Program Asst,Job Coach,C

Orange County Public Schools•Orlando, FL

About The Position

Under direction, develops and implements a program aimed at securing and maintaining employment for at-risk students of the school district. Works directly with students to help modify and control classroom behaviors, with a focus on employability training. Depending on the assigned functional area, accompanies students to business and employment sites, oversees work training, and assists them in acquiring job skills. Essential functions are performed according to the assigned functional area, along with other related work as directed. The role may provide direct supervision to students with exceptional or special education needs or moderate to severe behavioral problems, as specified in their individual education plans. It supports students’ development of independent work skills and transitions to least restrictive environments, while monitoring behavior and activities to help ensure safety. The position also requires maintaining accurate program information and records, keeping up to date with relevant technology, and attending district-supported training as needed. Applicants must be highly qualified before starting employment with Orange County Public Schools. The district no longer permits non-certified applicants to obtain highly-qualified status through the Educational Paraprofessional Academy. Passing a third-party paraprofessional certification exam, such as the ParaPro Assessment, may substitute for the educational requirement.

Requirements

Associate’s degree or higher, or at least 60 semester hours from an accredited institution of higher education; official transcript required to validate education.
Two years of progressively knowledgeable and responsible experience working with special education students, emphasizing appropriate behaviors and work/life skills for employability.
Demonstrated administrative support skills and ability to communicate program goals and objectives effectively.
Certifications or training in CPR, CPI, first aid, behavioral management, and aggression control techniques, as applicable to the assigned functional area.
Must be highly qualified before starting employment with Orange County Public Schools.
A third-party paraprofessional certification exam, such as the ParaPro Assessment, may substitute for the educational requirement.
Ability to operate modern office and computer equipment and related peripherals.
Physical ability to perform tasks that may involve very heavy effort, including climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling heavy objects up to 100 pounds and occasionally heavier items.

Responsibilities

Respond to internal and external customers in a timely, accurate, courteous, and empathetic manner, representing OCPS positively.
Provide direct supervision to students with exceptional or special education needs, or moderate to severe behavioral problems, as specified in their individual education plans.
Accompany students to appointments, job sites, and other off-campus activities to assess social and employability development needs.
Confer with teachers, administrators, and other members of student educational teams to identify behaviors requiring modification.
Act as an advocate between site personnel and students to maintain open communication and support individual education plan and employment objectives.
Plan, develop, and implement strategies to build students’ independent work skills.
Accompany students to job sites, observe their performance, oversee work training, and provide instruction and assistance.
Assist with the collection and maintenance of records and data relevant to targeted program students.
Develop and provide prerequisite skills training to prepare students for transitions to least restrictive environments.
Monitor student activities and behavior during program activities to support physical and environmental safety and report critical or behavioral incidents.
Provide explanations, examples, and instruction consistent with program objectives and standards, reinforcing skills according to individual and group needs.
Keep current with job-appropriate technology used by OCPS and attend district-supported training to maintain required technology skills.
Maintain timely and accurate information as part of job responsibilities.
Perform related duties as directed.