Job Coach

ZABS Place; Matthews (NC); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

ZABS Place in Matthews, NC is seeking a Job Coach to work with 3-5 young adults per shift, helping them develop work skills and independence while the store operates.

You will observe, coach, and support multiple learners with varying needs, documenting progress and refining coaching approaches. This is a nonprofit setting focused on potential and growth.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of experience in teaching, coaching, mentoring, or related fields.
• Passion for supporting individuals with developmental differences.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Patient, empathetic, and positive attitude.

Responsibilities

• Observe and coach interns and employees to build skills.
• Document progress and share with Training Team.
• Support job placements and refine coaching approaches.

Skills

Coaching

Communication

Empathy

Patience

Job description

About Us:

ZABS Place is an employment training center and upscale thrift boutique in downtown Matthews. We're a non-profit focused on one core belief: Seeing potential in everyone and everything. We create meaningful training and employment opportunities for young adults with intellectual and developmental differences, helping them build real workplace skills through hands-on work in our store and warehouse. Our team members rotate through different departments as they learn and discover their passions and talents.

The Role:

As a Job Coach supporting ZABS Place Interns and Employees, you’ll work directly with 3-5 young adults per shift, providing coaching and support as they develop their skills and increase their independence at work.

This is not a 1:1 coaching role. You'll need to juggle multiple people with different learning and communication styles, who work at different paces and need varying types of support—all while the store is operating with customers. You'll focus on building problem-solving and increasing independence but stay present enough to observe and support if they get stuck.

This role requires:

• Being on your feet, planning, and being ready to adapt in the moment
• Multitasking and managing multiple priorities simultaneously
• Flexibility and comfort with change—processes will evolve
• A willingness to learn and embody the ZABS Place training and coaching approach
• A “working interview” to observe our environment, work with our Talent, and get a real feel for the role

What You’ll Do:

1. Observe & Coach

• Identify opportunities to match young adults with work that aligns with their interests and abilities
• Recognize when someone has mastered a skill and is ready for more independence

2. Communicate & Refine Systems

• Document progress and observations to share with Training Team
• Communicate successes and areas where support is needed
• Help develop and refine coaching approaches and in-store systems
• Make recommendations for Job Placements

What We're Looking For:

• 1+ year of experience in a related field: teaching, coaching, mentoring, working with individuals with intellectual and developmental differences, or similar skill‑building environments
• A genuine passion for working with and supporting the individuals we serve—not just pursuing a paycheck
• Healthy interpersonal and communication skills with all team members and customers
• Patience, empathy, and a positive attitude

What Will Help You Succeed Here:

• Strength‑based mindset: You naturally notice what people are good at and build on it, rather than only focusing on areas of weakness
• Ability to hold multiple perspectives: You can coach different people with different needs simultaneously and keep everyone engaged
• Comfort with startup reality: You're excited by growth, changing processes, and contributing to the team and systems
• Curiosity about the mission: You're genuinely interested in understanding ZABS Place's approach and learning from our team
• Real‑time problem solving: You can adapt on the fly and think creatively about coaching in the moment

Our Culture

We believe in inclusion, ability awareness, and personal growth. We recognize and celebrate what people CAN do. We work as a team to create a space where everyone—trainees, team members, and customers— is valued for their unique contributions.

If you're the kind of person who sees potential in others and wants to help them discover it in themselves, we want to meet you.

Location: 100 N. Trade St, Matthews, NC

Hours: Sunday, 12-6pm, Monday-Thursday, 10am - 6pm (some flexibility is possible but not guaranteed)