Job Coach

Job Description

Job Title: Job Coach
Department: Rehabilitation and Workforce
Employee Status: Non-exempt part-time; temporary position;
assignments are Per Diem
Reports to: Director of Career Services
Hourly Range: $25/Hour

Summary

The Job Coach is someone who is committed to the belief that all people who want to work have the right to work. Collaborating with the Workforce Development team at VISIONS, and with employers who have agreed to hire our participants, the Job Coach works with newly hired, legally blind placement participants to insure the satisfaction of both the employer and the new employee. The job coach provides short-term, one-to-one support to the participant while on the job, insuring that the participant understands and can carry out all of their assigned job tasks and is able to be a productive contributor to the organization that hired them. The goal of the person in this role is to assist the participant in transitioning into their new job, being able to eventually perform all work tasks independently.
The job coach will maintain case notes on each of the participants that they are assisting, and report all progress, and any concerns about the participant’s work performance to the workforce team in a timely manner. The ideal candidate will have experience working with legally blind adults.

Most of this job can be performed virtually with approval of immediate supervisor and either COO, CEO or CPO. The Social Worker will be required to meet with participants in person as per participant preference and NYSCB requirements. Site visits to government and other agencies may be required on a case by case basis.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Travel throughout the five boroughs of New York City, or Long Island, or Westchester and the other counties of the Lower Hudson Valley, to different work sites.
  • Provide on-the-job support to recently hired participants who require initial assistance with their assigned job tasks. This may include, but not be limited to, sweeping, mopping, cleaning tables, serving food, arranging items in a supply room, sorting clothing items, etc.
  • Orientation to the work space, which may include but not be limited to finding the supply closet/room, or locating other work spaces within the business/organization.
  • Insure that the participant will be able to perform each of their job tasks safely, efficiently and eventually, completely independently.
  • Show the participant how to perform new job duties, and when necessary, relearn skills previously learned but are being currently done incorrectly or poorly.
  • Inform the workforce team of any issues, either personal, or job-related, which, if left unattended could have an impact on the participant’s ability to keep their job.
  • When necessary, develop alternative methods for the participant to complete tasks that they may be having difficulty with.
  • Work collaboratively with workforce staff, and when necessary, Rehab and Orientation and Mobility staff to develop a plan to fade out the job coach’s presence at the worksite.
  • Assist the participant with initiating and maintaining ongoing communication with coworkers and supervisors.
  • Maintain ongoing communication with the employer, to insure that both the participant and employer’s needs are being met.

Assignment Length

  • Assignment to a particular participant and worksite may vary in length, depending on the type of work, and how quickly the participant becomes proficient and comfortable in the work environment.
  • The participant performs their initial tasks extremely well, and may be given new responsibilities.
  • The employer hires additional participants who may require job coaching services at the worksite.

Qualifications

  1. Minimum of High School diploma, some college is strongly preferred.
  2. Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, barriers to employment faced by individuals with disabilities.
  3. High expectations for success of participants, a positive attitude and ability to think creatively, as well as the desire to motivate participants and promote their abilities.
  4. At least one-year experience working with legally blind individuals is strongly preferred but not necessary.
  5. Willingness to travel throughout Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, the lower Hudson Valley and Long Island as needed. Staff will make every effort to only assign worksites that are within reasonable traveling distance from residence.
  6. Basic computer literacy including word-processing, email, Internet, spreadsheet and data management skills.
  7. Ability to relate well with individuals of different ages, skill level, economic and cultural backgrounds.
  8. Fluency in Spanish or another language is a plus.

How To Apply

Send resume and cover letter to: Deanna Calamusa, Director of Career Services, dcalamusa@visionsvcb.org.

VISIONS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vision rehabilitation and social service agency incorporated in 1926.  VISIONS provides services for blind and visually impaired people of all ages in the Greater New York Metropolitan Area.

VISIONS is an equal opportunity employer.  All job candidates, consultants, volunteers, and interns 18 years of age and older, must consent to a background investigation after a preliminary job offer, references and education verification.