Vocational Job Coach, Gengras Center School

This position supports the Gengras Center by providing training and support for students who are participating in vocational experiences at a variety of worksites within the school, on the campus of the University of Saint Joseph and in the surrounding community. The job coach works as a member of the vocational department and works under the direction of the certified special education teachers overseeing the day-to-day functions. The job coach must be able to work effectively with students, families, school personnel, employers, co-workers, and adult service providers. It is essential that the job coach maintains a safe environment, models appropriate skills, and fosters independence, responsibility and self-advocacy.

Effective work relationships:

• Gathers and maintains data about the performance and behavior of individual students and confers with teachers about student schedules, instructional goals, progress and performance.


• Participates as a member of the team responsible for transition planning and vocational assessment for individual students.


•   Communicates effectively in writing to complete paperwork for Child Study Team Meetings, IEPs,


• Summary of Performance documents, Vocational Summaries, etc., as well as verbally during meetings such as PPTs and parent conferences. 


• Provides relevant employment information for inclusion in each student’s vocational portfolio.


• Consults with teachers or vocational teachers to assist with the design of individualized transition and supported employment or other vocational training programs.


• Demonstrates an understanding regarding the roles and responsibilities of teachers, related service providers, teaching assistants, and other Gengras personnel as related to our interdisciplinary approach and team atmosphere.


• Communicates effectively with employers and co-workers to ensure students are integrated and accepted into the work environment.


• Familiarizes employers and co-workers with the special needs of students and models appropriate interactions.


• Identifies and teaches cultural norms of the workplace.

Standards of Conduct:

• Has knowledge of the legal and human rights of students with disabilities and their families.


• Is sensitive to the diversity in cultural heritage, lifestyles, and value systems among students and families they serve.


• Demonstrates the ability to practice the ethical and professional standards of conduct established by the Gengras Center and the state of Connecticut.


• Understands the value of serving students in integrated community settings.


• Maintains professional appearance and attitude.

Planning and Assessment:

• Communicates with colleagues, follows instructions and uses problem-solving and other skills that will enable them to work as effective members of an instructional team.


• Motivates and assists students to build self-esteem and develop interpersonal skills that will help avoid isolation in the workplace.


• Demonstrates the ability to use computers, assistive technology and adaptive equipment that will enable students to participate more fully in school and at the workplace.


• Demonstrates the ability to participate in the pre-employment vocational or transition training in classrooms or at the workplace.


• Analyzes jobs requirements, sequences daily tasks, observes and records data, and provides training at job sites using appropriate instructional interventions.


• Encourages student participation in decision making/self advocacy regarding future career plans.


• Observes, understands, and monitors the student’s preferred learning style, work skills and tolerances, and preferred modes of communication.


• Identifies needed environmental or job modifications for the student to succeed in the workplace.


• Utilizes appropriate instructional techniques including reinforcement, cueing, prompting, modeling, and fading.


• Assists in on-site observations to evaluate job performance.


• Records progress in a consistent manner and shares information with appropriate supervisory personnel.


• Assists students to learn good work habits and perform jobs as specified.

Health and Safety:

• Safely transports students to and from the community job site.


• Follows health, safety, and emergency procedures developed by the Gengras Center and the workplace, and supervises students to ensure their safety.


• Ensures students understand and abide by the health, safety, and emergency procedures developed by the Gengras Center and the workplace.

Positive Work Environment:

• Assists students in strengthening their skills to become more independent by monitoring and supporting positive behavior at the workplace.


• Describes behavior in measurable and observable terms.


• Recognizes environmental factors that may precipitate behaviors and intervenes with appropriate behavior management techniques.


• Develops strategies to support students to acquire positive social behaviors and work habits.


• Identifies strategies that may eliminate interfering behaviors.


• Motivates students to work in a productive and competitive manner.


• Continues to grow professionally by participating in in-service and Staff Development Workshops


• Facilitates and/or participates actively on school committees.


• Performs other duties assigned by the Director/Assistant Director or certified teachers in the vocational department.

Education & Experience

• College degree required with a preferred degree in special education, psychology, social work, vocational education, or related field. 


• At least 3 years of experience working with special needs youth and/or adults.


• Experience with business/industry helpful especially local businesses


• Valid Connecticut driver’s license and public service license with an A Endorsement. If at any time, the endorsement is revoked by DMV or USJ, the employee will no longer be eligible for employment in this position. 

Other Qualifications

• Physical ability to perform essential functions of the position, as noted below, with or without reasonable accommodation.


• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.


• Able to function independently while operating effectively within a team environment


• Possess solid general computer skills, including ability to work in a Windows environment. Proficiency with MS Office Suite, Internet, and other programs as needed (e.g., mail merge, data base management).  


• Excellent oral and written skills and ability to communicate comfortably with students, colleagues, and external constituents


• Demonstrated ability to handle complex and multiple tasks in a professional and efficient manner


• Exhibits a high level of professionalism, leadership, creative problem solving, diplomacy, negotiation and sales skills, and the ability to manage complex projects with minimal supervision


• Professional, courteous demeanor and appearance; ability to engage positively and work professionally with students, faculty, staff and administration and represent the University professionally to the public


• Commitment to the mission of the Gengras Center and the University of Saint Joseph 

The physical requirements and description of the work environment are representative of what an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

(Minimal, Some, Substantial)

Some

Some

Some

Some

Some plus Occasional transfer weight of young adult.

Some

Some

 substantial

Some

 substantial

Some. Physical requirements vary by worksite and student needs.

Gengras to provide training on transfer/lift/escort of students; weight up to young adult.

Some.  Gengras Center to provide training.

Work Environment (a brief description)

Private special education school, University of Saint Joseph, and community job training sites.