Description

Vocational Specialist (Job Coach) - Poughkeepsie

Pay Rate: $16.25 to $18.25per hour

Abilities First, Inc., has been making a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities for almost sixty years. We offer a wide variety of services including school and preschool programs, day habilitation, residential habilitation, community habilitation, and employment services.

Abilities First recognizes the value of diverse experiences, identities, and backgrounds, and does not discriminate in hiring. We are inclusive, welcoming, and supportive of people of varying abilities, races, ethnicities, religions, socio-economic status, gender, and gender identities. Abilities First is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Abilities First is seeking a full time Vocational Specialist. This position is responsible for training, supervision, and ensuring quality performance of assigned employees (persons receiving services) in community job sites in a positive and creative manner.

Schedule: Monday-Thursday 7:30a-5p Friday 8a-12p

Monday-Friday 9;30a-6:00p

Position Standards

· Responsible for quality control of all work performed at the job site.

· Augments production as needed or requested.

· Provides coverage for other Vocational Specialists as directed.

· Assumes responsibility for training, supervision and coordination of services to ensure reaching individual goals and the achievement of independence in each employee’s work setting.

· Be familiar with each employee’s work goals, SE Plan, and safeguards.

· Attends all relevant case reviews, in-services and all other necessary meetings.

· Observes the employee’s activity, behavior and progress. You are required by OPWDD regulations to document the employee’s progress daily and monthly.

· Analyzes all skills to be taught and teach through recommended training techniques.

· Responds in a positive manner to employer’s requests for additional support and retraining.

· Advocates for each employee’s ongoing success in a positive, creative and pro-active manner.

· Includes driving responsibilities to transport people we serve on a daily basis.

· When between assignments or during other periods of down time, takes on tasks as directed by supervisor: assuring accurate completion of all documentation for which they are responsible, lends support to other staff members of this department which may mean assisting at a job site, lends support to other departments in an effort to assist people we serve with skill acquisition.

· Ensures all required trainings and certifications required are current, and seeks further support and training where needed.

· Adhere to agency Code of Legal and Ethical Behavior, which require all employees, consultants, board members, volunteers and affiliates to perform their responsibilities according to ethical and legal standards with honesty, integrity, fairness, good faith and respect for others and the law.

· Follows all agency policy and procedures and demonstrates continuous regard to personal safety and the safety of others.

· Performs other appropriate job related activities as requested by your supervisor or as circumstances warrant.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.

Unless reasonable accommodations can be made, in order to perform the essential functions of this job, an individual shall be required to:

1. Have the ability to lift up to 50 lbs., bend, squat, bend the knees, pivot and grasp with both hands (in order to properly and safely perform the techniques taught in CPR/First Aid, behavior intervention techniques, and lifting and carrying techniques).
2. Assist individuals in ambulation by providing physical assistance, which may include pushing of wheelchairs.
3. Have the ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
4. Possess verbal and written communication skills, in English, to ensure adequate regulatory documentation.

This is a full-time position eligible for these benefits:

• Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday time off
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance options
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Employer paid life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Increased earning potential with online training through College of Direct Support
• On Demand Payment – access your earnings as early as the next day
• Discounts with Verizon, AT&T, Royal Carting, etc.
• And More!

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum one year experience supporting individuals in a vocational setting preferred; experience may be required based on program funding.
• Possess verbal and written communication skills in English to ensure adequate regulatory documentation.
• Have the ability to stand and walk for long periods of time
• Have the ability to push and pull adults in wheelchairs, lift, bend, squat, turn in the knees, pivot and grasp with both hands (in order to properly and safely perform the techniques taught in CPR/First Aid, behavior intervention techniques, and lifting and carrying techniques), with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• Valid NYS driver's license deemed acceptable by our insurance carrier