Educational Coach (Full-Time) [Monday-Friday (8:00am-4:30pm)] [College To Career Programs]

ABOUT US:

At AbilityFirst, we are dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities achieve their personal best. Our mission is to look beyond disabilities, focus on capabilities, and expand possibilities. We believe in looking beyond disabilities, focusing on capabilities, and expanding possibilities. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to provide programs that assist people with disabilities in achieving their personal best throughout their lives.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Educational Coach will provide coaching, training, and guidance to individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in skills needed for successful post-secondary education or other community integration experiences. Assisting individuals to complete college-level or vocational training with the goal of transitioning into community employment. Approximately 75% of time will be coaching and supporting college/vocational/post-secondary education activities, with the remaining 25% directed to community integration activities, including volunteerism. Primary duties include:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support volunteerism, access, inclusion, transportation skills, and relationship building.

Establish positive, supportive, respectful relationships/interactions with clients.

Become knowledgeable about the clients interests, unique abilities and support needs, and use the insights gained to help clients develop plans, set goals and create solutions.

Demonstrate motivation and enthusiasm in all interactions with clients.

Encourage active participation of clients in all activities with a strong emphasis on promoting independence (allow them to do as much for themselves as possible).

Interact with community members in a way that encourages respectful, age-appropriate treatment of clients, and the building of mutually respectful relationships.

Maintain a calm, supportive and professional presence when interacting with clients, co-workers, and community members.?

Clearly communicate with supervisors/co-workers, and pro-actively address questions/concerns.

Develop positive/respectful relationships with families, and outside agency staff. This includes the ability to be empathetic and sensitive to issues, stressors and external factors, which may impede the parent and care provider’s ability to support clients in a way which matches AbilityFirst’s philosophy. This also includes the ability to be assertive, and strongly advocate for client needs/rights without being aggressive or unprofessional.

Demonstrate an understanding of the big picture and long-term outcomes for clients, with an understanding that an intensive intervention process may need to be implemented, rather than settling for a quick fix.

Demonstrate an ability to assess and problem-solve a situation in the moment, using good judgment, common sense and respect for individual rights and preferences, without having to rely on immediate guidance/advice.

Accept, and effectively process directions, constructive feedback, and training from any leadership/mentor staff, then demonstrate in action and by written product that this was internalized.

Assist in the development/implementation of an Individual Service Plan for each client based on information gathered through Person Centered Planning meetings.

Plan, implement, and support activities/routines with clients, which will assist them in achieving their Individual Service Plan objectives

Document client progress through assessment/data collection instruments.

Maintain and turn in complete, accurate and timely data, progress notes, schedules, and client attendance.

Maintain conscientious, responsible level of supervision for clients to ensure their safety.

Respond appropriately and within AbilityFirst’s policies and procedures to medical, behavioral, and other client emergencies.

Respectfully assist clients with personal care/mobility/toileting/feeding needs as applicable.

Encourage age-appropriate dress, grooming, and hygiene, including coaching on how to meet community employment standards.

Facilitate client self-advocacy and choice-making opportunities, including appropriate risk-taking.

Assist clients in safely accessing a variety of school, volunteer and community locations using public transportation, company, or personal vehicles.

Uphold our commitment as a Mandated Reporter, ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants.

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission of the program and organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

A High School diploma or equivalent is required.

A Bachelor’s Degree in any related field or equivalent experience is preferred.

3 years of college experience is required.

1-2 years of experience providing case management services to individuals with disabilities is preferred.

1-2 years of experience planning, developing, and implementing activities for individuals with disabilities is preferred.

1-2 years of experience of strong office management skills is preferred.

Ability to use computers including word-processing, data entry, and spreadsheet utilization is required.

Ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment is required.

Valid Driver’s License is required.

Ability to work nights/weekends as needed.

Successful completion of background (LiveScan) check.

A working knowledge of development and implementation of person-centered plans for adults with developmental and/or physical disabilities.

A working knowledge of methods transition and integration of adults with disabilities into community settings.

Case management skills.

Demonstrated leadership and team building skills, with ability to influence without authority.

Demonstrated conflict resolution/problem-solving skills.

Personal computer skills including database and word processing.

Very effective oral and written communications skills.

Ability to work independently.