ASUA is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Job Coach to provide direct support to a young adult with a disability in a community-based employment setting. This position focuses on helping the individual develop the skills, independence, and confidence necessary to be successful in the workplace while promoting meaningful participation within the community.
The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in dynamic community and workplace environments and must be able to effectively support individuals who may demonstrate challenging behaviors. Responsibilities include proactively teaching, modeling, and reinforcing appropriate workplace, social, communication, and self-management skills; implementing behavior support strategies; and responding calmly and professionally to behavioral challenges when they arise. The Job Coach will play a critical role in helping the individual navigate workplace expectations, build positive relationships with supervisors and coworkers, and achieve long-term employment success.
Successful candidates will possess strong interpersonal skills, patience, flexibility, sound judgment, and a commitment to supporting individuals in reaching their highest level of independence.
Job Description: Job Coach (Bridge Program)
Reports To Senior Director of Bridge Programming; Dotted line to Bridge Behavior Supports Coordinator
Status Full-time, Non-exempt
Takes Direction From Executive Team, Strategic Leadership Team
Calendar Academic Calendar
Position Summary
The Job Coach (Bridge Program) supports students/adults ages 16–21 participating in ASUA's Bridge Program through community-based instruction, work-based learning, vocational training, independent living instruction, and transition programming. This position works directly with individuals with autism and other qualifying exceptionalities in educational, workplace, and community environments.
The Job Coach serves as a critical member of the interdisciplinary team by supporting the implementation of behavioral, clinical, vocational, and transition programming. Through individualized instruction, coaching, and support, the Job Coach assists students in developing the skills necessary for employment, independent living, community participation, and successful adult outcomes.
The Job Coach provides direct support in community-based work settings, ASUA-operated businesses, transportation training activities, independent living experiences, and educational environments while promoting increasing independence, workplace readiness, and self-advocacy. The position requires frequent travel within the community and active participation in workplace and vocational training environments.
QualificationsRequired Qualifications
- Minimum of sixty (60) college credits from an accredited institution or an Associate's degree; Bachelor's degree preferred.
- Degree coursework in Education, Psychology, Human Services, Social Work, Special Education, Rehabilitation, Applied Behavior Analysis, or a related field preferred.
- Current Act 34, Act 114, and Act 151 clearances.
- Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
- Ability to travel between ASUA locations and community-based work sites.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.
- Experience implementing behavior support plans and collecting behavioral data.
- Experience supporting vocational, transition, community-based, or work-based learning programs.
- Knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), positive behavior support, and trauma-informed practices.
- Experience utilizing AAC devices and assistive technology.
Essential FunctionsSupport and Instruction for Individuals
- Provide direct support in individual, small group, and community-based settings. Most settings function under a 1:3 Job Coach to Student/Client model.
- Support with developing vocational, social, communication, adaptive, and independent living skills.
- Facilitate participation in workplace, educational, and community environments.
- Support the use of assistive technology, AAC devices, visual supports, and other individualized accommodations.
- Assist in developing self-advocacy, self-management, and workplace readiness skills.
- Promote independence while systematically reducing support when appropriate.
- Assist with lunch, community outings, transportation activities, and other student support needs, including personal hygiene, toileting, etc.
- Assist in maintaining organized instructional, vocational, and workplace environments.
Work-Based Learning and Vocational Training
- Support participation in ASUA-operated businesses, community-based employment experiences, and vocational training activities.
- Teach and model workplace expectations, professional conduct, workplace communication, and social interactions.
- Assist in learning job tasks, workplace routines, and vocational responsibilities.
- Support with developing work stamina, task completion, time management, and organizational skills.
- Provide individualized coaching and feedback related to workplace performance.
- Assist in navigating workplace challenges and problem-solving situations.
- Support transportation training and community navigation activities as assigned.
Behavioral and Clinical Support
- Implement behavior support plans, community behavior support plans, sensory supports, and related interventions with fidelity, while maintaining a focus on building real-life and relevant skills.
- Collaborate with team members to support success in educational, community, and workplace settings.
- Monitor behavior and provide proactive support to promote positive outcomes.
- Utilize evidence-based practices and trauma-informed approaches when supporting students.
- Support with developing emotional regulation, coping, flexibility, and social communication skills.
- Ensure student safety across all instructional, community, and workplace environments.
Data Collection and Documentation
- Collect behavioral, vocational, adaptive, and academic data with fidelity.
- Maintain accurate documentation of performance and progress.
- Complete data collection and reporting as directed.
- Monitor progress toward IEP goals, transition goals, and vocational objectives.
- Assist with vocational assessments, workplace observations, and progress monitoring activities.
- Maintain required documentation related to community-based instruction and workplace experiences.
Collaboration and Team Participation
- Collaborate with teachers, job coaches, behavior specialists, related service providers, families, and leadership staff to support success.
- Participate in team meetings, training opportunities, and professional development activities.
- Support implementation of interdisciplinary programming across educational, behavioral, clinical, and vocational domains.
- Communicate professionally with staff, families, employers, community partners, and other stakeholders as directed.
- Assist with transition planning activities and implementation of individualized transition goals.
Additional Duties
- Perform other duties as assigned by administration.
- To read and abide by the Employee Handbook including updates and changes
- To attend all mandatory meetings, including those that fall outside of regularly scheduled school hours and as described in the Employee Handbook
- Adhere to ASUA’s policies, procedures, and methodologies
- This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The individual in this position will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by any member of the Executive Team or other appropriate administrator.
- Travel between locations
Competencies
- Commitment to ASUA's mission and collaborative approach to programming.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to build positive relationships with students, families, staff, employers, and community partners.
- Ability to implement instructional and behavioral programming with consistency and fidelity.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to collect accurate data and maintain documentation.
- Ability to remain calm and exercise sound judgment during crisis situations.
- Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in dynamic educational and community settings.
- Demonstrated cultural competency and commitment to serving diverse populations.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, squat, kneel, climb stairs, reach, and move throughout educational, workplace, and community environments.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to assist students with mobility, adaptive, and self-help needs as required.
- Ability to participate in community-based instruction and vocational activities throughout the workday.
- Adequate vision, hearing, and communication abilities necessary to support students and ensure safety.
Work Environment
This position works within educational, vocational, community-based, and workplace environments. The Job Coach regularly supports students at ASUA locations, community businesses, work sites, transportation training locations, retail settings, recreational settings, and other community environments.
The position requires frequent travel between locations and active participation in vocational training experiences, including retail operations, production environments, procurement activities, laundry services, food preparation activities, transportation training, community navigation, and independent living instruction.
The Job Coach may work in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments and may be exposed to varying temperatures, weather conditions, noise levels, community settings, and workplace conditions associated with vocational training experiences.
The position requires flexibility, physical stamina, situational awareness, and the ability to ensure student safety while promoting increasing independence across all environments.
Mission Alignment
The Job Coach supports ASUA's mission of preparing students to become engaged participants in society by providing innovative, individualized, and meaningful support across educational, vocational, community, and independent living environments. Through authentic work-based learning and transition experiences, the Job Coach helps students develop the skills necessary for successful adult outcomes, employment, independence, and community participation.
ASUA reserves the right to update, revise, or change this job description and related duties at any time.
Pay: From $40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- Working with individuals with autism: 2 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
