Job Coach, PT

The Job Coach is responsible for assisting work-ready individuals to acquire and maintain competitive employment in the community. Successful candidates will be extremely positive, energetic, and have a passion for helping individuals with Down Syndrome and other special needs to achieve amazing lives including, but not limited to, securing competitive employment.

Job coaches provide ongoing support to individuals working at various employment sites within the community. This support is individualized and centered around work-related goals that focus on helping the consumer obtain the maximum level of independence within their job. The Job Coach must be a skilled communicator, empathetic listener, and excellent problem-solver, with the ability to help clients and their families put plans in place to achieve their desired goals. As a face of the organization, successful candidates will be extremely positive, energetic, and have a passion for helping individuals with Down Syndrome and other special needs to achieve amazing lives.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Meet with the employment team to determine the needs of the consumer
• Consistently model appropriate work maturity skills and hold consumers to the same expectations
• Monitor consumer’s work performance and provide feedback and prompts when needed
• Maintain and model positive professional working relationships with consumers, guardians, and employers
• Promote natural supports and provide training to consumers’ coworkers on the job
• Create visuals other types of accommodations to assist consumer in being successful on the job
• Provide updates to parent/guardian on a regular basis
• Communicate with employers, guardians and consumers when fading on the job begins
• Attend required meetings and in-service training sessions
• Complete job coaching progress notes weekly in an electronic format
• Complete required Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Trainings
• Comply with documentation regulations related to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Maintain close communication with Employment Services Manager

Minimum Qualifications

Interpersonal

• Must be a sensitive and mature individual who is able to relate well to adults
• Demonstrates warmth, insight, interest, and respect for persons with disabilities
• Willingness to accept flexibility with their schedule
• Able and knowledgeable to cope with emergency situations or behavioral situations in a calm and effective manner
• Able and willing to be a team player and to work cooperatively with their supervisor
• Able to communicate effectively with consumers and employers
• Ability to multi task and adhere to timelines set forth for quality management

Education/Experience

• The minimum education level for this job is a high school diploma or equivalent with at least two years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities in a classroom, place of employment, day care, medical or residential setting
• Minimum age is 18
• An associate degree or bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred
• Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle.
• Driving travel time of 30 minutes will be required.
• Applicants must pass a background check that meets State of Wisconsin requirements

Physical and Environmental Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the Job Coach will be required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear clearly. The noise level in the work environment varies from low to high. The job may require the ability to walk, climb stairs, kneel, stoop, and may require the employee to lift and/or move items weighing up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. The job may require extended periods of sitting or standing. The Job Coach may be required to work evenings or weekends and must regularly interact with coworkers and the public.

This Job Coach is responsible for assisting work-ready individuals to acquire and maintain competitive employment in the community. Successful candidates will be extremely positive, energetic, and have a passion for helping individuals with Down Syndrome and other special needs to achieve amazing lives including, but not limited to, securing competitive employment.

Job coaches provide ongoing support to individuals working at various employment sites within the community. This support is individualized and centered around work-related goals that focus on helping the consumer obtain the maximum level of independence within their job. The Job Coach must be a skilled communicator, empathetic listener, and excellent problem-solver, with the ability to help clients and their families put plans in place to achieve their desired goals. As a face of the organization, successful candidates will be extremely positive, energetic, and have a passion for helping individuals with Down Syndrome and other special needs to achieve amazing lives.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Meet with the employment team to determine the needs of the consumer
• Consistently model appropriate work maturity skills and hold consumers to the same expectations
• Monitor consumer’s work performance and provide feedback and prompts when needed
• Maintain and model positive professional working relationships with consumers, guardians, and employers
• Promote natural supports and provide training to consumers’ coworkers on the job
• Create visuals other types of accommodations to assist consumer in being successful on the job
• Provide updates to parent/guardian on a regular basis
• Communicate with employers, guardians and consumers when fading on the job begins
• Attend required meetings and in-service training sessions
• Complete job coaching progress notes weekly in an electronic format
• Complete required Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Trainings
• Comply with documentation regulations related to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Maintain close communication with Employment Services Manager

Minimum Qualifications

Interpersonal

• Must be a sensitive and mature individual who is able to relate well to adults
• Demonstrates warmth, insight, interest, and respect for persons with disabilities
• Willingness to accept flexibility with their schedule
• Able and knowledgeable to cope with emergency situations or behavioral situations in a calm and effective manner
• Able and willing to be a team player and to work cooperatively with their supervisor
• Able to communicate effectively with consumers and employers
• Ability to multi task and adhere to timelines set forth for quality management

Education/Experience

• The minimum education level for this job is a high school diploma or equivalent with at least two years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities in a classroom, place of employment, day care, medical or residential setting
• Minimum age is 18
• An associate degree or bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred
• Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle.
• Driving travel time of 30 minutes will be required.
• Applicants must pass a background check that meets State of Wisconsin requirements

Physical and Environmental Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the Job Coach will be required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear clearly. The noise level in the work environment varies from low to high. The job may require the ability to walk, climb stairs, kneel, stoop, and may require the employee to lift and/or move items weighing up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. The job may require extended periods of sitting or standing. The Job Coach may be required to work evenings or weekends and must regularly interact with coworkers and the public.

The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin's mission is to provide support to Wisconsin families and individuals with Down Syndrome and related disabilities through awareness, education, information, programs, services, and the exchange of ideas and experiences. We promote the value of those with Down Syndrome in our lives and our communities. We continually strive toward full acceptance, full access, full potential and a full life to make Wisconsin the best supported state for people with Down Syndrome and their loved ones.

Compensation

This is a part-time hourly position.

Additional benefits include:

• Flexible schedule
• Access to healthy snacks, bottled water, coffee, and tea at the DSAW office
• Ongoing training opportunities sponsored by DSAW
• Employee referral program (employee will receive $50 if their referral is hired)
• Relaxed dress code at the discretion of your supervisor
• Annual offsite staff team-building activities
• An amazing mission and culture!

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.