Job Coach

General Statement of Job

Under occasional supervision, coordinates efforts to assist students in the Educational Therapy Program succeed in moving from the school environment to work environment. Improves the business/community/school relationship by increasing awareness of the benefits, rewards and requirements of working with special-needs students. Reports to the Principal.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions:

• Conducts annual career assessments on each student from 9th- 12th grade, self-contained and resource students.
• Teaches students individually and in groups on work ethics, interviewing skills, job applications, resume' writing, stress management skill, banking skills, time management and soft skills, such as healthy communication and anger management.
• Works with vocational and academic teachers to help integrate vocational and academic skills in the curricula.
• Assists students age 16 and up fill out applications, call and/or visit sites to help get students an interview.
• Attends IEP meetings for Special Educational students.
• Communicates with business leaders to increase awareness of the employment potential of students.
• Coordinates and manages special programs or projects as assigned.
• Prepares and monitors program budget and grants; purchases supplies and equipment as needed.
• Keeps abreast of developments and innovations in the profession.
• Schedule and conduct career assessments for students.
• Monitor and evaluate student training and progress regarding work performance
• Participates on committees, task forces, boards, and student meetings.
• Receives, reviews, prepares and/or submits various records and reports, including various student and program records, student progress reports, grant applications, memos, correspondence, etc.
• Complies with all federal laws, state statutes, Board policies, administrative rules, and directives.

Additional Duties:

• Provides employment awareness opportunities for students, including arranging field trips, securing speakers, etc.
• Coordinates student service projects.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Education and Training
Requires a Bachelor’s degree supplemented by two years of working with special-needs students and/or vocational program development, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides knowledge, skills and abilities.

Minimum Qualifications and Standards Required
Physical Requirements:
Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment, including a computer, telephone, office equipment, etc. Must be able to exert up to five pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time. Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of five to ten pounds.

Data Conception:
Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communications:
Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving assignments and/or directions to students and receiving assignments and/or direction from supervisor.

Language Ability:
Requires the ability to read a variety of laws, policies and procedures, technical and professional studies, budget documents, etc. Requires the ability to prepare records, reports, correspondence, etc. with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence:
Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form. Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Verbal Aptitude:
Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow and give verbal and written instructions; to counsel and teach students. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with persons of varying educational backgrounds and in a variety of technical and/or professional languages, including education, vocational subjects, special education, etc.

Numerical Aptitude:
Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to utilize mathematical formulas, to determine percentages and decimals, and to determine time. Must be able to use practical applications of statistics.

Form/Spatial Aptitude:
Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape, and visually read various information.

Motor Coordination:
Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using office machinery.

Manual Dexterity:
Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, keyboards, office equipment, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination:
Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament:
Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines.

Physical Communications:
Requires the ability to talk and/or hear (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Performance Evaluation Criteria?
Job Knowledge:
Has thorough knowledge of the methods, procedures and policies of the District as they pertain to the performance of duties of the Job Coach. Is knowledgeable in the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Has considerable knowledge of the functions and interrelationships of Richland District One and other governmental agencies. Is skilled in working with special-needs students. Has considerable knowledge of the local job market. Has thorough knowledge of academic and vocational instructional principles, practices and methods. Has knowledge of human growth and development, psychology of learning and curriculum development. Is able to work effectively with people from multi-ethnic and diverse cultural backgrounds. Is able to organize and coordinate the activities of groups toward meeting established goals and objectives. Has the ability to offer guidance and assistance to co-workers and employees of other departments as required. Has the ability to use independent judgment as needed in performing routine and non-routine tasks. Is able to take initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision. Is able to read and interpret professional and technical reports, budget documents, statistical reports and related materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job. Knows how to prepare reports, presentation materials, correspondence, etc. Has comprehensive knowledge of the terminology and various professional languages used within the department. Knows how to maintain effective relationships with personnel of other departments, professionals and members of the public through contact and cooperation. Is able to make sound, educated decisions. Knows how to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations. Knows how to make public presentations. Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Has the ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities. Has good organizational, technical and human relations skills. Has the ability to lean and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency. Has skills in the use of computers.

Quality of Work:
Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interaction with all District departments and divisions, co-workers and the public.

Quantity of Work:
Performs described “Specific Duties and Responsibilities” and related assignments efficiently and effectively in order to produce quantity of work which consistently meets standards and expectations of the District.

Dependability:
Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work. Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives, District policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Remains accountable to assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance:
Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm:
Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountability. Strives to anticipate work to be done, and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment:
Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur, and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice where appropriate and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation:
Accepts supervisory instruction and direction, and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified (i.e., poor communications, variance with District policy or procedures, etc.). Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons and departments within the District.

Relationships:
Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and staff for mutual and district benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all District employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with departmental employees, staff and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the public so as to maintain good will toward the District and to project a good district image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain a good will within the District. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the District. Interacts effectively with higher management, professionals and the public.

Coordination of Work:
Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends required meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.

Safety:
Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the District and various regulatory agencies. Sees that standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.