training and performance feedback using data-driven strategies, participating in employment planning meetings, and identifying community partners to support competitive, integrated employment outcomes. In addition, the Youth Programs Support Specialist supports the delivery of Pre-ETS in school and community-based settings, including co-developing and presenting pre-employment curriculum, coordinating classroom sessions, participating in weekly planning meetings, completing required documentation, engaging in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and transition events, and assisting in the development of community-based work experiences aligned with student goals.

Millar Rich is a trauma-informed organization that values empathy, open communication, and respectful collaboration. The Youth Programs Support Specialist demonstrates a strong awareness of how trauma can impact individuals and communities and approaches their work with compassion, cultural humility, and a commitment to inclusivity.

Specific duties may include:

Provides individualized support to interns and students to develop soft skills, work readiness, and competitive, marketable skills. This includes systematic instruction, task analysis, building natural supports, developing accommodations, identifying appropriate assistive technology, and facilitating skill development in both internship and classroom-based pre-employment services;

Communicates effectively with the Project SEARCH Lead Instructor, Project SEARCH Skills Trainer, host business site personnel, family members, and school and agency personnel as it relates to:

Educating and preparing students for their transition out of high school;

Training and preparing interns for employment as part of the internship program;

Problem solving issues related to training and employment;

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.);

Identifying and introducing accommodations and/or technology solutions into classrooms and internship rotations;

Identifying and negotiating new internship rotations within the host business site;

Coordinating Pre-ETS sessions with partnering schools and community-based transition programs;

Educating parents/guardians/caregivers on benefits, supplemental programs, and long-term support options.

Performs specific task analysis, especially when student or intern is challenged to learn and perform tasks to a productive and quality level, and provides direct feedback to ensure growth is occurring;

Assists with vocational and situational assessments to determine participant strengths, preferences, and support needs, informing appropriate internship placements and Pre-ETS service planning;

Carries out job coaching and instructional strategies aligned with Project SEARCH and Pre-ETS models, incorporating person-centered teaching, employment-focused curriculum, self-advocacy training, and work-readiness instruction. This includes co-developing and delivering lessons, activities, and resources across both settings;

Practices and models positive reinforcement techniques with interns, students, staff, and workplace personnel to promote engagement, skill development, and professional behavior;

Provides training in areas such as grooming, hygiene, communication, interviewing, transportation, and workplace behavior as they…