Project SEARCH Skills Trainer

Company: Arc of Howard
Location: Ellicott City
Posted on: May 14, 2022

Job Description:

Project SEARCH Howard County

Skill Builder

Duties and Responsibilities: Support and train student interns during the Project SEARCH year to prepare for competitive, integrated employment after the program. Provide job development and skills assessment activities during the Project SEARCH year, individualized follow-along support to post-hires for one year after the program has been completed. Help transition incoming families into adult services. Majority of time spent will be in the Project SEARCH classroom, at internship sites, or in the community.

During Project SEARCH:

* Support interns in current Project SEARCH class during the school year (August-June)
* Assist with baseline 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 accommodations 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 supports 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 supports 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

After Project SEARCH:

* Work collaboratively with Advocate, 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

Keywords: Arc of Howard, Ellicott City , Project SEARCH Skills Trainer, Other , Ellicott City, Maryland