Job Coach II

Our Company: Are you ready to Achieve with The Arc Erie County and work in a purpose driven field dedicated to those we support? We are compassionate, flexible, helpful, and have the unique privilege of building relationships with people and their families, who rely on our expertise to assist them in the discovery and delivery of life-long educational, employment, vocational, residential and support programs and resources.

Our Position: We are currently seeking a Job Coach II who will assist a caseload of people with developmental disabilities with being an active member of their community and maintaining their employment. We make money while helping others make money! Other duties include:

• Assists a caseload of individuals with securing and/or maintaining their employment, including working one-on-one with individuals in Hamburg NY and Buffalo NY in employment settings as a role model and mentor
• Completes documentation of services and tracks information to better assist an individual with meeting their employment goals
• Acts as a liaison between an individual, their support team, their employer, and The Arc Erie County

Our Rate of Pay: $19.00/hour (40 hours per week; flexible schedule); additional $0.58/mile for travel to and from community employment sites

Our Benefits: What can The Arc Erie County offer you? An affordable benefit package (medical, dental and vision), great Paid Time Off, a 403b Retirement Plan, a quality work/life balance, opportunity for growth, unique workdays, energizing and purpose driven work, the joy of watching others accomplish their goals, and being part of a dynamic, engaging, and fun team.

Our Requirements:

At least one year experience in the human service field.

Associate degree or higher in Human Services, Business, or a closely related field plus (3) yrs of full-time paid direct service experience with persons with developmental disabilities. Prior vocational or pre-vocational experience preferred OR

High school or equivalent diploma plus (5) years full-time paid direct service experience with persons with developmental disabilities. Prior vocational or pre-vocational experience preferred.

PLUS

Valid NYS Driver’s License & approved driving record w/ reliable transportation. Will be required to use personal vehicle to travel to worksites throughout the WNY area. Must be flexible in schedule to accommodate a variety of work placements. Computer knowledge is preferred as extensive documentation is completed.

Full Job Description is listed below:

Job Title: Job Coach II

Department: Vocational and Employment Services

Job Grade: 3

Position Summary:

The Job Coach II works one-on-one with employed developmentally disabled individuals as a role model and mentor. Facilitates the attainment of the individual’s vocational potential, which includes the maintenance of performance standards required by employers. Offers training and support to non-employed Individuals including job development. Acts as a liaison between Individual, employer and Allentown Industries. The Job Coach II develops an individual service strategy to address the employment needs of Individuals on their caseload. This includes, developing an individualized program plan consistent with the individual’s skills, needs, preferences and valued outcome; monitoring the implementation of the plan; developing a monthly summary of employment service the persons response to the services; conducting a semi-annual case reviews; revising the plan and objectives as needed. In completing these duties, the Job Coach II will provide occasional counseling and supports, and secure non-work-related supports by referral to appropriate programs within The Arc Erie County New York or in the community.

Reporting Relationship:

