Job Coach

This position is central to encouraging and supporting people with developmental delay or diagnosed with a disability (ID/DD) to lead self-directed lives and to participate fully in their community. Implement and augment person-centered plans toward a life of opportunity, well-being, freedom and contribution. Assist people in attaining their goals and making everyday choices around community access and inclusion, personal finances, physical well-being, relationships, employment, and recreation. Position offers opportunities to share personal talents. Requires creativity, excellent communication and a sincere commitment to improving the lives of people with ID/DD. The employee must display professional integrity and encourage and contribute to the mission of Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbara (Alpha) through empowering individuals, supporting families and building community.

A skilled, resourceful, and creative Job Coach should aim to put themselves out of a job. The more effective they are as a trainer, the more independent the participant will become.

The Job Coach is central to Employment Services. The role of the Job Coach is to assist the participant in learning the job requirements, familiarizing with the participant the culture of the business, and facilitating their full integration into the workplace. The Job Coach is not there to relieve the employer/manager from their responsibilities to their employee.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essentials

· Assume ongoing administrative duties as required

· Perform assigned duty responsibilities, i.e., van duty, 1:1 duties, gas vehicles;

· Maintain clean and safe general use areas

· Prepare and maintain a safe, clean, and organized work setting

· Be familiar with current law

· Enhance participants’ functional mobility

· Ensure implementation of individualized participant routines as established by case manager

· Other duties as assigned

On-Going Training

· Stay familiar with all aspects of participants Individual Habilitation Support Plan (IHSP), including behavior challenges, dietary needs, medical needs including allergies, medication, etc.

· Keep up with current developments in the field of developmental disabilities

· Be familiar with community training resources

· Learn, understand and implement Behavioral Intervention plans

· Awareness of Person-Centered Planning, and how such planning is generated and used in day-to-day activities.

Implementation

· Day to day maintenance, implementation and development of assigned curriculum

· Encourage and support participant growth in choice and independent decision making

· Provide participants training in functional work skills and personal habits

· Utilize positive practices as fundamental behavior tool in all instructional settings

Goals

· Understand all aspects of participant outcomes, dreams and desires

· Assist in development of participant outcomes

· Attend Annual meetings with other outside agencies and parties, as requested

Communication

Timely communication between a Job Coach and job developer/case manager is critical to maintain good support for the employee. Because the Job Coach is usually the first to learn about any changes in the participant’s life they must communicate that information to the case manager immediately to ensure that the case file remains current. Proper documentation service is a record for the individual as well as a backup for billing of services. Ensuring accuracy of report content.

· Provide timely written reports containing recommendations for participants.

· Maintain daily and weekly data on participant progress.

· Present written and oral reports in a professional manner.

· Maintain participant timesheets and other relevant data in an organized and confidential manner.

· Communicate day-to-day needs with participant families/care providers to ensure clothing, money, lunch needs, etc. are met as requested.

· Communicate routinely with case manager on participant progress, areas of concern, and curriculum ideas/expansion.

· Provide accurate attendance data.

· Write accurate and timely seizure, incident reports and Case notes

· Communicate relevant and necessary information to co-workers and managers

Documentation

Job Coaches are responsible for the following documents:

· Supported Employment Monthly Job Coach Report DR348 and DR348A (while the participant is funded by DOR)

· Monthly Job Coaching Report for individual and group placement

· Job Coach Service Logs and case notes case magic for individuals or groups, as appropriate

· Provides information to the case manager for the work performance assessment

· Participant Employee Timecards if the participant receives wages through Alpha

HOURS OF WORK

Work hours will be fixed per the demands of the department. Regular attendance, punctuality and diligent work performance are expected and required. Prepare and participate in staff meetings (Departmental or All-Staff), workshops, and program-wide training that promotes professional growth.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

QUALIFICATIONS

The employee must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Appropriate training will be provided where necessary, and specific assistance in refreshing the employee in those areas where appropriate.

· Eligible to work in the United States

· Fingerprint clearance through Department of Justice

· Medical Clearance

· Valid CA driver license, reliable personal vehicle with evidence of insurance

· Basic knowledge of office practices and office equipment

· Ability to safeguard confidential information obtained during employment

· Ability to work both individually and as a team member and prioritize work

· Must be able to establish rapport and communicate with participants of diverse cultural, educational, and mental/physical ability

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High School diploma or a combination of education and experience demonstrating ability to perform essential duties is required. Experience in human services field, preferably working directly with individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities is highly desirable. First-aid and CPR certification.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

The ability to read, write, and speak English clearly is mandatory. The ability to communicate information to other employees, participants, family members as well as management in a clear and concise manner is essential.

REASONING ABILITY

Employee is able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions, either written, oral, or diagram form. Must possess the ability to deal with problems involving several variables in any standardized situation. Must be able to prioritize tasks and activities in a manner consistent with direction from supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The employee must have the upper body strength to be able to safely lift and/or move up to 35 lbs. unassisted. Employee must be able to bend, squat, push, pull and climb stairs.

The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to handle or feel equipment, paper, or files. The employee must be able to operate a computer keyboard as well as see a computer monitor display screen. The employee must be able to operate a smart phone. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

This position requires the manual dexterity and adequate vision to read written materials, enter data into a computer, adequate hearing and verbal communication skills to conduct conversations (in person or on the telephone) and interact with staff and others to perform duties.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is dependent on the work area for the participant served, which includes indoor and outdoor areas in the community or at one of Alpha’s various facilities. The ability to move within all of these areas is required in the execution of the employee’s functional activities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment and the illumination of the work area will vary.