Cedar Rapids Community Schools
Transitional Alliance Program Specialist
Job Description
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Transition Alliance Program (TAP) specialist is responsible for coordinating various assessments, diagnostic services, job development with businesses, maintaining databases and job training for youth, maintaining the comprehensive TAP matrix to monitor all participants, assisting in skill development on and off the work site, job coaching, completing reports and evaluations and assisting individuals in accessing community resources. The TAP specialist will support the TAP Coordinators in providing training of skills necessary for successful competitive employment and independent living to individuals who qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation services, ages 15 to 25. The TAP Specialist will also provide community-based and school-based support.
RESPONSIBILITIES
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Communicate effectively with TAP participants, their parents and a wide variety of professionals
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Desire to work with young people with disabilities.
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Self-motivated, flexible and able to meet deadlines. Must be able to move from one duty or activity to the next independently.
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Able to work with individuals with a wide range of disabilities and from a variety of socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
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Valid driver's license to transport TAP participants.
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Assist in the development of individual plans for employment.
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Implement individual plans for employment.
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Able to work independently but under the direction of the TAP Coordinator and TAP Facilitator
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Able to keep accurate, up to date records and utilize EXCEL to adequately maintain the program matrix.
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Able to deal with problems and crisis situations as needed.
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Able to develop positive relationships with a wide variety of individuals from a diverse population.
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Must promote a positive attitude regarding TAP, Vocational Rehabilitation and Cedar Rapids Community School District to schools, families, businesses and the public in general.
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Must have computer skills necessary to perform job searches, assist students with on-line and vocational and educational activities on the computer.
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Collaborate with job coaches, counselors, and special education teachers
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Provide job coaching and training activities on work sites, complete evaluation and exploration activities at job shadowing sites.
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Assist participants in learning skills and completing activities necessary to obtain and be successful in competitive employment as directed by the TAP Coordinators. These skills may include:
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writing resumes
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completing job applications
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obtaining information on job openings
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interviewing
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accessing organizations and agencies which assist in job placement and/or referral
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accessing training or educational programs
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learning actual, specific job skills
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coaching the participant at the job site
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learning and utilizing problem solving skills necessary to be successful on the job
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Assist participants in learning skills and completing activities necessary to live independently in the community as directed by the TAP Coordinators. These may include:
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attaining skills necessary to obtain a driver's license
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accessing community agencies and support services
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completing forms and paperwork as necessary
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accessing the MET bus system, reading schedules, etc.
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obtaining insurance and financial information and completing work necessary to meet needs with such
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gaining problem solving skills necessary to be successful in independent living
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Complete other record keeping and clerical duties as directed by the TAP Coordinator. These may include:
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maintain Excel Matrix for all TAP participants
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answering the telephone, taking messages, scheduling appointments and sharing information about the program
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completing reports and participant program goal information
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filing and other office tasks as needed
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work with the district's computer based records system
QUALIFICATIONS
The applicant must:
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Have a valid driver's license
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BA/BS in Education or a Human Services related area.
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Previous experience in the area of transitioning of individuals into the world of work and who have Job Coaching Certification is preferred
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Previous experience working with individuals with disabilities is preferred
ENVIRONMENTAL AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle and/or feel objects, tools or controls; talk and hear. The employee frequently must squat, stoop or kneel, reach above the head and forward 0 -24 inches and on occasion up to 36 inches. The employee continuously uses hand strength to grasp items. The employee will frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk more than the average person while performing the duties of this job. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds 0 - 12 feet and occasionally up to 20 feet, such as curriculum materials, desks, chairs, and boxes. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as tables and carts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus while supervising students and working with computers, written materials, reports, assessment data, etc.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. The position requires the commitment of professional working hours that may require the employee to extend beyond the school day specific to the building they support. The employee will frequently work in different areas of the classroom including in/at desks, on or near the floor, standing, in movement while supervising indoor and outdoor activities, etc. The employee will usually work in indoor temperatures but will work outdoors or when supervising students outside of the classroom.
INTELLECTUAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and implement ideas contained in technical documents, assessment data, professional journals and regulations. Ability to effectively write reports and communications to students, colleagues, parents and staff. Ability to effectively present information orally and respond to questions from administrators, teachers, staff and students. Ability to solve problems effectively. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
The information contained in this job description is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individual holding this position and additional duties may be assigned. The Cedar Rapids Community School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.
Federal law obligates an employer to provide reasonable accommodation(s) for the known disabilities of applicants, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship on the employer. If you or someone you know requires accommodation in the hiring process, contact the Executive Director of Human Resources, at 319-558-2421.
