Instructor, Project SEARCH

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania•Pittsburgh, PA

2d•$18 - $19•Onsite

About The Position

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania and North Central West Virginia is a nonprofit organization that funds job training, education, and other community programs by selling donated clothing and household items in Goodwill stores and online. We offer life-changing work on a mission-minded team. We are 1,000 working as one and each of us is essential to helping our community thrive. For three years running, Goodwill has been named to Forbes’ list of America’s “Most Inspiring Companies”. We offer a wide range of career opportunities ranging from entry-level to management in retail, human services, and administrative fields. Learn more about working at Goodwill. [https://www.goodwillswpa.org/work-at-goodwill/] You can help. We can show you how. DIVISION OVERVIEW: Goodwill SWPA’s Human Services division is responsible for making Goodwill’s overarching vision a reality: enhancing people’s dignity and quality of life by strengthening communities and helping those with barriers to employment reach their full potential through workforce education and support. The Human Services division fulfills this mission providing high quality, outcome-oriented services for program participants by utilizing a comprehensive service delivery model covering a broad array of social programs. DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW: Within the Human Services Division is the Disability Services department. Disability Services is integral to achieving Goodwill’s mission of helping individuals with disabilities realize their full potential and lead fulfilling, independent lives. Support programs provided by the Disability Services department are designed to guide participants to higher rates of self-sufficiency. The Adult focused programming in Disability Services centers on creating opportunities for people with disabilities to gain skills, volunteer, train for work, and obtain employment in their community. In addition to workforce development and community integration, Disability Services also provides retirement options for eligible participants. Participants enrolled in work and community focused programs receive both job readiness and skills training to prepare them for employment across a variety of industries, such as retail, food service, housekeeping, production, and more. Disability Services also includes specialized programs for placement services for individuals with mental health issues and or intellectual disabilities. PROGRAM SUMMARY: The Project SEARCH Transition-to-Work Program is a unique, business-led, one-year employment preparation program for students ages 18 -22 that takes place entirely at the workplace. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through work-site rotations, culminating in individualized job development. Students participate in three targeted rotations at the host business, UPMC. The programs Employment Specialist provides job readiness services, job development, job coaching and work performance monitoring/support for young adults with disabilities, throughout UPMC and Allegheny County businesses. POSITION SUMMARY: The Instructor for Project SEARCH will plan, direct, and coordinate job readiness and related transition services, including facilitation of job readiness workshops, coordination of work experiences, and management of key stakeholder relations. This role works as part of a team with service providers, agency staff, host business staff and school districts to implement Project SEARCH at the host site. The Instructor also ensures implementation of individual students’ transition plan and works with the host business, and industry to identify and build work site rotations that meet their competitive employment needs.

Requirements

Bachelors degree in Education or other related field AND 2+ years of relevant experience.
Experience working with individuals who experience barriers to employment.
Qualified candidates must have a valid driver's license, active insurance policy, and reliable transportation for local travel.
Candidates are expected to complete background checks assigned by Goodwill SWPA, including a National Criminal Background check, prior to their first day of employment.
Candidates are expected to provide current, valid clearances (Child Abuse Clearance, FBI Fingerprints Clearance, and PATCH) prior to their first day of employment.
Tuberculosis testing series required within 90 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Experience with transitional services and/or youth.
Teaching certification, or, Special Education certification

Responsibilities

Perform duties and activities that are conducive to effective and efficient daily operations, including but not limited to supply management, facility and equipment maintenance, and safety compliance.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of and develop relationships with program partners and sites (hospitals, schools, family members, etc.) to meet the needs of individual students, including but not limited to physical, social, cultural and other livelihood (such as transportation, food, housing needs).
Adhere to and promote standards of the host business and/or competitive work site in order to promote job productivity and efficiency.
Prepare and maintain records and reports, such as participation data, or other information needed to gage effectiveness of services.
Communicate with host business to ensure adequate work sites so that students will participate in 3 rotations over the course of the school year to build marketable, competitive skills.
Develop service plan, support plan implementation, and ensure all applicable regulations, requirements, laws, policies, etc. are followed.
Evaluate participant skills and abilities to ensure appropriate job matching; monitor progress and make necessary adjustments to plan as needed to ensure a quality experience and goal attainment.
Provide direct service and support to participants, such as training on employment, employability, self-sufficiency or related topics issues; support services referrals; identification of workplace accommodations or adaptations; conducting needs evaluations, or resolving related issues, as needed and requested by participant or host site, to meet their individual needs.
Evaluate available resources to ensure that opportunities are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.
Be aware of and follow guidelines for all applicable regulatory entities such as Department of Public welfare, Department of Labor, and PA Department of Education.