The Job Coach II receives service supervision from the designated Coordinator of OPWDD Employment Services.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Makes face-to-face worksite visits to assess job stability/performance and progress in attainment of specific goals.
• If the person is not working for whatever reason, including a leave of absence, the Job Coach II will continue to make face-to-face visits with the individual for continuity and job development purposes.
• Meets with the person’s employment supervisor as needed, but at least once a month, to discuss performance/progress and to obtain a written evaluation on either a quarterly/ yearly basis depending on the Individuals program. Reviews the evaluation with the Individual.
• Defines and implements specific vocationally orientated goals and assesses their progress on an ongoing basis.
• Verbally reports, out of the ordinary, observations made at worksites to the Coordinator of OPWDD Employment Services within one (1) working day of the visit.
• Complete OPWDD approved Innovations Training in time frame allotted
• Completes written reports according to program procedures and submits written reports (progress notes and monthly summaries for each person) to the Coordinator. Must have the ability to write clearly using proper grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Develops a task analysis in a timely manner reflective of job duties and modifies job requirements/duties as they evolve. Task analysis needs to be reflective of employers' expectations while sufficiently detailed to provide the employee clear direction in completing job duties.
• Provides training to ensure persons stability and/or to accommodate changes in job requirements, as needed.
• Investigates and implements safe and efficient use of transportation systems for the employee(s) which includes mobility training.
• Transports the individual for pre-employment activities, for employment, or for other appropriate needed services.
• Provides intensive Job Coach services when a person starts a new job, is assigned new duties or otherwise needs intensive services to maintain their job.
• Represents program in a positive manner and presents to employer and employee an appropriate image to suit various job environments.
• Assist the employee in the process of integrating into the workforce through utilizing natural supports and assisting in active social participation with co-workers in both on and off-site activities.
• May be required to do Job Development for Individuals.
• Develops a Supported Employment Plan when the person enters the Extended Supported Employment Program, or secures a new job in the community. Discusses with the person, supported employment staff, family, advocates and other providers the services needed to develop the extended plan. The plan will be revised as other needs are identified. The focus of the plan will be to identify the employment needs of the person and outline steps to be taken to address barriers to employment. Information utilized in developing this plan will be elicited from the person, Supported Employment staff and, where appropriate, with the persons consent, family, advocates and other service providers of the person.
• Minimally, reviews the Supported Employment Program every six months to assess relevancy, progress or lack of progress on individualized goals, etc. in order to make changes or modifications as needed. Reviews plan more often if needed or if the person or their advocate requests a review.
• Provides direct services as indicated in Supported Employment Program Plan, including individual and group employment services, referral and linkage (including case conferences) to other agencies as needed, consultation to the persons’ family for referral and advocacy.
• Completes the Intensive Request when their Individual becomes unemployed within 45 days to obtain intensive hours to job develop.
• Completes the Extended Request when their individual exhausts their allotted hours for the year (200)
• For individuals in the waiver, coordinates with their care coordinator to ensure that valued outcomes accurately reflect individuals’ needs and desires.
• Ensures there are daily progress notes on objectives in the Supported Employment Program Plan, or a narrative note on services provided, significant events impacting on the person, examples of integration in the workplace or statements by the person concerning their employment and/or career enhancement plans
• Assists in establishing working relationships with community services, referral agencies and supportive services in order to assure the provision of comprehensive services to program participants.
• Maintains required service, statistical and administrative records for individuals on your assigned caseload.
• Participates in staff meetings, group conferences and in-service training; participates in community education activities.
• Assures that there is adequate staff coverage by accepting scheduled duties of office coverage and back-up coverage for another Job Coach II in the absence of that that Job Coach is needed for sufficient program coverage.
• Submit reports in an accurate and timely manner.
• Assists in implementing a Quality Assurance System for Supported Employment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

Associate’s Degree or higher in Human Services, Business or a closely related field PLUS three years of full-time paid direct service experience with persons with developmental disabilities. Prior vocational or pre-vocational experience preferred. Professional certification is desired.

OR

High school or equivalent diploma PLUS five years full-time paid direct service experience with persons with developmental disabilities. Prior vocational or pre-vocational experience preferred. Professional certification is desired.

PLUS

A valid New York State Driver’s License, approved driving record and reliable transportation. Will be required to travel to worksites throughout the WNY area. Must be flexible in schedule to accommodate a variety of work placements.

Essential Job Functions:

• Physical demands and Exposure Risk outlined on attached form (A)
• Mental Requirements:

The ability to read, write, analyze, be perceptive/comprehensive, show good judgment & decision making skills, independent action, planning & prioritizing and follow directions. Work independently as well as cooperatively with others. Be approachable, enthusiastic, personable, work under pressure and meet job-related deadlines accordingly.

• Human Relations Skills:

Ability to interact in a professional manner with staff, families, school personnel, Individuals and business contacts; demonstrate the ability to serve as an appropriate role model to program participants and co-workers. Must have good communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to supervise activities of program participants. Receive supervision instruction in a positive manner. Adhere to and administer Agency’s policies, procedures, rules and regulations. Maintain a professional attitude and appearance at all times.

• Equipment Operation:

The ability to operate household appliances, such as, washer, dryer, stove, etc.; operate office equipment, such as, computer, copier, fax machine, etc.; operate program equipment, such as, lifts, standards, exercise equipment, sensory equipment, etc.; operate agency buses and vans to include use of wheelchair tie down systems; etc.; Use household cleaners, chemicals, and ability to come in contact with normal household dust/dirt.

Agency Principles:

• All staff members will assure and demonstrate the promotion of fundamental rights and protections for the people that we support. These include practices that treat people with dignity and respect at all times, ensure safety, best possible health/well-being and provide the person with continuity and personal security through the use of natural supports, positive relationships and opportunities for integration in the community. Staff members should also advocate and work toward assisting the people we support through person-centered planning to achieve the personal outcome goals that they have chosen by facilitating the plans and positive supports necessary to assist the person in progressing toward each outcome.
• Demonstrates the agency values of integrity, respect, responsibility, trust, teamwork, positive attitude, learning and honesty in working with students (persons), families, colleagues and members of our community.
• Good attendance is vital for the efficient and effective operation of quality programming and is an essential job function of this position.

This position is NON-EXEMPT from the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standard Act.

The Arc Erie County New York retains the right to change this job description at any time.

The Arc Erie County New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and strong advocate of workforce diversity. Minority/Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Disability/Veteran.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $19.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• On-the-job training
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No nights
• No weekends

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

License/Certification:

• NYS Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Hamburg, NY: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (Required)

Work Location: In person