Employment Coach

Description

Responsibilities and Duties: Working under the supervision of the Employment Supervisor and in collaboration with Employment Specialists, the Employment Coach provides direct employment support services to individuals with disabilities participating in Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Medicaid Alternative Pathways (MAPs), Employment and Community First CHOICES (ECF), Department of Disability and Aging (DDA), and other employment-focused initiatives. The Employment Coach assists individuals in developing workplace skills, achieving employment goals, maintaining successful employment, and increasing independence through person-centered employment supports.

The Employment Coach is assigned a primary area of responsibility based upon organizational need, staff experience, training, and program requirements. Primary assignments may include MAPs, ECF, or DDA employment services, or a combination of employment programs. While Employment Coaches are expected to collaborate across employment initiatives and may provide services through multiple funding streams when needed, not all Employment Coaches will be responsible for delivering all employment services. 

The Employment Coach supports the implementation of employment plans developed in collaboration with individuals served, Employment Specialists, employers, families, and support teams while developing the knowledge, experience, and professional competencies necessary to advance within the Supported Employment profession.

MillarRich is a trauma-informed organization that values empathy, open communication, and respectful collaboration. The Employment Coach demonstrates a strong awareness of how trauma can impact individuals and communities and approaches their work with compassion, cultural humility, and a commitment to inclusivity.

Specific duties may include:

1. Provides individualized employment coaching and workplace support services to individuals with disabilities participating in employment and career development services;
2. Implements employment plans and support strategies developed in collaboration with Employment Specialists, individuals served, employers, families, and support teams;
3. Provides systematic instruction, task analysis, workplace training, accommodation implementation, assistive technology support, and natural support development to promote successful employment outcomes;
4. Assists individuals in developing workplace readiness skills, communication skills, self-advocacy, professionalism, time management, problem-solving abilities, and workplace independence;
5. Provides transportation training, travel training, and transportation support as necessary to promote successful access to employment and community opportunities;
6. Assists individuals in developing and maintaining positive workplace relationships with supervisors, coworkers, customers, and other community members; 
7. Monitors participant progress and provides coaching, feedback, encouragement, and support to promote employment success and increased independence;
8. Communicates effectively with employers, family members, guardians, Employment Specialists, referral sources, and support team members regarding participant progress, barriers, and support needs;
9. Assists Employment Specialists with vocational assessments, discovery activities, community-based assessments, job development efforts, employer engagement activities, employment planning, and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) service coordination in order to support participant outcomes and develop professional competencies within employment services;
10. Assists Employment Retention Specialists with employment stabilization activities, long-term employment supports, follow-along services, employer consultation, retention planning, and other ongoing support activities in order to support participant outcomes and develop professional competencies within long-term employment services;
11. Collaborates with Youth Employment Coaches, Youth Employment Specialists, Employment Specialists, schools, families, referral sources, and community partners to support transition-age youth and young adults entering adult employment services;
12. Assists individuals in accessing community resources, transportation options, benefits counseling resources, postsecondary opportunities, and employment-related supports in collaboration with the Employment Specialists;
13. Maintains accurate and timely service documentation, progress notes, employment records, and other required documentation in accordance with organizational and funding source requirements;
14. Participates in Employment Planning meetings, Person-Centered Support Planning meetings, Individual Support Plan meetings, transition planning meetings, and other support team meetings as assigned;
15. Maintains compliance with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), MAPs, ECF, DDA, and other applicable funding source requirements as related to assigned responsibilities;
16. Participates in ongoing training and professional development activities to maintain competency in Supported Employment, Customized Employment, Discovery, MAPs services, ECF services, DDA services, and other employment-related best practices;
17. Participates in department meetings, organizational initiatives, and quality improvement activities to support organizational goals and service excellence;
18. Promotes high satisfaction among persons served, family members, guardians, referral sources, employers, and community partners through proactive communication, responsiveness, and problem solving;
19. Maintains a professional appearance and presentation to effectively represent the agency within community and business settings. When working on employment sites, dresses appropriately for the environment and assigned responsibilities;
20. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as circumstances warrant.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics:

1. Bachelor’s degree in a human services field preferred. High School Diploma or equivalent required.
2. Six (6) months experience working with individuals with disabilities preferred.
3. Must possess or complete within one (1) month of employment the Training Resource Network (TRN) Job Coaching Training and 12-hour shadow-training requirement.
4. Knowledge of CPI techniques and/or behavior analysis preferred.
5. Completion of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Orientation and all other required employment service training associated with assigned programs and funding sources within established timelines.
6. Demonstrates an interest in employment services, career development, workforce participation, and supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving meaningful employment outcomes.
7. Ability to build positive relationships with individuals served, family members, employers, referral sources, coworkers, and community partners.
8. Ability to learn and apply principles of Supported Employment, Customized Employment, person-centered planning, workplace accommodations, and employment support strategies.
9. Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional development and advancement within employment services.
10. Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and effectively plan, organize, and follow through on multiple responsibilities while meeting established deadlines.
11. Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills.
12. Demonstrates active listening, critical observation, curiosity, and openness to giving and receiving feedback.
13. Demonstrates adaptability, assertiveness, initiative, resilience, patience, professionalism, and the ability to work effectively within a collaborative team environment.
14. Knowledge of computers, specifically Excel, Word, Outlook, and other technology platforms utilized for service delivery, documentation, reporting, scheduling, and communication.
15. Flexibility in assigned working hours, work locations, service areas, and program assignments.
16. Operation of a motor vehicle is required which includes proof of a valid driver's license, an ability to maintain automobile liability insurance as required by state law in Tennessee, and an ability to qualify as a driver under MillarRich, LLC insurance guidelines.