Transition Job Coach

Job Coach – Transition Program

Department: Student Services

Reports to: Transition Specialist/Director of Student Services

SUMMARY OF JOB:  

The  Job Coach will serve as a support and mentor at a variety of community vocational/educational sites.  A diverse and critical array of competencies are required of the  Job Coach including, but not limited to good judgment, common sense, the ability to think on one’s feet and the ability to maintain professional behavior at all times.  

SPECIFIC DUTIES: 

• Supervise and provide work site training to students. Instruct in task analysis, data collection, behavior management strategies, and communication responsibilities as related to specific work sites and work placements in general.
• Work effectively to maintain relationships with students, families, school personnel, employers and co-workers:
• Collect and maintain data and confer with  Special Education Teacher and Transition Specialist
• Participate as a  team member
• Provide relevant employment information for student’s transition portfolio
• Demonstrate an understanding of roles and responsibilities as a NPS Job Coach
• Communicate effectively with employers and co-workers
• Familiarize employers and co-workers with the needs of students and model appropriate interactions
• Educate students about the cultural norms of the specific work environment (e.g., appropriate dress, reporting structure, attendance policies, unwritten policies and procedures)
• Apply professional, ethical and legal standards of conduct in relationships with students, parents, school personnel, adult service providers, employers and co-workers: 

1. Understand the legal rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities and their families
2. Sensitive to diversity in cultural heritage, lifestyles and value systems among students, families and co-workers
3. Demonstrate ethical and professional standards of conduct as established by the Norwich Public Schools
4. Maintains professional appearance and attitude

•  Ability to assist in the assessment, planning, provision and evaluation of instruction: 

1. Communicate with colleagues, follows instructions, uses problem solving techniques and strategies as an effective member of an instructional team
2. Motivates and assists students to build self-esteem and develop interpersonal skills 
3. Demonstrates the ability to use computers and necessary assistive technology and adaptive equipment as needed
4. Analyzes job requirements, sequences daily tasks, observes and records data and provides training at job sites using appropriate instructional interventions
5. Demonstrates the ability to assist in pre-employment, vocational or transition training in the classroom or workplace
6. Encourages student decision-making/self-advocacy 
7. Observes and understands learning styles and differentiates interventions accordingly
8. Identifies environmental or job modifications necessary for students to be successful in the workplace
9. Assists in on site observations to evaluate job performance

• Ability to apply health and safety standards within diverse work environments
1. Follows health, safety and emergency procedures developed Norwich Public Schools and the workplace
2. Ensures that students understand and abide by the health, safety and emergency procedures developed by the Norwich Public Schools and the workplace

• Ability to demonstrate effective communication, conflict resolution and negotiation techniques to facilitate a positive and effective work environment:

1. Assists students to become more independent by modeling, monitoring and supporting positive behavior in the workplace
2. Describes behavior in measurable, behavioral terms
3. Assists students to acquire positive social behaviors and work habits
4. Motivates students to work in a productive and competitive manner

•     The  Job coach will assist with the location of new job sites in conjunction with Transition Specialist.

Physical Abilities and Working Conditions:

The Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Employment listed in this section are representative of, but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Employment that may be required of positions in this class. Norwich Public School District encourages persons with disabilities who are interested in employment in this class and need reasonable accommodation of those disabilities to contact the Human Resources Department for further information.

• Performing the job duties of this position requires the following physical demands: reaching, some lifting, standing, walking, carrying, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, sitting, and/or crawling.
• Move small stacks of textbooks, media equipment, desks, and other classroom equipment
• Must be able to assist in the lifting/carrying of students in excess of 50 pounds
• Occasional exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather

Evaluation:  Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of support services.

Salary : $31