Employment Program Coordinator & Trainer

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide supervision and guidance to employees and trainees in the Aspire WORKS Program on-site, virtually, and off-site at business partner locations.

Coordinator will:

·         Ensure all prerequisites are met to complete the program and will work with employers to develop new and existing partnerships.

·         Will work with other Aspire staff in the best interest of the trainee to develop a plan of action and follow-up.

·         Will work to develop, certify, staff, and promote 3 new businesses (Catering. PRSS Training, PRSS Contracting) created by Aspire that will support the training efforts implemented by the Aspire WORKS staff recovery to work employment program.

·         Will develop new business hiring contacts, coordinate new and current partner efforts

·         Develop and implement marketing strategies and coordinate all community efforts, and wraparound services. 

·         Will provide classroom and individual teaching components consisting of but not limited to resume building, interview skill building, interview etiquette, online job search training, job application assistance.

·         Quarterly contacts with business partners to discuss issues, concerns, successes, and failures.

·         Consistent follow-up with trainees at employment sites to ensure success.

·         Act as liaison between Aspire WORKS and local and statewide businesses and employment agencies to develop effective job placement sites and identify workforce needs.

·         Will lead health education events and community engagement activities.

·         Will guide, direct, assist, and prompt participants in all aspects of training programs and technology center. 

Knowledge Required by the Position

a. A broad knowledge of the Recovery process and the ability to facilitate recovery using established standardized support.

b. Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in basic problem-solving strategies to support individual clients in self-directed employment and community reentry.

c. Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental illness (auditory and visual hallucinations, aggressive talk and behavior, thoughts of self-harm or harm towards others, isolation) and the ability to assist the individual in seeking internal and external sources of support.

d. Knowledge and skill sufficient to use community resources necessary for independent

living and the ability to teach those skills to other individuals in recovery.

e. Extensive experience in providing group and individual educational sessions with formalized plans and evaluation of preparedness.

f. Comfort with public speaking and fielding questions regarding all aspects of the Aspire and WORKS program.

g. Strong background in coaching individuals for success and able to positively reinforce when a rare failure or setback occurs.

h. Ability to encourage individuals who may become frustrated at the lack of experience and knowledge of work or reentry program requirements.

i. Strong planning and documentation skills.

SUPERVISION

The Employment Program Coordinator is administratively assigned to the WORKS (Worthwhile Opportunities for Recovery Knowledge & Support) Program which is funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission and will receive supervision from the Chief Executive Officer of the program. The supervisor provides continuing assignments and indicates generally what is to be done in accordance with the grant requirements.  The grant is a multi-county undertaking that will require travel and community/business engagement in Monongalia, Marion, Preston, Taylor, Barbour, Boone, Braxton, Calhoun, Roane, Tyler, Upshur, Wirt, Webster, and Wetzel counties in West Virginia.

The incumbent is expected to handle routine duties independently and is expected to establish common priorities for his/her assignments. Group teaching and facilitation work may be performed with the assistance of the supervisor or other team members. Work is reviewed by the supervisor to ensure that it is technically correct and that it conforms to established policies and previously given instructions. Assignments that are routine and repetitive are not reviewed by the supervisor unless there are problems. Work that is new or requires deviations from previous assignments is discussed with the supervisor who provides detailed instructions on how work is to be accomplished or assigns another team member to assist. The incumbent will follow all legal and medical policies as mandated by Aspire Services Center and its WORKS Program.

EDUCATION

4 Year College Degree Required

Teaching or Instructional, Public Speaking, Employment Services, Outreach, & Networking Experience A PLUS