Vocational Rehabilitation LEAD Trainer

Parents Alliance Employment Project; Winfield (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-based program located in Winfield, IL, is seeking a Program Coordinator to manage the Project SEARCH initiative at a local hospital. Key responsibilities include overseeing program activities, developing job opportunities, providing classroom instruction, and collaborating with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's Degree in a related field and strong skills in communication and organization. Flexibility to accommodate participant needs, including potential evening and weekend hours, is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to adapt curriculum for diverse learning needs.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Project SEARCH activities and develop partnerships.
• Provide classroom instruction and job coaching.
• Conduct outreach to local schools for recruitment.

Skills

Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Excellent organizational skills

Ability to self-direct

Computer skills

Independent work ethic

Sound judgement

Education

Bachelors’ Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Education, or related field

Job description

Purpose of Position: To work in collaboration with the designated Employability Instructor (SASED) to oversee the Project Search Program at Business Host Site, Central DuPage Hospital that will include:

1)Coordinating related activities as it relates to Project SEARCH at Central DuPage Hospital

2) Developing and recruitingparticipants for the program

3) Providing classroom instruction (when needed)

4) Developing a strong business partnership with the host site, Central DuPage Hospital and its department managers

5) Conductingparticipant activities as it relates to the program

6) Placing participants into internships and providing necessary job supports to ensure success

7) Providing supervision to staff assigned at the Central DuPage Hospital Project SEARCH program.

Primary Duties:

Coordination of Activities:

• Attend all appropriate Project SEARCH team meetings
• Work with SASED Employability Instructor and Senior PS LEAD to develop and maintain program calendar; ensure that the calendar is disseminated to all necessary parties
• Report any necessary repairs/issues to host business liaison
• Keep adequate supplies available to function efficiently
• Follow PAEP and Northwestern Medicine’s procedures in regards to all internal policies
• Adheres to and promotes safety standards (i.e. fire, tornado, accident reports, etc.) and acts on the legal responsibilities concerning the safety and welfare of the program participants
• Collect data on student outcomes including jobs gained, wages, hours worked per week, benefits, etc. and enter into the National Project SEARCH database.

Development and Recruitment:

• Work with business host liaison to develop marketing materials; create brochures and other informational marketing materials
• Work together with the SASED Employability Instructor and Senior PS Lead to schedule, plan and implement Open House events to publicize the program and recruit potential students
• Attend and lead presentations at all open houses and other meetings to market the program
• Conduct outreach to local area high schools to provide information on the program; establish relationships with local high schools
• Conduct outreach to local Division of Rehabilitation Services to provide information on the program and establish relationships to ensure appropriate referrals to the program
• Assist with the selection and interview process of identifying appropriate participants with disabilities for the program that meet eligibility

Providing Classroom Instruction:

• Be familiar with the curriculum developed by the SASED Employability Instructor
• Assist with providing classroom instruction; Instruct students on employability skills such as communication, problem solving, teamwork, grooming, budgeting and self-advocacy; correlate instructional content with participant’s career objectives in the event the Employability Instructor is absent

Business Development:

• Identify and develop internship sites within Central DuPage Hospital; work with business host liaison to perform specific job analysis, task analysis to identify and provide participants a variety of work experiences in order to build marketable, competitive skills leading to employment
• Coordinate internal job placement opportunities within the host business
• Communicate regularly with business host liaison
• Provide disability awareness training as requested to any host site department

Conducting Participant Activities:

• Work with SASED Employability Instructor to conduct intake meetings to assess participant’s general needs and employment goals, career interests, and personal job preferences to match and determine appropriate department internship placement and individual learning styles
• Work with SASED Employability Instructor to collaborate with team members to develop and modify employment goals and objectives; ensure goals/objectives are outcome based and measurable. Work with SASED Employability Instructor to monitor and record daily attendance at work sites, teach students to independently inform departments of absences/tardiness
• Work with SASED Employability Instructor to plan and implement monthly employment planning meetings that will include goals and progress status for each participant;
• Coordinate travel training (when appropriate) through public transportation or teach students to be able to access private transportation independently
• Develop work portfolios for each student to include credentialing of skills attained, letters of recommendations from internship sites, etc.

Internship Placement and Providing Job Coaching/Supports:

• Identifying internship sites; place and determine internship and participant match for each round of internships
• Attend job orientation with participants and clarify job information with participant as necessary
• Learn the internship duties and make appropriate accommodations, adaptations, or modifications (labeling cabinets, simplify written instructions, etc.) necessary to ensure successful independent completion of the job on behalf of the participant at work sites
• Provide individualized job coaching by use of systematic instruction to the participant; collect data on tasks achieved and track independence levels
• Teach the essential tasks/duties/core skills of the internship job
• Begin job development activities by identifying employment opportunities in the community to secure community job placement; meet with host site department managers to explore internal host site placement upon exiting the program to ensure successful job placement.

Providing Supervision:

• Coordinate staff (Skills Trainers and other Employment Specialists as assigned, assistants, etc.) for participant internship sites and competitive placements
• Provide training to Project SEARCH staff in systematic instruction to ensure job coaching consistency among staff
• Provide supervision and feedback to staff assigned to work with the program
• Conduct performance reviews (or provide feedback when necessary) with all staff assigned to work directly with the program
• Promote a cohesive, encouraging working environment for all staff working with the program

Additional Duties:

• Keep files up to date with all appropriate forms and information; follow guidelines in file organization and confidentiality
• Participate in professional development activities such as conferences, in-services, etc. Display knowledge of and comply with PAEP and Northwestern Medicine/Central DuPage Hospital policies and procedures
• Be knowledgeable of the Model Fidelity that is used to implement Project SEARCH; use this as a guide to provide services to the program participants
• Maintain appropriate and professional demeanor towards co-workers, visitors, participants, supervisors, and all others you have contact with while working with the Project SEARCH program Complete other duties as assigned

Educational Qualifications:Bachelors’ Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Education, Special Education, Psychology or related field.

Work Hours:40 hours per week; Monday-Friday; 7:30am-3:30pm; however, must maintain a flexible working schedule based on the needs of program participants and other related activities of the program that may require evening and weekend hours.

Position is located at Northwestern Medicine/Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL.

Additional Preferred Qualifications/Skills:Excellent communication and collaboration skills, excellent organizational skills, ability to self-direct and to make decisions in absence of supervisor, computer skills, independent work ethic for self-management of schedule, utilize sound judgement and decision making skills, and work as a productive team member.

Additional Information:Must be able to provide or arrange own transportation for travel to and from work as well as community job sites.Must have valid drivers license and car insurance. Ability and willingness to tolerate light physical activity to include long periods of standing and heavy amounts of walking.