Employment Coach - Laguna Hills

Integrated Resources Institute•Laguna Hills, CA

About The Position

The Employment Coach mentors and supports individuals with developmental disabilities at their job sites and helps individuals seeking employment in the Orange County area. The role focuses on job development and on-the-job support, helping people secure competitive integrated employment aligned with their skills and interests. The coach works with each person and their circle of support to build employment skills, access transportation and community resources, maintain employment and productivity, and create meaningful daily schedules. Building friendly, professional, respectful relationships with people served and supporting positive relationships with coworkers, roommates, neighbors, employers, and community members are central to the role. Under the direction of the Support Manager and in collaboration with the leadership team, the Employment Coach provides mentorship and services prioritizing health, safety, and quality of life. Supports are guided by PBIS and instructional support strategies. The coach gathers information to inform individualized support plans, uses digital tools such as Zoom, online learning platforms, and online job searches, and maintains effective relationships with employers and volunteer sites. The position is part-time, with a varied schedule of up to 16 hours per week and availability for evenings, weekends, and holidays as necessary. The job is based in Laguna Hills, California, with travel of up to 25%. Starting pay is $24 per hour, with mileage and cell phone reimbursement and job-placement bonus incentives of $100–$600, prorated. A comprehensive paid training program is provided at hire and on an ongoing basis.

Requirements

Strong organization, communication, and writing skills.
Proficiency with computers and online platforms, as some services are provided remotely.
Flexible availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as necessary.
Ability to drive an automobile to perform job responsibilities.
Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, with or without reasonable accommodation, including variable sitting, standing, and walking; occasional bending, stooping, stair climbing, reaching above shoulder level, balancing, pushing, pulling, and moving through office or community settings; and occasional lifting and carrying of items up to 10 pounds.
Ability to use both hands for part of the workday for tasks such as typing, writing, and using computers or mobile devices, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Sufficient visual and hearing capacity, with or without assistive devices, to perform essential job functions and communicate effectively.
Commitment to full inclusion of people with disabilities, integrated employment, self-advocacy, and person-centered planning.

Nice To Haves

Two years of college or equivalent experience.
Job-development and on-the-job-support experience.
Experience supporting people with disabilities, preferably in community-integrated settings.
Experience with positive behavior support training.

Responsibilities

Mentor and support individuals with developmental disabilities at job sites and in pursuing employment.
Support job development, including resume building, practice interviews, employability skills, customized employment activities, contacting prospective employers, and facilitating job applications.
Support transportation to and from work and access to the community.
Help individuals maintain employment and productivity, discover their interests, skills, and employment goals, and create meaningful daily schedules with their circles of support.
Carry out directives from the Support Manager, Director of Services, Chief Executive Officer, and Board of Directors, and ensure the service and support needs of people served are met.
Provide mentorship and services that prioritize health, safety, and quality of life, using PBIS and instructional support strategies.
Use digital tools, including Zoom, online learning platforms, and online job-search tools, to support long-term employment goals.
Maintain effective business relationships with employers and volunteer sites.
Practice the organization’s mission and person-centered values; interact respectfully and with dignity, assume competence, and build esteem.
Implement community-integrated employment services and develop integrated work schedules and competitive employment placements.
Encourage meaningful employment-related activities and conduct job-site analysis before, during, and after employment.
Implement adaptations and devices based on individual needs, service-plan goals, SMART objectives, and positive behavior strategies.
Provide typical and specialized healthcare support as needed, including medication, hygiene, toiletry, and feeding assistance.
Conduct task analysis and make data-based training decisions.
Complete required documentation, including daily care notes, clock-in/out records, and employee personnel-file updates.
Attend and complete staff-development training and other assigned trainings.
Communicate important updates about people served to supervisors, circles of support, and other stakeholders.
Dress professionally and appropriately for assigned tasks, and use proper emergency strategies; report emergencies to the Support Manager as necessary.
Collaborate with individuals served, the Lead Employment Coach, the Support Manager, and circles of support on customized employment activities.
Shadow and train other coaches supporting a specific individual.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Support Manager, Director of Services, or CEO.

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees only.
Lifestyle Spending Account.
Employee Assistance Program.
Mileage reimbursement.
Paid time off for full-time employees only.
Paid sick leave.
Employee referral program.
Flexible Spending Account for full-time employees only.
Retirement plan.
Company-paid life insurance and long-term disability for full-time employees only.
Flexible schedules.
Cell phone reimbursement.
Job-placement bonus incentives of $100–$600, prorated.
Comprehensive paid training at hire and on an ongoing basis.