Project Search Skills Trainer

Archoward; Ellicott City (MD); On-site; USD 42,981,000 - 63,039,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arc of Howard County is seeking a dedicated intern-support facilitator to guide students through Project SEARCH. You will mentor interns during the school year, assist with data collection, and help match interns to departments by teaching essential tasks and creating task analyses.

Responsibilities include coordinating training, updating resumes, and liaising with mentors and employers to ensure successful internships and transitions into employment opportunities.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Two or more years of related experience and/or training.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and writing) and the ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations.
• Comfortable in identifying and incorporating new technology solutions.
• Calm under pressure, positive, team-oriented attitude.
• Committed to The Arc of Howard County's mission.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Support interns in current Project SEARCH class during the school year (August-June).
• Assist daily data collection on skills required for internships and matching between interns and departments.
• At the start of each internship, systematically teach essential tasks/duties/core skills to the intern (check for accuracy in task completion, provide any accommodation that may be necessary).
• Create visual or written task list for each intern outlining all job tasks required.
• Complete a task analysis for each internship, breaking down tasks into individual steps.
• Build natural support at the internship site to reduce the amount of time spent with each intern as core skills are developed.
• Check-in and communicate regularly with department mentor/co-mentor regarding intern progress, work together to teach new skills as the intern masters essential job functions.
• Collect quarterly data on student performance related to transition goals, vocational IEP goals, and DORS progress reports.
• Assist with interview preparation (including mock interviews, job trials for internship matching etc.).
• Assist Project SEARCH Manager to update and record notes on job development planning. document for each intern during all employment planning meetings.
• Coordinate travel training with interns and apply for community-based transportation options to utilize after Project SEARCH.
• Work with Project SEARCH staff to assess student skills and complete the Vocational Fit.
• Assessment to create an accurate skills profile of the intern/job seeker (at beginning of school year for baseline data and during each internship).
• Conduct job development and job search activities with interns, business tours etc. coordinated with Project SEARCH Manager.
• Update resume with intern at the conclusion of each internship during workshop week.
• Outreach to local employers to learn about business needs, describe support offered by the program and intern strengths relevant to the business.
• If an intern is hired during the school year, assist with onboarding and new employee training/orientation.

Skills

Communication

Technology literacy

Teamwork

Calm under pressure

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

• Support interns in current Project SEARCH class during the school year (August-June).
• Assist daily data collection on skills required for internships and "matching" between interns and departments.
• At the start of each internship, systematically teach essential tasks/duties/core skills to the intern (check for accuracy in task completion, provide any accommodation that may be necessary).
• Create visual or written task list for each intern outlining all job tasks required.
• Complete a task analysis for each internship, breaking down tasks into individual steps.
• Build natural support at the internship site to reduce the amount of time spent with each intern as core skills are developed.
• Check-in and communicate regularly with department mentor/co-mentor regarding intern progress, work together to teach new skills as the intern masters essential job functions.
• Collect quarterly data on student performance related to transition goals, vocational IEP goals, and DORS progress reports.
• Assist with interview preparation (including mock interviews, job trials for internship matching etc.).
• Assist Project SEARCH Manager to update and record notes on job development planning. document for each intern during all employment planning meetings.
• Coordinate travel training with interns and apply for community-based transportation options to utilize after Project SEARCH.
• Work with Project SEARCH staff to assess student skills and complete the Vocational Fit.
• Assessment to create an accurate skills profile of the intern/job seeker (at beginning of school year for baseline data and during each internship).
• Conduct job development and job search activities with interns, business tours etc. coordinated with Project SEARCH Manager.
• Update resume with intern at the conclusion of each internship during workshop week.
• Outreach to local employers to learn about business needs, describe support offered by the program and intern strengths relevant to the business.
• If an intern is hired during the school year, assist with onboarding and new employee training/orientation.

Description

Duties during School Session:

• Support interns in current Project SEARCH class during the school year (August-June).
• Assist daily data collection on skills required for internships and "matching" between interns and departments.
• At the start of each internship, systematically teach essential tasks/duties/core skills to the intern (check for accuracy in task completion, provide any accommodation that may be necessary).
• Create visual or written task list for each intern outlining all job tasks required.
• Complete a task analysis for each internship, breaking down tasks into individual steps.
• Build natural support at the internship site to reduce the amount of time spent with each intern as core skills are developed.
• Check-in and communicate regularly with department mentor/co-mentor regarding intern progress, work together to teach new skills as the intern masters essential job functions.
• Collect quarterly data on student performance related to transition goals, vocational IEP goals, and DORS progress reports.
• Assist with interview preparation (including mock interviews, job trials for internship matching etc.).
• Assist Project SEARCH Manager to update and record notes on job development planning. document for each intern during all employment planning meetings.
• Coordinate travel training with interns and apply for community-based transportation options to utilize after Project SEARCH.
• Work with Project SEARCH staff to assess student skills and complete the Vocational Fit.
• Assessment to create an accurate skills profile of the intern/job seeker (at beginning of school year for baseline data and during each internship).
• Conduct job development and job search activities with interns, business tours etc. coordinated with Project SEARCH Manager.
• Update resume with intern at the conclusion of each internship during workshop week.
• Outreach to local employers to learn about business needs, describe support offered by the program and intern strengths relevant to the business.
• If an intern is hired during the school year, assist with onboarding and new employee training/orientation.

Duties During Non-School Session Hours

• Work collaboratively with Planning Specialists, Employment Manager, families and persons supported.
• Utilize VR funding from DORS for job development (short-term job coaching, interviewing assistance etc.).
• Develop positions for interns who are unemployed at the end of the program.
• Provide follow-along support to interns who were hired during the school year.
• Attend all PCP meetings and complete all required documentation related to implementation of the plan (i.e. monthly attendance, ICM documentation, etc.).
• If competitive employment has not been secured before the start of DDA funding, transition the person supported to another Employment Specialist.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Two or more years of related experience and/or training.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and writing) and the ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations.
• Comfortable in identifying and incorporating new technology solutions.
• Calm under pressure, positive, team-oriented attitude.
• Committed to The Arc of Howard County's mission
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook.