Career Coach

At The Arc Erie County New York, we support children and adults with disabilities and their families in achieving their desired quality of life by creating opportunities through comprehensive quality services.

As a leading agency in Western New York for over 71 years, we take pride in our mission and advocacy that builds and strengthens the entire community.

Come Achieve with The Arc Erie County

Job Summary:

The Career Coach will work one on one with individuals with a disability and provide all aspects of employment services including job readiness, job development, job coaching and job retention services.

Develop career exploration opportunities, job shadows, work-based learning experiences, paid or unpaid internships, and pre-post-employment service planning.

Provide mentorship in preparation for employment and post-secondary options through ongoing communication with their manager and once placed in a position, the Career Coach will be available to both the individual and employer to ensure satisfaction with job placement and provide any support needed to retain the placement.

Develop an individualized employment plan to address employment needs and maintain monthly contact with the individual.

Responsibilities:

• Contacts local businesses and employers to develop work experiences/internships, job shadows, and employment opportunities for students and individuals based on individualized employment goals and transition planning.
• Maintains Department of Labor guidelines for work experiences and career exploration for students and individuals with disabilities
• Meets with individuals as prescribed by their needs. This frequency will vary based on the individuals needs but minimally will be twice a month to provide service delivery activities towards pre- and post-employment goals. Reports progress of meetings to manager on case direction.
• Develops analysis in a timely manner reflective of individual's assigned job duties and modifies job training and duties as they evolve. Analysis needs to be reflective of employers' expectations while sufficiently detailed to provide the individual with clear direction in completing job duties and tasks.
• Provides intensive on-site training when an individual starts a job, is assigned new duties, or otherwise required to maintain employment for a period agreed upon by the manager, employer, and the individual to ensure stability and/or to accommodate changes in job requirements, as needed.
• Makes face-to-face worksite visits to assess job stability/performance and progress in attainment of specific goals. Visit with your individuals onsite minimally twice a month, frequency of visits will vary based upon the individuals and employers needs per month.
• Maintains appropriate communication with parents, teachers, school staff, funders and is in contact with employers to assess individual's progress in their employment.
• Maintains daily communication and contact with their manager regarding any difficulties, progress, problems, and successes with their individual's cases.
• Assists in establishing working relationships with community services, referral agencies and supportive services to assure the provision of comprehensive services to individuals.
• Provides mobility training by investigating and implementing safe and efficient use of transportation systems for individuals throughout all phases of programming.
• Transports individuals in vehicle for pre-employment/employment needs or appropriate support services.
• Ensure there are progress notes written on services provided, including each face-to-face contact, missed appointments, phone conversations with individuals and community-based support, employers, and any issue related to employment.
• Work independently, possess organizational skills and maintain a organized work setting.
• Respond to emails/phone calls in a timely manner
• Notes should be written contemporaneously and within 2 business days.
• Completes all administrative tasks related to individuals case including updating individualized employment plans every 6 months, attending Life Plans, writing monthly summaries, maintaining contact with all parties that are involved in the case.
• Awareness of career development resources to support student understanding of post-secondary and/or employment expectations
• Coordinate meetings with students per service requirement expectations
• Participates in required training as mandated by funding source including CASE trainings, Eleversity trainings, staff meetings, group conferences and in-service training; participates in community education activities.
• Performs other work duties as they relate to the position.

Requirements:

Associate's Degree in Human Services, Business Administration or a closely related field
PLUS one year 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 three 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)

Physical demands on the job are dependent on the position you are training the individual for; job tasks vary as do the physical requirements.

The ability to bend, stoop, squat, kneel, sit, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, climb flights of stairs, and lift/transfer a minimum 50 lbs., as needed.

Ability to carry a minimum of 30 lbs; see, hear, listen, speak clear, have motor coordination; grip strength, eye-hand coordination; physical agility/ability to react to life-threatening emergency or to intervene in a crisis to assure safety of our consumers.

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:

Equipment operation on the job is dependent upon the individual's job description.

Employment Specialists are expected to use a computer for job searching, note writing, database tracking, time clock entry, agency training, email correspondence, and any other use as required.

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.