COMMUNITY COACH

DEFINITION:

Under supervision of Shore's Director of Transition Services, the Community Coach prepares secondary level students and young adults with disabilities for life after high school, including work, higher education or career training and community life as well as independent living skills.

This role involves collaborative transition planning focusing on students’ personal vision for their future. The position involves mentoring, establishing potential internships, searching for and supporting competitive employment, helping students develop interview skills, resumes, community networking and community-based work learning experiences that support student progress toward self-determination, independent living skills and college, career, and future-readiness.

This is a full-time, year round position.

Hours and location will vary based on the needs of the students, but will include school hours with some evenings and weekends as needed. Location will be in the Greater Boston area.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Supports students as they explore and determine personal vision, talents, skills, assets, employment interests and potential career and community opportunities.
• Establishes job and career training sites.
• Organizes tours of training and higher education sites.
• Participates in school & community partnerships with local employers and community organizations maintaining ongoing, sustainable relationships and placements.
• Observes mandates and procedures.
• Acts as a model for and helps guide healthy strategies for students.
• Matches student vision and interests with employer and community-based needs.
• Provides encouragement, mentoring, and monitoring for students across settings.
• Works with small group or individual students in developing future readiness skills – ie: personal transition portfolios, writing resumes, completing applications, practicing ‘soft-skills’ such as organizational and communication skills, attending college tours, career fairs, in-person and virtual supports.
• Communicates and collaborates with teachers, families, school and outside agencies to support student skill building and progress. 
• Participates in person-centered-planning transition meeting

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Inclusive and Equitable Practices for Individuals with Disabilities 
• Strategies For Encouraging/Supporting Student/Young Adult Self-Determination and Personal Visions for the Future 
• Transition, Vocational Skill and Competency Assessments
• Skill-Building Strategies to support Young Adults with a Variety of Learning Profiles
• Public transportation, for travel training purposes

Ability to:

• Perform physical, clerical and/or technological tasks necessary for supporting students at employment sites.
• Participate in in-service orientations, trainings, education, conferences, and/or formal instruction related to job assignment, as well as share expertise in workshops, seminars, and consultations
• Maintain cooperative, collaborative, professional relationships with students, families, schools, communities, employers, agencies, and higher education networks

EXPERIENCE:

• At least three (3) years of successful experience in workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, job development, job coaching, and/or community-based skill-building for young adults with varying abilities and disabilities.

EDUCATION:

• High School Diploma/GED and some college required
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred

LICENSE REQUIRED:

• Valid MA Driver’s License and Satisfactory Driver’s Record and ability to transport students, as needed