Transitional Alliance Program Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION (Admin Support)

 The TAP specialist will provide training of skills necessary for successful competitive employment and independent living to individuals who qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation services, ages 14 to 25.  The TAP Specialist will provide community-based and school-based support and will work in collaboration with the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) counselor. The TAP specialist is responsible for providing pre-employment transition services (pre-ETS) to individuals and groups. This includes assisting in skill development on and off the work site, job coaching, completing reports and transition assessments and assisting individuals in accessing community resources.

QUALIFICATIONS

The applicant must have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance, a Bachelor of Arts in Education or a Human Services related area is preferred. Preference will be given to applicants with and previous experience in the area of transitioning of individuals into the world of work and who have Job Coaching Certification

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Communicate effectively with TAP participants, their parents and a wide variety of professionals
2. Must have patience and a desire to work with young people with disabilities
3. Must be flexible and able to adjust to unexpected situations
4. Able to develop positive relationships with individuals with a wide range of disabilities and from a variety of socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds
5. Able to transport TAP participants
6. Able to conform to and work within a specific employment plan set up for a TAP participant
7. Able to work independently but under the direction of the TAP Facilitator and in collaboration with the IVRS counselor 
8. Must be self-motivated, organized, punctual, reliable, dependable, able to meet timelines and deadlines and able to move from one duty or activity to the next independently
9. Maintains accurate and current records while effectively utilizing spreadsheets, documents, emails, calendars, Infinite Campus, IVRS case management system, and virtual meeting platforms to complete reports and required documentation efficiently
10. Must have excellent problem solving skills and be able to de-escalate crisis situations as needed
11. Required to attend and actively participate in meetings such as: IEP, IVRS intakes/employment plans/annual reviews, warm hand-offs with college representatives, Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs), and school staff 
12. Must maintain a positive attitude regarding TAP, Vocational Rehabilitation and Waterloo Community School District to schools, families, businesses and the public in general
13. Must have computer skills necessary to perform job searches, assist students with on-line and vocational and educational activities on the computer
14. Assist adult job candidates with securing and maintaining employment, completing college applications, pursuing apprenticeship programs, and exploring additional postsecondary opportunities 
15. Completing reports and participant program goal information
    
16. Promote TAP to Instructional Strategists, school counselors, and families and share TAP forms with staff. 
    
17. Navitigating and updating notes in IRSS, tracking hours on Personal Activity Report (PAR)

DUTIES:

Provide job coaching and training activities on work sites, complete evaluation and exploration activities at job shadowing sites.

Assist participants in learning skills and completing activities necessary to obtain and be successful in competitive employment.  These skills include:

1. Writing resumes
2. Completing job applications
3. Obtaining information on job openings
4. Interviewing
5. Applying to post-secondary training, apprenticeships, and college
6. Responsible for business development efforts to create employment and training opportunities
7. Teaching work etiquette, hygiene skills, and customer service. 
8. Assist with job searching by using multiple employment platforms, including Iowa Workforce Development and other online job search resources
9. Encouraging self-advocacy through utilizing problem solving skills necessary to be successful on the job.

Assist participants in learning skills and completing activities necessary to live independently in the community. These may include:

1. Attaining skills necessary to obtain a driver’s permit
2. Accessing community agencies and support services
3. Completing forms and paperwork as necessary
4. Gaining problem solving skills necessary to be successful in independent living
5. Complete other record keeping and clerical duties. These may include:
6. Answering the telephone, taking messages, scheduling intake and annual review meetings, and sharing information about the program

Salary : $19 - $19